CHAPTER XIX
Whate'er thou givest, generous let it be.
Euripides.
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When it was rumored that Artaphernes had ransomed
Eudora and Geta, by offering the entire sum
demanded for the ivory, many a jest circulated in the
agoras at the expense of the old man who had given
such an enormous price for a handsome slave; but
when it became known, that he had, in some wonderful
and mysterious manner, discovered a long-lost daughter,
the tide of public feeling was changed.
Alcibiades at once remitted his claim, which in fact
never had any foundation in justice; he having accepted
two statues in payment for the ivory, previous to
the death of Phidias. He likewise formally asked
Eudora in marriage; humbly apologizing for the outrage
he had committed, and urging the vehemence of
his love as an extenuation of the fault.
Artaphernes had power to dispose of his daughter
without even making any inquiry concerning the state
of her affections; but the circumstances of his past life
induced him to forbear the exercise of his power.
“My dear child,” said he, “it was my own misfortune
to suffer by an ill-assorted marriage. In early
youth, my parents united me with Artaynta, a Persian
lady, whose affections had been secretly bestowed upon
a near kinsman. Her parents knew of this fact, but
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mine were ignorant of it. It ended in wretchedness
and disgrace. To avoid the awful consequences of
guilt, she and her lover eloped to some distant land,
where I never attempted to follow them.
Sometime after, the Great King was graciously
pleased to appoint me Governor of the sea-coast in
Asia Minor. I removed to Ephesus, where I saw and
loved your blessed mother, the beautiful Antiope,
daughter of Diophanes, priest of Zeus. I saw her
accidentally at a fountain, and watched her unobserved
while she bathed the feet of her little sister. Though
younger than myself, she reciprocated the love she had
inspired. Her father consented to our union; and for
a few years I enjoyed as great happiness as Oromasdes
ever bestows on mortals. You were our only child;
named Artaminta, in remembrance of my mother. You
were scarcely two years old, when you and your nurse
suddenly disappeared. As several other women and
children were lost at the same time, we supposed that
you were stolen by pirates. All efforts to ascertain
your fate proved utterly fruitless. As moon after moon
passed away, bringing no tidings of our lost treasure,
Antiope grew more and more hopeless. She was a
gentle, tender-hearted being, that complained little and
suffered much. At last, she died broken-hearted.”
After remaining in silent thoughtfulness for a few
moments, he added: “Of my two sons by Artaynta,
one died in childhood; the other was killed in battle,
before I came to Athens. I had never ceased my
exertions to discover you; but after I became childless,
it was the cherished object of existence. Some
information received from Phænician sailors led to the
conclusion that I owed my misfortune to Greek pirates;
and when the Great King informed me that he had
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need of services in Athens, I cheerfully undertook the
mission.
Having suffered severely in my own marriage, I
would not willingly endanger your happiness by any
unreasonable exertion of parental authority. Alcibiades
is handsome, rich, and of high rank. How do you regard
his proposal of marriage?”
The color mounted high in Eudora's cheek, and she
answered hastily, “As easily could I consent to be the
wife of Tereus, after his brutal outrage on the helpless
Philomela. I have nothing but contempt to bestow on
the man who persecuted me when I was friendless, and
flatters me when I have wealthy friends.”
Artaphernes replied, “I knew not how far you might
consider violent love an excuse for base proceedings;
but I rejoice to see that you have pride becoming your
noble birth. For another reason it gives me happiness
to find you ill-disposed toward this match; for duty
will soon call me to Persia, and having just recovered
you in a manner so miraculous, it would be a grevious
sacrifice to relinquish you so soon. But am I so
fortunate as to find you willing to return with me.
Are there no strong ties that bind your heart to
Athens?”
Perceiving that Eudora blushed deeply, he added, in
an inquiring tone, “Clinias told me to-day that Phidias
wished to unite you with that gifted artist, his nephew
Pandænus?”
The maiden replied, “I have many reasons to be
grateful to Pandænus; and it was painful to refuse
compliance with the wishes of my benefactor; but if
Phidias had commanded me to obey him in this instance,
my happiness would have been sacrificed. Of all
countries in the world, there is none I so much wish to
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visit as Persia. Of that you may rest assured, my
father.”
The old man looked upon her affectionately, and his
eyes filled with tears, as he exclaimed, “Oromasdes
be praised that I am once more permitted to hear that
welcome sound! No music is so pleasant to my ears
as that word—father. Zoroaster tells us that children
are a bridge joining this earth to a heavenly paradise,
filled with fresh springs and blooming gardens. Blessed
indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call
him father! But, my daughter, why is it that the commands
of Phidias would have made you unhappy?
Speak frankly, Artaminta; lest hereafter there should
be occasion to mourn that we misunderstood each
other.”
Eudora then told all the particulars of her attachment
to Philæmon, and her brief infatuation with regard
to Alcibiades. Artaphernes evinced no displeasure at
the disclosure; but spoke of Philæmon with great respect
and affection. He dwelt earnestly upon the
mischievous effects of such free customs as Aspasia
sought to introduce, and warmly eulogized the strictness
and complete seclusion of Persian education.
When Eudora expressed fears that she might never be
able to regain Philæmon's love, he gazed on her beautiful
countenance with fond admiration, and smiled incredulously
as he turned away.
The proposal of Alcibiades was civilly declined; the
promised sum paid to his faithless steward and the
necklace, given by Phidias, redeemed.
Hylax had been forcibly carried to Salamis with his
young mistress, lest his sagacity should lead to a discovery
of her prison. When Eudora escaped from
the island, she had reluctantly left him in her
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apartment, in order to avoid the danger that might arise
from any untimely noise; but as soon as her own
safety was secured, her first thoughts were for the
recovery of this favorite animal, the early gift of Philæ
mon. The little captive had pined and moaned continually,
during their brief separation; and when he
returned, it seemed as if his boisterous joy could not
sufficiently manifest itself in gambols and caresses.
When Artaphernes was convinced that he had really
found his long-lost child, the impulse of gratitude led
to very early inquiries for Pandænus. The artist had
not yet re-appeared; and all Athens was filled with
conjectures concerning his fate. Eudora still suspected
that Alcibiades had secreted him, for the same
reason that he had claimed Geta as a slave; for it
was sufficiently obvious that he had desired, as far
as possible, to deprive her of all assistance and protection.
The event proved her suspicions well founded. On
the fourth day after her escape from Salamis, Pandænus
came to congratulate Artaphernes, and half in anger,
half in laughter, told the particulars of his story. He
had been seized as he returned home at night, and had
been forcibly conveyed to the mansion of Eurysaces,
where he was kept a close prisoner, with the promise
of being released whenever he finished a picture, which
Alcibiades had long desired to obtain. This was a
representation of Europa, just entering the ocean on
the back of the beautiful bull, which she and her unsuspecting
companions had crowned with garlands.
At first, the artist resisted, and swore by Phæbus
Apollo that he would not be thus forced into the service
of any man; but an unexpected circumstance changed
his resolution.
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There was a long, airy gallery, in which he was
allowed to take exercise any hour of the day. In some
places, an open-work partition, richly and curiously
wrought by the skillful hand of Callicrates, separated
this gallery from the outer balustrade of the building.
During his walks, Pandænus often heard sounds of
violent grief from the other side of the screen. Curiosity
induced him to listen and inquire the cause. A
sad, sweet voice answered, “I am Cleonica, daughter
of a noble Spartan. Taken captive in war, and sold to
Alcibiades, I weep for my dishonored lot; for much I
fear it will bring the grey hairs of my mother to an untimely
grave.”
This interview led to another, and another; and
though the mode of communication was imperfect, the
artist was enabled to perceive that the captive maiden
was a tall, queenly figure, with a rich profusion of
sunny hair, indicating a fair and fresh complexion.
The result was a promise to paint the desired picture,
provided he might have the Spartan slave as a recompense.
Alcibiades, equally solicitous to obtain the painting,
and to prolong the seclusion of Pandænus, and being
then eager in another pursuit, readily consented to the
terms proposed. After Eudora's sudden change of
fortune, being somewhat ashamed of the publicity of
his conduct, and desirous not to lose entirely the good
opinion of Artaphernes, he gave the artist his liberty,
simply requiring the fulfilment of his promise.
“And what are your intentions with regard to this
fair captive?” inquired the Persian, with a significant
smile.
With some degree of embarrassment, Pandænus
answered, “I came to ask your protection; and that
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Eudora might for the present consider her as a sister,
until I can restore her to her family.”
“It shall be so,” replied Artaphernes; “but this is
a very small part of the debt I owe the nephew of
Phidias. Should you hereafter have a favor to ask of
Cleonica's noble family, poverty shall be no obstruction
to your wishes. I have already taken measures
to purchase for you a large estate in Elis, and to remit
yearly revenues, which will I trust be equal to your
wishes. I have another favor to ask, in addition to
the many claims you already have upon me. Among
the magnificent pictures that adorn the Pæcile, I have
not observed the sculptor of your gods. I pray you
exert your utmost skill in a painting of Phidias crowned
by the Muses; that I may place it on those walls,
a public monument of my gratitude to that illustrious
man.
“Of his statues and drawings I have purchased all
that can be bought in Athens. The weeping Panthea,
covering the body of Abradates with her mantle, is
destined for my royal and munificent master. By the
kindness of Pericles, I have obtained for myself the
beautiful group, representing my precious little Artaminta
caressing the kid, in that graceful attitude which
first attracted the attention of her benefactor. For the
munificent Eleans, I have reserved the Graceful Three,
which your countrymen have named the presiding
deities over benevolent actions. All the other statues
and drawings of your illustrious kinsman are at your
disposal. Nay, do not thank me, young man. Mine is
still the debt; and my heart will be ever grateful.”
The exertions of Clinias, although they proved unavailing,
were gratefully acknowledged by the present
of a large silver bowl, on which the skillful artificer,
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Mys, had represented, with exquisite delicacy, the
infant Dionysus watched by the nymphs of Naxos.
In the midst of this generosity, the services of Geta
and Mibra were not forgotten. The bribe given to the
steward was doubled in the payment, and an offer made
to establish them in any part of Greece, or Persia,
where they wished to reside.
A decided preference was given to Elis, as the only
place where they could be secure from the ravages of
war. A noble farm, in the neighborhood of Proclus,
was accordingly purchased for them, well stocked with
herds and furnished with all agricultural and household
conveniences. Geta, having thus become an owner of
the soil, dropped the brief name by which he had been
known in slavery, and assumed the more sonorous appellation
of Philophidias.
Dione, old as she was, overcame her fear of perils
by land and sea, and resolved to follow her young
mistress into Persia.
Before a new moon had begun its course, Pandænus
fulfilled his intention of returning to Olympia, in company
with the Lacedæmonian ambassador and his train.
Cleonica, attended by Geta and Mibra, travelled under
the same protection. Artaphernes sent to Proclus four
noble horses and a Bactrian camel, together with seven
minæ as a portion for Zoila. For Pterilaüs, likewise,
was a sum of money sufficient to maintain him ten
years in Athens, that he might gratify his ardent desire
to become the disciple of Plato. Eudora sent her
little playmate a living peacock, which proved even
more acceptable than her flock of marble sheep with
their painted shepherd. To Melissa was sent a long,
affectionate epistle, with the dying bequest of Philothea,
and many a valuable token of Eudora's gratitude.
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Although a brilliant future was opening before her,
the maiden's heart was very sad, when she bade a last
farewell to the honest and faithful attendants, who
had been with her through so many changing scenes,
and aided her in the hour of her utmost need.
The next day after their departure was spent by the
Persian in the worship of Mithras, and prayers to
Oromasdes. Eudora, in remembrance of her vision,
offered thanksgiving and sacrifice to Phœbus and Pan;
and implored the deities of ocean to protect the Phœ
nician galley in which they were about to depart from
Athens.
These ceremonies being performed, Artaphernes
and his weeping daughter visited the studio of Myron,
who, in compliance with their orders, had just finished
the design of a beautiful monument to Paralus and
Philothea, on which were represented two doves sleeping
upon garlands.
For the last time, Eudora poured oblations of milk
and honey, and placed fragrant flowers with ringlets of
her hair upon the sepulchre of her gentle friend; then,
with many tears, she bade a long farewell to scenes
rendered sacred by the remembrane, of their mutual
love.
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Child, Lydia Maria Francis, 1802-1880 [1836], Philothea (Otis, Broaders & Co., Boston) [word count] [eaf046].
