The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-05
ENDYMION.

Dams Obe was an ola WHICH oE kypSJ
iTifg on the outskirts of Rome. Save Tor
the oompaniOnship Of ore, she lived alone
10 dismal cave, loved by few, feared by
many for her dreaded magic power.
This one, her companion, was the talreet
of her sex, fairer by far than all OF the
Roman maidens. Many stories were told
In and about Rome regarding her parent
age, but none knew the truth save ola Dame
O'be. and the secret was all she IVeo 10
keep
per mama was Cleonice, and dark was
ber hair dark as midnight her eyes; teeth,
month. figure. mere beautiful than ever
Rompn vet beheld. AS blithe as any fairy,
with a head full of all that was pure, with
merry song she tripped the meadows
through 10 where, in boat that idly floated
meath rocks and willows, the young shep-
herd boy, Endymion, lay asleep.
II was in small valley, at the bottom OF
which a lake shone like silver in the light
of the setting sun. All around it beautiful
willows covered the slOping banks, and
their long branches dropped over the water.
Gazing intently upon bis face, she sat on
a Undiscovered rock somewhat near MS
boat, cast her eyes to heaven, drew her
fingers across the TYRE, and put her DFlm-
ming soul into music music when c0ulu
come from the gods only.
Her sung intermingled with Endymion's
slnmber and caused him 10 dream. and 10
the dream he spoke aloud in solemn vows
his love for CleODice.
Hammer. teufoId happier, she sprang from
the rock, leaned over the boat AID kissed
his brow, then took her way TO Dame y oes
cave But ere she reached the brow OF the
hffh1skipping, singing in her JOY, she saw
the Emperor and his son rldlng last toward
her AS light as q fairy, she sped before
their horses, aud. calling aloud 10 Dame
O'be as she neared the cave, fell upon the
moss-c0vered floor.
When the Emperor rode up, out spoke
Dame O'be, full and bold:
"Msthinks the Emperor and his fair son
might find better sport than trlghten Ing the
poor old wOman's childv'
Living yagaboudi She is no child OF
yours. But you have taught her your tricks,
and she has bewitched my son."
The Emperor was very angry; Dame
0'be's face grew thoughtful and wicked,
while close to her skirts clung Cleonice.
"Eial hal hR! So IT'S his heart Ia T!
ha! hap
"Witchl SorceressF" cried the enraged
Emperor. Give her TO my guards, ana II
she does not bring the color to my sons pale
cheeks and cheer his sad heart L will Iced
her TO my lions"
The Emperor was beside himself with
rage, but his young son was sick at heart
and pale of face
Dame O'be Gazed scornfully at the
speaker, then said:
7" Of, bass Emperor! So 'tis you again!
Remember 40 buildings past, your heart
waned, your face paled, for a love unborn
for theel Hal ha! ha! see! Thou hast
not forgOtten!'
"Wretch! ImpOstorI Give her to my
soldiers, and | swear by the gods"
Enough! Take her. Emperor. but re-
member, thou hast sworn by the godSl Let
harm come TO one hair OF her head and
woe to theeP'
The soldiers took the reluctant maiden
and bore her away 10 castle Of marble by
the side OF the lake, and there the Emperor's
son sWoTe his love for her on Bonded knee.
With downcast eyes and dark eye lashes
which seemed darker still lying On her
pale cheek-she told him that she loved
another. Then the Emperor and his son
=. were overcome with wrath-mOre angry
stlf when Cleonice'S cheeks flushed, and
her eyes flashed in scorn for both.
"SorceTessP' cried the Emperor. ITO
morrow at sunrise you wed my son!"
All that night Cleonice slept not, but lay
with her dark head pilOWed on her snow
white arms and sObbed for EndymiOn. "Oh,
Endymion! Endymionw But though the
night breeze caught up her moaning Endy-
- ni0n heard her not as he fed his sheep 10
the valley below.
Far In the distance she heard the lambs
bleRting, heard EndymiOn's voice, low and
sweet; and now, standing at the open win
dow, she saw the newborn sun peeping
from behind the hill, and shuddered at her
approaching wedding.
Would she wed? For her lies sake
would she leave fair EndymiOn?
HaTk! She heard footsteps on the stone
stairway. The Emperor and his son ap-
preached. Quick into the window she
sDrang. Down, down, fathoms down, the
beautiful, calm lake shone like silver in the
early morn, polished by the rising sun. How
peaceful il seemed
Behind her, nearer, nearer the footsteps
came. Again, half breathless, she looked
cut upon the lake-tO see EndymOn gliding
swiftly over the waters One quick thought
her last-'tWas Of EndymiOn. She CT OsSed
her arms on her breast; her face so fair so
beautiful, sbone Ike an angePs. The door
opened. The Emperor and his son, seeing
her intent, rushed madly at her-al too
late!
They leaned from the window and gazsd
below to see. the waters spread to receive
her. Reckless in his anger and pain, the
youth lost his balance and went to a watery
grave.
With curses on hislips the Emperor maGly
rushed down the stairs, but at the castle
door stood Dame o'be. with eyes fixed
Rash EmperurI Wretch! A curse be
upon thy head! TEou hast He'd Cleonice!
CleOnice-daughter or the godsp'
EndymiOn, gliding Ger the lakes wide ex-
pause, eSpied hoatlug figure clothed 10
white, and as he came nearer saw a mass of
raven tresses. He arose. and seeing that
which made him doubt his eyes, clasped his
hands to his head and cried "Cleonicei' and
fell as still as death in the boats bottom.
The little craft came to shore and there
stood Dame O'he.
"Poor EndymionP p she cried. She took
sleeping draught from her girdle, and say
ing, Better that thou shouldst never wake
TO grief" touched IT to his lips.
There he lay all through the still and
ba'my night. and there be lay when the sun
rose up from behind the hills.
charm came over the beautiful valley
which made the breeze more gentle and the
lake more skill than ever. The sheep came
70 the waters edge to see IL Endymion was
coming to feed them; but he stirred not in
his deep and dreamless sleep There he
lay Tor days and nights, for weeks and
months and years; and when the moon is
rlpest, villagers say they can see from the
hill the lily white arm of Cleonice guiding
Endy MONS boat about the waters. while
in the other hand, high over her head. She
bears q torch to light her love aeross the