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SOPHENE AND SOPHOCLES.— No. 4. 



The pilot having lost all hope, gathered his crew around him. " The 

 anger of the Gods," said he ^Yith a faltering accent, " is full upon us ; 

 our ruin is inevitable ; Jupiter arms against us all the elements ; nothing 

 can keep us from his vengeful hand ; let us forbear tiring him with 

 vows he rejects ; Neptune is less unmerciful ; let us renew a custom 

 that has always proved successful ; let us offer up a human victim that 

 shall save the rest, and see whom chance will appoint. His discourse 

 met with general approbation. Every one was eager to throw his name 

 into the funeral urn. Every one made towards death in order to avoid 

 it. The first signature that came out from the deadly vase, (can I say it 

 without expiring?) was that of Sophene ! Mad with the most exorbi- 

 tant grief, I canied her into the hold of the ship, with a fixed determina- 

 tion rather to be torn into a thousand pieces than to surrender her. Fear 

 rendered me cruel. Those who the very evening before would have laid 

 down their lives to please her, are the first to sue for her death. They 

 cried aloud that Religion had been violated, and they fancy that the sus- 

 pense of a moment increases the violence of the storm. 



Imlacca attempted to plead for her ; but instead of being listened to, 

 and obeyed, they threatened to make away with him also. 



They then rushed upon me, and, in spite of my utmost struggles, tore 

 her from my arms. I sank down in a deep swoon. She made her way 

 through the crowd, towards the pilot. "New minister of the Gods," said 

 she, "their rights shall not be transgressed — fear no opposition from me. 

 The life ol Sophocles depends upon my death — perform tliy office — 

 Neptune calls for his victim — she is ready : why dost thou defer sacri- 

 ficing her?" These were her last words ! two seamen took hold of her — 

 "what are you going to do, ye cruel men?" but already the sea had 

 received and swallowed up its prey. Jupiter ! do you countenance 

 such horrible sacrifices ? Or if you execrate them, why does not your 

 thunberbolt blast the impious men that dishonour you by offering them. 

 The storm abates. But, Gods ! ought a crime to be the purchase of man's 

 deliverance ? and you, monsters, tliat hold me down, you did well to 

 chain my fury — it would have rendered this horrible device abortive." 



The pilot enjoined me silence : I strove to rush upon him. "Load him 

 with chains," cried he aloud. Then every thing near me became a 

 weapon for me — the Furies inspired me — horror and dismay attended 

 them ; the crew looked upon this new danger as more imminent than 

 the first. 



But my strength was soon spent — they overpowered me. Revenge 

 rendered me thirsty of her blood — I panted for it ; but my rage was re- 

 duced to impotent cries. 



In order to get free of me, they steered to the shore and cast me upon 

 the land, Imlacca I you were not permitted to attend me. You would 



