190 A Legend of the Egean. [FEB. 



to which mortals fnay attain, by emulating the superior gods, lie in- 

 structed her on many subjects of science and philosophy, but the moral 

 of his brilliant discourse was ever the same. 



" Let us use what talents we possess in the service of benevolence and 

 truth, sacrificing vanity and covetousness at the commands of justice 

 and of duty, so will our deeds be grateful to Jove, whether we sit on 

 thrones or work in the mine." 



And Aphelia felt more enamoured than when he had spoken of her 

 own charms. The hours passed fleetly, and it was after midnight when 

 Eobardus and Myrtillo rose to depart. 



" As soon as the sun sets to-morrow expect me again, loved and 

 excellent maiden !" So saying, the youth imprinted one balmy kiss on 

 her forehead, and was gone. 



Impelled to admire, nay adore, Aphelia felt dazzled into a kind of 

 delirium ; so infinitely above her, above aught she had ever known, was 

 this gracious being, she scarce dared acknowledge her suspicions even 

 to herself; that one whose smile brought joy to millions, should deign 

 to bend his eyes on her, was ecstacy supreme ; for all night, and all day, 

 till near the appointed time of his return, she stood at her door, watch-* 

 ing the sun, and, though with fresh devotion, she thought he would 

 never sink into the sea. A butterfly flitted by her, and she cried aloud, 

 ff Oh, Psyche ! powerful as was he thou lovedst, his might was not that 

 of mind, of virtue ; but I can never offend by curiosity. My lord's will 

 be mine ! Eobardus, sure, knows all yet Aphelia dares ask nothing." 



She turned to her favourite laurel, and, with a dignified rapture, 

 spoke again 



" Yet, bounteous as he shines, had he addressed me rashly, I too 

 would have besought the continent Dian to have rooted me among these 

 trees, rather than have earned his fickleness by mine own folly ; bvit so 

 mild, so candid ! what should I think ? I cannot blame the enthu- 

 siastic pleasure with which I anticipate our next meeting ; for there is 

 in my heart already an esteem so rational, a tenderness so confiding, 

 that, could I retain his undivided affection, and know that he depended 

 op me for happiness, which he could nowhere else command, I could 

 doat on him in his age ; but, oh ! I shudder at the price I may pay for 

 his precarious favour. Fatal distinction ! He will leave me while I 

 am still young, and when I die, he will not weep ; for eternal memories, 

 immortal hopes are his. He cannot sympathize with human emotions !" 



Her sublime shepherd himself stood before her, and alone. She 

 bowed in silence. 



" Fairest," he said, " assert thyself, discard this timidity, and, as 

 we may meet daily for some while, I pray thee treat me as an equal !" 



And again he led her in, and gave her new lessons in wisdom and in 

 goodness. Nor was she his only scholar. Among the shepherds he 

 perfected order and humanity ; softening their manners, by giving them 

 an increased taste for the temperate, decent charities of life. Beneath 

 his care Alexis became a poet, and ceased to weep that he had loved 

 Aphelia vainly, in the pride he felt, while singing her praise to the 

 wonder of his kind. Many envied Myrtillo, yet none could hate him; 

 for, simply as he dressed and fared, he had some secret hoard, from 

 which he could reward the industry, and right the wrongs of those' 

 around him. 



" Mine Aphelia/' he modestly sighed, one evening, as they sat alone 



