Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-09-03

tho tfafelierS wearing lne petdSoS Or fOunu-
brimmed cap; such was the fashion in Ath-
ems, at that time the most polished city in the
world; then, as now, acknowledged the SUI
rene in all matters of artistic taste. Not SO
luxurious as Corinth, not SO gorgeous as Ba-
bylon, nor so stern as Laconia. it was the mo-
del of perfection, by its rare union of most be-
witching beauty with extreme simplicity.
Be that as it might, our dark-complexion-
led stranger walked through the streets of the
violet-crowned in happy ignorance that any
man of all this crowd could, even to himself.
hold him lower. His head erect his bearing
dignifed, his step firm, and all his movements
stately, he passed through that gay and mo-
bile crowd like one of the statues of the plain,
endowed with life for season only, but never
with life's quick sensations. He was an E.
gyptian and could a son of Chemi b, lieve
that the barbarian Greek, the child of his age
--he himself the seer, the sage-could he be-
lieve in the superiority of himf hmun pro-
tect his ownl such thought were blasphemy
to the gods whose favorite he was
He met the company of women thus retur-
ming from their flower gathering in the Attic
fields /; their wells drawn round to protect the
sweet cheeks which blushed for very con-
seriousness of beauty their eyes downcast, or
glancing upward at rare intervals, with shy
but fervid look; their gait graceful; all their
movements undulating, with motion as far
removed from, and yet as like to, dancing as
| al Al. oe .I,n Al.
measure of an erotic hymn Baskets in their
hands, and flowers dropping round on all
sides !; in the braided hair of the younger,
flowers also, freshly placed, giving to some a
wild Bacchante expression, to others mod
esty most heavenly, lighting up the dark eyes
of this with SIRENS witchery of love, yelling
the white lids of that with tenderer shade,
enhancing in each her particular perfection,
and making the world revere where it former
] ly only admired. The Egyptian thought of
the young Isiac priestesses whom he had often
seen tending the sacred serpents, feeding the
holy ibis, dancing round the mothers altar,
while singing slow hymns to the tinkling sis
trum, and performing other and more mystic
acts of their most mystic faith and he in
wardly contrasted these warm, young Ionic
maids with the sterner serenity of his coun-
try's daughters. The philosopher might prize
the one, the man must love the other. But
philosophy and love never yet went hand-in-
hand for must not the pale moons cold
beams be quenched in the fiery light Of the
SUM- And so love quenches the cold reason.
ings of intellect.
He stepped aside, haughtily enough as il
to obliterate this act of condescenson on its
instant of performance and the party glided
by. He had entered within the portico of o
small hut well appointed house; and there he
remained, leaning against the elaborate Corin-
THAN flowers as it was, musing long after the
girls had passed, somewhat sadly. While he
stood there the door of the house opened with,
in, and young Athenian appeared on the
marble threshold. Immediately behind him
and holding his hand clasped in both of hers
was woman, more beautiful, more divine
than anything the Egyptian had ever seen il
dream or reality. Not Aphrodite hersel
when she arose from ocean, wringing the sal
sea-water from her dripping tresses while
COUGHING low in'the floating shell, appeared
more exquisitely fair to the laughing loveI
and graces, and wandering nymphs, the awet
Tritons, and the delighted gods mot Here
when sire laid herself among the flowers be
meath the golden cloud on Ida nor Artemis
i when she turned in her high course and CAM
= down to the .Cretan shepherd-boy slumberint
} in the cave mot one of all looked more di
! vine than did this bright creation of womanl,
; perfection. Europa, Leda, Daphe, Perse
phone; and thou, Arethusa with the fyinI
feet and thou, sweet Semele, lost by tn,
confidence in love hapless Syrinx and dear
est Helen thou, ye all would have known a
your equal in beauty Pythionica, the faires
. woman in Athens
siYet once more, my Lysistrates l'' sh
said, in q voice whose tones .resembled tn
notes of a distant flute. "Does it need 81
many prayers from Pythionica, before Lysis
l trates will give her one hour more of hi
time Thou knowest my faith in portent
1 and presages, and thou hast heard my las
: nights dream. Cannot this determine tn.
hesitating will, or art thou SO eager for th.
: chill Myrrhas snowy smilesf 1t is not wei
g Lysstrates, to show so openly thy preference
: for this girl; thou mightest spare me Mi
n pang among SO manyl"
!. The youth hesitated moment, the Egyp
t tian turned. His was a face which impresse
n him even more, though not so favorably, a
k the glowing loveiness of his companion; we
: seen thus, half turned away, half hidden i
8 the cleaning tresses that strayed over her III
g covered shoulder and lost themselves in tn
3 boys conyulsive grasp, it had as much Q
beauty as any face could we'll express. Du
9 not a beauty to be loved, only admired Tn
: recklessness, the air Of dissipation, the trace
: of unbridled passions all these were so man
9 scars on the perfection of that beauty to tn
Q calm, grave, mild Egyptian, indelible sears
!. A moments flush of manly pride to dut.
: crossed that passionate brow; moment
quiver OF the lip eager for action, eager 70
9 renown, bespoke the transient waking of tn
# better self; moments indecision, when Py
8 thionica twined her arm round his smoot
It neck, and the pride and the manliness wer
i eone-faded into Sybaritic softness of plea
k sure. One eager pressure on that uncovere
o shoulder one Wild sweet smile of intoxics
# tom and then the door closed and they bot
e re-entered the house.
,e An expression of contempt and somethin