SOPHEME AND SOPHOCLES. 239 



Supper ended, I know not whether 1 ate or not, and had not my 

 hand met Sophene's, when she presented me with the cup, I should 

 not remember that I had drank ; but I never shall forget that I got 

 a look from Sophene. Goddess whose tender sentiments master my 

 heart ! O Venus ! whose lively and nattering expressions move the 

 immortals as much as thy charms. Ismene looked at me. Thou 

 hast rendered me sensible of the sweetness of that look, teach me to 

 express the value of it. Sosthenes took me by the hand, and spoke 

 to me in this manner : $ 



Sophocles, you have been here the prescribed time. Our custom 

 is to employ it in paying to the ministers of the gods tj^e honours due 

 to their persons and their office. Overjoyed to possess you, believe 

 me, we wish we could always keep you among us ; but the pleasure 

 of hospitality ought to yield to the duties of religion. Let us set out 

 to-morrow for Eurycone. There the sovereign of the gods requires 

 a sacrifice from us. Go to rest with Imlacca ; he said and left me 

 alone. When the thunder-bolt falls with a rattling crash at the feet 

 of a traveller upon whom darkness comes unawares, he is less terri- 

 fied than I was when I heard those fatal words. I remained 

 deprived of voice and motion. I thought that, with a blow of his 

 scythe, Death had hurled me headlong into the abyss of Tartarus. 

 To that mute anguish succeeded groans and grievous accents. No ; 

 cried I ; I will not forsake Sophene ; rny life depends upon her 

 presence, I will live and die with her. 



In the mean time she was walking; I perceived her, and 

 when I was confident she was alone, is it you, said I, dear Sophene ? 

 She went off without answering me. I caught her by her gown, 

 and endeavoured to steal a kiss from her ; Sophocles, said she, 

 smiling, respect your ministry, or at least the sacred garments of it 

 which you wear. Nothing restrains you ? Is a kiss worth the 

 danger to which you expose us both? We are watched, perhaps we 

 are seen. 



Sophocles, you do not hearken to me. How different you are 

 from what you were yesterday. Modest, even shy, you durst not 

 look at me. While she was speaking thus, I held, I pressed her 

 hand, I kissed and bathed it with tears. Alas ! said I, fetching a 

 deep sigh, How dear will this moment of pleasure cost me ! I shall 

 see you no more after to-morrow ; I return to Eurycone. And so 

 do I, answered she, bursting from me. I heard a noise, and I did 

 not dare to follow her. It was Imlacca, who lying under a thick 

 myrtle tree, had moved the branches of it. Darkness hindered me 

 from recollecting him, and fearing lest he should be some slave of 

 Sosthenes, I shunned him. How now, said he, in a jest, are you 

 afraid of the shaking of a leaf? You are too ready to part from a 

 mistress whom perhaps you are doomed to see no more. Partake 

 of my joy, replied I, taking him about the neck, Sophene goes 

 along with us. I know it from herself ; help me to find her again ; 

 perhaps she is in the garden yet. No, said he, I will not follow 

 you ; you love ; your business is to sit up, and mine to sleep. I 

 leave you with a better assistant, Love... So saying, he parted 



