Part 18

Nature itself seemed charmed and animated by his presence, and the nymphs made his company their chief desire. It was not long before the winged deity pierced him with his arrows, and Orpheus loved the nymph Eurydice, the only one whose charms touched the melodious musician; with her his happiness was made perfect by an union, at which Hymen presided.

This happiness, however, was not destined to last very long, for Aristaeus became enamoured of the musician's bride, and with all the violence of an illicit passion, sought to win her from the bridegroom's affections. Eurydice resisted and fled; but as she fled from him, a serpent stung her with so deadly a bite, that she died on the field. {208}

Deep was the despair felt by Orpheus at his unexpected loss, and the daring determination was formed by him to recover her, or perish in the attempt.

"His own despair the very stones admire And rolling follow his melodious lyre, He forced the heart of hardest oak to groan, And made fierce tigers leave their rage and moan."

With his resistless lyre in his hands, he crossed the Styx, penetrated into the infernal regions, and gained admission to the presence of Pluto! Here the power of his genius was yet more eminently exhibited; for even the tortures of Hell gave way to it.

"At his powerful song the very seats Of Erebus were moved; the retreats Of all the ghosts were opened, and they swarm Like bees in clusters, when the sun grows warm!"

Not only was the god of the infernal regions delighted, but the very wheel of Ixion paused; the stone of Sisyphus rested, as they listened to its sounds: the cooling water reached Tantalus' burning mouth, and even the Furies relented.

"Already had he passed the courts of Death, And charmed with sacred verse the powers beneath; While Hell with silent admiration hung, On the soft music of his harp and tongue; No longer Tantalus essayed to sip The springs that fled from his deluded lip; Their urn the fifty maids no longer fill, Ixion leant and listened on his wheel, And Sysiphus' stone for once stood still; The ravenous vulture had forsook his meal, And Titius felt his growing liver heal; Relenting fiends to torture souls forbore, And Furies wept who never wept before. {209} All Hell in harmony was heard to move, With equal sweetness as the spheres above. The wondrous numbers softened all beneath Hell, and the inmost flinty seats of death: Snakes round the Furies heads did upward rear, And seemed to listen to the pleasing air, While fiery Styx in milder streams did roll, And Cerberus gaped, but yet forbore to howl, No longer was the charming prayer denied, All Hell consented to release his bride."

OVID.

The sorrow and love of Orpheus penetrated the hearts of Pluto and Proserpine; they consented to restore him to the arms of Eurydice, if he could forbear to look behind him before he reached the borders of hell. Gladly were these conditions accepted by Orpheus, and already was he by the river Styx, eager to be conveyed across by the infernal boatman, when a touching thought of Eurydice and her love crossed his mind, and he looked back.

"Near the confines of ethereal air, Unmindful and unable to forbear, Mistrusting also lest her steps might stray, And gladsome of the glimpse of dawning day, He stopped--looked back--(what cannot love persuade?) To take one view of the unhappy maid. His longing eyes impatient backward cast, To catch a lover's look--but looked his last: {210} Here all his pains were lost, one greedy look, Defeats his hopes, and Hell's conditions broke, A fatal messenger from Pluto flew, And snatched the forfeit from a second view, For instant dying, she again descends, While he to empty air his arms extends!"

OVID.

The condition being thus broken, he saw her, but at the same moment she was turned into a shadow.

"And fainting cries, 'What fury thee possest? What frenzy, Orpheus, seized upon thy breast? Once more my eyes are seized with endless sleep, And now farewell, I sink into the deep.' Oblivious cells surrounded all with night. No longer thine: in vain to stop my flight I stretch my arms, in vain thou stretchest thine, In vain thou grievest, I in vain repine.'"

VIRGIL.

{211}

He returned to the upper world, where the only solace which he could find, was to soothe his grief with the tones of his musical instrument, to the sound of which, the mountains and caves of his native land bore a melancholy echo. He secluded himself entirely from the company of mankind; in vain was his society sought by the Thracian women; he rejected their overtures with coldness, until enraged at his behaviour, they attacked him while celebrating the Bacchanalian orgies.

"Here while the Thracian bard's enchanting strain, Sooths beasts and woods, and all the listening plain: The female Bacchanals devoutly mad, In shaggy skins, like savage creatures clad, Warbling in air perceived his lovely lay, And from a rising ground beheld him play: When one, the wildest, with dishevelled hair That loosely streamed, and ruffled in the air: Soon as her frantic eye the lyrist spied 'See, see, the hater of our sex,' she cried, Then at his face her missive javelin sent, Which whizzed along, and brushed him as it went; But the soft wreaths of Ivy twisted round, Prevent a deep impression of the wound, Next their fierce hands the bard himself assail, Nor can his song against their wrath prevail; In vain he lifts his suppliant hands, in vain He tries, before his never failing strain; And, from those sacred lips, whose thrilling sound Fierce tigers and insensate rocks could wound, Ah Gods! how moving was the mournful sight, To see the fleeting soul now take its flight!"

DRYDEN.

After tearing his body to pieces, they threw his head into the Hebrus, which, as it rolled down the current, ejaculated with touching tenderness, 'Eurydice! Eurydice!' until it reached the Aegean sea.

The inhabitants of Dian asserted that his tomb was in their city, but the people of Mount Libethrus, in Thrace, claimed the same honour, remarking that the nightingales which formed their nests near it, excelled all others in melody and beauty. After his death, he is reported by some to have received divine honours, the muses rendering the rites of sepulture to his remains, and his lyre becoming one of the constellations.

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{212}

ADMETUS

was the king of Thessaly, whose flocks were tended by Apollo for nine years, when banished from heaven. During his servitude to this monarch he obtained a promise from the Fates, that Admetus should never die if another person would lay down his life for him.

Being one of the Argonauts, he was at the hunt of the Calydonian boar, when Pelias promised his daughter in marriage to him only, who could bring him a chariot drawn by a lion and wild boar. With the aid of Apollo, Admetus effected this, and obtained the hand of Alcestis.

By the fortune of war, he became a prisoner, and was condemned to death; Alcestis, with a beautiful display of conjugal affection, laid down her life to save her husband from the cruel death prepared for him.

DEATH-SONG OF ALCESTIS.

"She came forth in her bridal robes arrayed, And midst the graceful statues round the hall Shedding the calm of their celestial mien, Stood pale, yet proudly beautiful as they: Flowers in her bosom, and the star-like gleam Of jewels trembling from her braided hair And death upon her brow! but glorious death! Her own heart's choice, the token of the seal Of love, o'ermastering love; which till that hour, Almost an anguish in the brooding weight Of its unutterable tenderness, Had burdened her full soul. But now, oh! now, Its time was come--and from the spirit's depths The passion and the melody Of its immortal voice, in triumph broke Like a strong rushing wind! The soft pure air Came floating through that hall--the Grecian air, Laden with music--flute notes from the vales, Echoes of song--the last sweet sounds of life And the glad sunshine of the golden clime Streamed, as a royal mantle, round her form-- The glorified of love! But she--she look'd Only on him for whom 'twas joy to die, Deep--deepest, holiest joy!--or if a thought Of the warm sunlight, and the scented breeze, And the sweet Dorian songs, o'erswept the tide Of her unswerving soul--'twas but a thought That owned the summer loveliness of life To him a worthy offering--so she stood Wrapt in bright silence, as entranced awhile, Till her eye kindled, and her quivering frame With the swift breeze of inspiration shook, As the pale priestess trembles to the breath {213} Of unborn oracles! then flushed her cheek, And all the triumph, all the agony, Born on the battling waves of love and death All from her woman's heart, in sudden song Burst like a fount of fire, 'I go, I go, Thou sun, thou golden sun, I go Far from thy light to dwell: Thou shalt not find my place below, Dim is that world--bright sun of Greece, farewell! The laurel and the glorious rose Thy glad beam yet may see, But where no purple summer glows O'er the dark wave I haste from them and thee. Yet doth my spirit faint to part, I mourn thee not, O sun!

Joy, solemn joy, o'erflows my heart, Sing me triumphant songs! my crown is won. Let not a voice of weeping rise--, My heart is girt with power Let the green earth and festal skies Laugh, as to grace a conqueror's closing hour! For thee, for thee, my bosom's lord! Thee, my soul's loved! I die; Thine is the torch of life restored, Mine, mine the rapture, mine the victory. Now may the boundless love, that lay Unfathomed still before In one consuming burst find way, In one bright flood all, all its riches pour. Thou knowest--thou knowest what love is now! Its glory and its might-- Are they not written on my brow? And will that image ever quit thy sight? No! deathless in thy faithful breast, There shall my memory keep Its own bright altar place of rest, While o'er my grave the cypress branches weep. Oh, the glad light! the light is fair, The soft breeze warm and free; And rich notes fill the scented air, And all are gifts, my love's last gifts to thee! Take me to thy warm heart once more! Night falls, my pulse beats low; Seek not to quicken, to restore-- Joy is in every pang,--I go, I go! I feel thy tears, I feel thy breath, I meet thy fond look, still Keen is the strife of love and death; Faint and yet frantic grows my bosom's thrill. Yet swells the tide of rapture strong, Though mists o'ershade mine eye! Sing Paeans! sing a Conqueror's song! For thee, for thee, my spirit's lord, I die!'"

HEMANS.

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{214}

AMPHION AND NIOBE.

Amphion was king of Thebes, the favourite of Apollo and rival of the celebrated Orpheus in the science of music. It is related of him, that in order to build the walls which surrounded his capital, he played upon his lyre, and by its divine power, the stones came and ranged themselves in order.

He married Niobe, by whom he had seven sons and seven daughters; the trials of this princess have been given in the history of Apollo, leaving a touching memorial of the sorrows of maternal love and tenderness.

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OEDIPUS,

KING OF THEBES.

Oedipus was the son of Laius and Jocasta; and being descended from Venus, was compelled to endure all the troubles which Juno might choose to inflict on him, from the hatred she bore to the goddess of beauty.

No sooner had the marriage of Laius taken place with Jocasta, than it was foretold by the oracle, that he would fall by the hands {215} of his son. Alarmed at so fearful a prediction, he resolved not to approach his wife. Having broken this wise resolution, however, he became the father of Oedipus, but to avert the oracle, he ordered Jocasta to destroy the infant immediately he was born. The mother was unable to obey this cruel command, but gave him in charge to one of her domestics, with directions to leave him on the mountains. Instead of obeying this order, the servant bored a hole in the feet of the child, and hung him on a tree on Mount Cithaeron, where he was soon found by one of the shepherds of Polybus, King of Corinth.

The shepherd took him and presented him to Peribaea, the wife of Polybus, who conceived a maternal tenderness for the deserted child, and adopted him as her own.

The accomplishments of the boy, who was named Oedipus, soon became the admiration of the age; he was informed that he was illegitimate, though Peribaea, when he appealed to her, told him, {216} out of kindness, that his suspicions were unfounded. He remained dissatisfied however, and consulted the Delphian oracle, by which he was told not to return home, or he must inevitably become the murderer of his father, and the husband of his mother.

As he travelled towards Phocis, he met, in a narrow passage, Laius, his father, in a chariot with his arm bearer. Laius insolently ordered the youth to move out of his way, which Oedipus, not knowing him, and irritated at his tone and language, refused. A conflict ensued, and Laius with his companion was slain.

"'His demeanour bold, Imperative, and arrogant: from far He waved his hand, that I should quit the path. Most narrow was the place, and scarce allowed To one, free passage. I was incensed At his deportment, free myself by birth, Hence I advanced with an undaunted step: He, with a terrible accent, cried, "Make way." I, on the other hand, exclaimed with rage, Returned his menace, and bade him retire. Already had we met: he from his side, Unsheathed a dagger, and upon me leap'd. {217} I had no dagger, but I lacked not courage. Me he assailed. I combated his onset, Grasp'd him, and in less time than I relate it; Flung him upon the earth: in vain he strove; When to the contest he perceived himself Inadequate, insidiously he feigned Terms of submission: I consented to them: Quitted my grasp, when treacherously a blow, Such as thou sees't here, he aimed at me, And pierced my clothes. The weapon grazed my flesh The wound is slight, but boundless was my rage. Blind with revenge I snatched the dagger from him, And weltering in his blood he lay transfixed.'"

ALFIERI.

Ignorant of the rank of the man he had killed, he continued his way to Thebes, attracted thither by the noise which had been vented about of the Sphynx, a frightful monster then laying waste the country around Thebes, and devouring all who could not expound the enigma it proposed, which was--"What animal in the morning walks upon four legs, in the afternoon upon two, and in the evening upon three legs." The answer of Oedipus was "That in infancy man goes upon his hands and feet; in manhood he walks upright, and in old age with the assistance of a staff." Enraged at this solution, the monster dashed its head against a rock, and delivered Thebes from his unwelcome presence.

The prediction, partly fulfilled, was now entirely brought to pass, for Oedipus mounted the throne, and married Jocasta, his mother, by whom he had two sons, Polynice and Eteocles, and two daughters, Ismene and Antigone.

Some years after, a plague visited his territories, and the oracle was consulted, which stated that it would only cease when the murderer of King Laius was banished from the country. The slayer of this king had never been discovered, and the whole of Thebes was in violent excitement, anxious to discover the murderer, to avert the plague which raged; Oedipus himself instituted all possible inquiry, resolved to overcome every difficulty. What was his sorrow at learning as the result of his unwearied zeal, that he himself was the unhappy parricide, and still more, that he was the husband of his own mother.

_Oedipus._ "'Why speak you not according to my charge? Bring forth the rack, since mildness cannot win you Torment shall force.

_Phorbas._ Hold, hold, Oh! dreadful sir, You will not rack an innocent man.

{218} _Oed._ Speak, then.

_Phor._ Alas! what would you have me say?

_Oed._ Did this old man take from your arms an infant?

_Phor._ He did, and oh! I wish to all the gods, Phorbas had perished in that very moment.

_Oed._ Moment! thou shalt be hours, days, years undying, Here, bind his hands, he dallies with my fury, But I shall find a way--

_Phor._ By the gods, I do conjure you to enquire no more.

_Oed._ Furies and Hell! Haemon bring forth the rack, Fetch hither cords and knives, and sulphurous flames. He shall be bound and gashed, his skin flead off And burned alive.

_Phor._ O spare my age.

_Oed._ Who gave that infant to thee?

_Phor._ O wretched state! I die, unless I speak; And if I speak most certain death attends me.

_Oed._ Thou shalt not die; speak then, who was it? Speak, While I have sense to understand the horror, For I grow cold.

_Phor._ The Queen, Jocasta told me It was her son by Laius.

_Oed._ O you gods--break, break not yet my heart, Though my eyes burst, no matter, wilt thou tell me, Or must I ask for ever? For what end? Why gave she thee her child?

_Phor._ To murder it.

_Oed._ O more than savage! murder her own bowels Without a cause.

_Phor._ There was a dreadful one Which had foretold that most unhappy son Should kill his father, and enjoy his mother.

_Oed._ 'Tis well! I thank you gods! 'tis wondrous well! Dagger and poison--O there is no need For my dispatch; and you, ye merciless powers, Hoard up your thunder stones; keep, keep your bolts For crimes of little note.

_Adrastus._ Help--and bow him gently forward, Chafe, chafe his temples--He breathes again, And vigorous nature breaks through opposition. How fares my royal friend?

_Oed._ The worse for you. O barbarous men, and oh! the hated light, What did you force me back to curse the day, To curse my friends, to blast with this dark breath The yet untainted earth and circling air? To raise new plagues and call new vengeance down, Why did you tempt the gods, and dare to touch me? Methinks there's not a hand that grasps thy hell, But should run up like flax, all blazing fire. Stand from this spot, I wish you as my friends, And come not near me, lest the gaping earth Swallow you too.'"

SOPHOCLES.

{219}

In the depth of his anguish he deprived himself of sight, as unworthy ever more to behold the light, and banished himself from Thebes for the good of his country; or as many assert, he was banished from thence by his sons.

He retired towards Attica, led by his daughter Antigone, and came to a place sacred to the Furies. Here the remembrance flashed across his mind, that he was to die in a place like this, that such had been the decree of the oracle, and that he was to become the great source of prosperity to the country in which his bones should be laid. He sent therefore to Theseus, king of the place, to inform him, that on his arrival he would make known to him the resolution which he had made. Theseus came, and found Oedipus with his face covered by a black veil, a knife in one hand, and a vessel containing the blood of a sacrifice in the other. With a prophetic voice he exclaimed:--

"Lo! the immortal gods have called--the ground on which we stand, shall be my grave!"

As he spoke, he walked without a guide to the appointed spot of earth, which in token of approval, opened, and received the victim to its bosom.

The tomb of Oedipus was near the Areopagus in the age of {220} Pausanias, and some of the ancient poets have represented him in hell, as the place, which crimes like his, would seem to deserve.

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ETEOCLES AND POLYNICE.

From the unhappy union of Oedipus with Jocasta sprung Eteocles and Polynice; when they came to manhood an arrangement was made between them, by which it was agreed, that they should exercise the kingly authority for one year alternately. Eteocles was the eldest, and took to himself the first period of government; but when his year had past, the throne had proved so agreeable, that he refused to keep his promise of abdicating.

Polynice disgusted at such conduct retired to Argos, where Adrastus, king of the place, gave him his daughter in marriage, and attempted to persuade Eteocles into some feeling of justice; but not only did the latter persist in his conduct, but sought to slay the famous Tydius, the ambassador of Adrastus, who however escaped this danger with increased renown; and on his return to his king was appointed by him to join a numerous army, selected to trench against the walls of Thebes; nor was this an ungrateful task to the warrior who had been so treacherously assaulted. {221}

"Frowning he speaks, and shakes The dark crest, streaming o'er his shaded helm In triple wave; whilst dreadful ring around The brazen bosses of his shield; he stands Close to the river's margin, and with shouts Demands the war, like an impatient steed, That pants upon the foaming curb."

Amphiaraus, who was famous for his knowledge of futurity, and a warrior of great renown: knew from his power of divination, that he was sure to perish if he accompanied the expedition, and therefore secreted himself so successfully, that his wife only, knew the the place of his concealment; she however consented to betray him, bribed by an offer of a bracelet of great worth from Polynice, who was desirous of gaining so important an auxiliary. Previous to Amphiaraus quitting Argos for Thebes, he told his son Alcmeon to slay his mother, if news of his death should reach him; and when Alcmeon heard that his father's chariot had been swallowed by the earth, which opened to receive its victim, he sacrificed Euriphyle to the vengeance of his dead sire. But so execrable a crime could not pass unpunished, and he was tortured by the Furies until he retired to Arcadia, where he married Alphisibaus. To fill up the measure of his crimes, he repudiated her, and took for his spouse Callirhoe. The brothers of his deserted wife however, assassinated him in revenge; and Callirhoe in the extremity of her anguish, devoted her two sons in the presence of their dead father, to revenge his death.

Her wishes were fulfilled, they slew the murderers of Alcmeon, {222} but to appease the gods, the fatal bracelet was sacrificed upon the altar of Apollo.

Meanwhile the war beneath the the walls of Thebes was conducted with fierce and vigorous bravery, by the chiefs who had assembled for its attack, until Eteocles and Polynice perceiving that the combat was unlikely soon to terminate, offered to finish the battle by a single combat, on which the crown should depend.