Philothea Part 26

Numerous lamps were lighted in the trees, making the gardens bright as noon. Women belonging to the royal household, and to the most favoured of the n.o.bility, rode through the groves and lawns, in rich pavilions, on the backs of camels and white elephants. As the huge animals were led along, fireworks burst from under their feet, and playing for a moment in the air, with undulating movements, fell in a sparkling shower.

Artaxerxes gave a luxurious feast, which lasted seven days; during which time the Queen entertained her guests with equal splendour, in the apartments of the women.

The Athenian decree against those of foreign parentage had been repealed in favour of young Pericles; but in that country everything was in a troubled and unsettled state; and Artaphernes pleaded hard to have his daughter remain in Persia.

It was therefore decided that the young couple should reside at Pasagarda, situated in a fertile valley, called the Queen's Girdle, because its revenues were appropriated to that costly article of the royal wardrobe. This pleasant city had once been the favourite residence of Cyrus the Great, and a plain obelisk in the royal gardens marked his burial-place. The adjacent promontory of Taoces afforded a convenient harbour for Tyrian merchants, and thus brought in the luxuries of Phoenicia, while it afforded opportunities for literary communication between the East and the West. Here were celebrated schools under the direction of the Magii, frequently visited by learned men from Greece, Ethiopia, and Egypt.

Philaemon devoted himself to the quiet pursuits of literature; and Eudora, happy in her father, husband and children, thankfully acknowledged the blessings of her lot.

Her only daughter, a gentle maiden, with plaintive voice and earnest eyes, bore the beloved name of Philothea.

APPENDIX

_Zeus_--The Jupiter of the Romans.

_Zeus Xenius_--Jupiter the Hospitable.

_Hera_--Juno.

_Pallas_--Minerva.

_Pallas Athena_--An ancient appellation of Minerva, from which Athens took its name.

_Pallas Parthenia_--Pallas the Virgin.

_Pallas Promachos_--Pallas the Defender.

_Phoebus_--The Apollo of the Romans; the Sun.

_Phoebus Apollo_--Phoebus the Destroyer, or the Purifier.

_Phoebe_--Diana; the Moon.

_Artemis_--Diana.

_Agrotera_--Diana the Huntress.

_Orthia_--Name of Diana among the Spartans.

_Poseidon_--Neptune.

_Aphrodite_--Venus.

_Urania_--The Heavenly Venus. The same name was applied to the Muse of Astronomy.

_Eros_--Cupid.

_Hermes_--Mercury.

_Demeter_--Ceres.

_Persephone_--Proserpine.

_Dionysus_--Bacchus.

_Pandamator_--A name of Vulcan, signifying the All-subduing.

_Mnemosyne_--G.o.ddess of Memory.

_Chloris_--Flora.

_Asclepius_--Esculapius.

_Rhamnusia_--Name of a statue of Nemesis, G.o.ddess of Vengeance; so called because it was in the town of Rhamnus.

_Polydeuces_--Pollux.

_Leto_--Latona.

_Taraxippus_--A deity whose protection was implored at Elis, that no harm might happen to the horses.

_Erinnys_--The Eumenides, or Furies.

_Naiades_--Nymphs of Rivers, Springs, and Fountains.

_Nereides_--Nymphs of the Sea.

_Oreades_--Nymphs of the Mountains.

_Dryades_--Nymphs of the Woods.

_Oromasdes_--Persian name for the Principle of Good.

_Mithras_--Persian name for the Sun.

_Arimanius_--Persian name for the Principle of Evil.

_Odysseus_--Ulysses.

_Achilleus_-Achilles.

_Cordax_--An immodest comic dance.

_Agora_--A Market House.