SOFHENE AND SOPHOCLES. 361 



voice, protect two unhappy lovers, whom the rigour of their fate, 

 and thy oracle drive from their country ! and thou, Neptune, bid 

 the waves respect them ! 



We got under sail. The weather was calm, and the sea smooth. 

 It seemed as if we were borne upon the wings of Zephyr. I was so 

 much animated by love, in such a pleasurable transport, 'that, for- 

 getting all my past grievances, I thought my happiness perfectly se- 

 cured. Lying at Sophenes' feet, my head reclined upon her knees, 

 I gave myself over to most delicious raptures, that kept sleep far off. 

 How pleasant was that night ! How many innocent favours did it allow 

 and veil ! 



Two days thus passed away. How handsome all the company found 

 Sophene ! What perfect harmony of features and shape did they not 

 remark in her ! How many desires did she raise, and how many 

 rivals had I not ! There was among us a painter, who was on his 

 way to the court of the king of Persia. In order to establish the su- 

 periority of Grecian beauty, he asked Sophenes' leave to draw her 

 picture. Though he worked with great expedition, his performance 

 was not the less masterly. It is Sophene ! she breathes, she enchants, 

 she fills her beholders with admiration. 



Object of the vows of all Asia, she will triumph over all. What 

 a delicious idea for a lover ! I foresaw her glory, I partook of it ; 

 but, soon altering my mind, that glory pained me. I could not brook 

 the idea of her picture falling into the hands of the barbarians. 

 They are not worthy of it; all that is like Sophene ought to belong 

 to Sophocles. The painter took notice of my emotion, as he had 

 done of my love. Our fires are impatient of restraint, said he. I 

 know all the niceties usual with lovers. I too have loved. Here is 

 Sophenes' picture ; possess it alone. 



Already had the seaman descried the land, and had filled the air 

 with shouts and acclamations. They showed us the temple of Juno, 

 which towered over all the other buildings of the city where we were 

 to land. It is there, said I, that, depository of our oaths, the goddess 

 will, in a little time, unite us. 



Gods of heaven ! Gods of the sea! continue your favours a mo- 

 ment longer. Alas ! you do not hearken to me ! 



The sky grew cloudy ; the winds broke loose ; a furious tempest 

 arose ; the air was inflamed ; the billows roared, the masts split, the 

 vessel opened; *' horror" invaded our minds; we seemed by our de- 

 spair to concur with the surges in our own destruction. ""All skill be- 

 came useless ; the steering of our ship ceased. Some raised piercing 

 cries; others waited in silence for death. In their despair these 

 cursed the gods ; those implored them on their knees. Free from 

 fear (for love had engrossed her heart) Sophene threw herself into 

 my arms. I approach death unterrified, said she. The gods are 

 just ; I deserve it. Let the chastisement be ever so sudden, and ri- 

 gorous, it does not equal my demerits. I die ; but I do not complain. 



Sophocles ! how great is the power of Love ! At the same time 

 that my undutifulness to my doleful parents flies in my face ; when 



1 am conscious of its havingr drawn the wrath of the gods upon us ; 



