Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-06-05
MISCELLANEOUS.
By c. DONALD MACLEOD.

Atcvcning,whcn the sunset was melting
over the spires of Ephesus, the crowd has
tened toward the temple of DIANA State
y and graceful rose its Pcntclican columns.
autcd and crowned with sculpturcd capi-
tails. A broad porch, its floor paved with
mosaic, stretched between the colonnade
and the wal ofthc building, and above the
simple door, in Greek letters of inlaid jas
per, stood the inscription
GREAT Is DIANA OF ErmEsus.
Passing the vcstibule and entering the
body of the temple, the sublime errors Of
Heathendom showed most imposingly.-
A soft, diffuscd light filed the space and
mellowed the cleaning of the porphyry
columns. Music, scarce heard. but exqni-
sitely sweet, sounded ceaselessly. No al
tar was visible. but before the purple cur
tain that veiled it, there stood, upon SIM
pie pedestal of red Egyptian granite, liv-
ing from the chisel Of Phidias, the statue Of
the goddess. Pure was the smooth fore
head, as when she uttered the dcath-scn-
tcnce of Actmon Firm and set were the
straight brows, as when she watched the
dcsolation of Niobe. Full, warm and i'm
passioned were her lips, as when the kis-
scs Of Endymion melted upon their roses.
The veil quivered and light CLEANED
from its folds, and the voice of the people
swcllcd up chorus Of seas,
GREAT Is DIANA OF EPHEsUs.
Then the music swellcd-flute and GYM
bal and clarion, higher and fuller till it
shook the marble walls. Light burst over
all things: the curtain parted, and the altar,
| cleaning with amethysts, flashed upon the
worshppers. Slowly the train of purple
robed hamens moved on until they surroun-
ded the shrine. They heaped the altar
with wood and white flowers; two beauti-
full boys held the snowy stag--flletted for
sacri6cc-wi,h siken cord: and as the
priests prepared the service, they sang
| their hymn, and for chorus the flute and
cymbal and clarion pcaled.
HYMN TO DIANA.
Hear, Ia tiv forest shades
| Where bounds the golden-foetcd deer.
Amid the music of thy glades,
ourr@an, huntrcss hear.
| Asoa the Latmiaa hill,
When wa;chful stars attendant shonc
Thy lips grew warmer with the thrill,
| Caught from EnJyniion;-
| As when Actnon's breast
| Received the boon of impous pride;
| Felt the transfguring was, confessed
| Thy purity-and died-
As when along the sky
| Thou glidest in thy silver car;
| When mortal hearts prefer on high
| Hymns to the evening starr
To huntrcss. lover, maid.
| To virgin queen of heavens blue sphere,
Fond, pure, beloved, aud beautiful
Ephesian, mother hcar
As the hymn ceased, there sounded the
warning "EKAsl EKAsl OsTIs ALrTRos!'
Then for the Romans "Procul, Oprocul
este proiani!" Then followed, at the bid
ding of the priest the low murmured pray
or of the people; and when they arose from
their knees, the victim was led up to the
altar: the sacrihcial cake was broken and
sprinklcd between Its antlcrs. Then the
axe wos swung high in the stalwart hand:
oft the officiating fnmcn-it fell, and the
victim rolled dead upon the pavement. In
stantly its throat was cut and the BLOOD
caught in the sacred phageioa of chasct
gold. Then the flaying. cvcnteration ant
dismcmbcring followed, and ,hc'augurie.
were drawn. The flesh was laid upon til,
altar: frankinccnse and wine were poured
upon the pile, the torch was applied. ant
up through the silent air shot the quivcrins
tongues ofilamc!
When all was over and the multitud,
| had departed, white robcd figure flittc,
from column to column until it rcachct
| the one nearest the altar, and there, crouch
cd in the shadow, seemed to listen atten
lively. In few moments, the sound of
measured football was heard, and tai
form issued from behind the shrine and ap
preached the pillar. 1t was Cleon, one o
the priests of Artcmis; and as he come nea
the pillar, low voice breathed his name
"Clconl"
/ "Ah, Myrrha, is 1t theu?" he said, ant
then added, "Reach the door of the tenn
} pie unseen, there may chance 10 be spie
lurking near. l will join you in the vesti
bulc."
Silently the white robe glided away an,
disappeared through the portal Cleol
again moved behind the altar, but in few
moments emerged from its shadow, wrap
ped in daah brown robe. Passing tn