218 SOrHENE AND SOPHOCLES. 



thought it at the greatest distance from us. The solemn eacrifice that 

 was to terminate the ministry and honours of Dymas, was almost com- 

 pleted ; he was to return to depart, I was going with him. Sophene would 

 have been lost to me. When the ceremony was almost at an end, on a 

 sudden we heard the cries of two anxious mothers, loudly calling on 

 their children. It was Dianthea and Panthia. They moved every one 

 present to compassion. And Sosthenes and Theonisteus drew near the 

 altar. "People of Artycome, here solemnly assembled," said my father, 

 raising his voice, " Sostrates and Dymas are daring enough to retain 

 their fellow-citizens in ignominious slavery. Do not suffer the peroga- 

 tives of the Greek nation to be so shamefully infringed ; and you, minis- 

 ter of Apollo, order him to be delivered up to us." 



Sostrates willingly complied ; but Dymas urged in his behalf, the 

 right of war that had rendered him my master. He refused to restore 

 me to liberty. Aided by his friends who joined him, he prepared him- 

 self to force me out of the sanctuary, where I had taken refuge. The 

 people opposed him, the temple resounded with the noise of confused 

 voices. Discord agitated every mind : injustice was on the point of 

 triumphing. The high priest was not able to appease the tumult. He 

 made a sign with his hand that he wished to speak. Hardly was he 

 listened to. At length, respect for his character got the better of pas- 

 sion — all was hushed — a stilly and prophetic silence reigned throughout 

 the holy sanctuary. "A Greek," said he, "cannot be a slave in his 

 own country : such are our laws. However, if Dymas will not abide by 

 my decision, great Apollo, let him know thy supreme will." He then 

 ascended, with venerable steps, the tremendous tripod : his reason be- 

 came troubled — his looks grew wild — his body fell into convulsions, and 

 full of divine madness which inspired him, he dehvered this oracle or 

 sentence. "Let Sophene and Sophocles be made free ; let them be 

 restored to Sosthenes and Themisteus." Our destiny was no longer 

 doubtful : we now recovered our vernacular liberty. Dymas darted out of 

 the temple in a rage, and returned to Daphnipolis. At the name of 

 Sosthenes, Sostrates remembered that their fathers had been united by 

 the sacred ties of hospitality. He kindly complained of our having hid- 

 den our birth from him. We embraced our parents and friends. A 

 delightfully pleasing reconciliation took place, and universal peace was 

 established. The people gradually withdrew from the solemn aisles of 

 the temple. The high priest, with his usual benevolence and affectionate 

 regard for his people, would have us go to his house ; we joyfully ac- 

 cepted the venerable man's invitation. When the first raptures of our 

 joy and gladness were in some measure abated, the discourse turned 

 upon our adventures ; we were desired to give an account of them ; I 

 did not require to be urged, and accordingly resuming them from my 

 first departure from Eurycome, afforded their impatient curiosity ample 

 ■atisfactioD. 



Sophene, alone, could make up what was deficient in the narrative. 

 Our silence convinced her that we expected she should continue and 

 finish the narration. She was sensible of its being out of her power to 

 dispense with it ; but timidity kept Sophene in. suspense. " Dear So- 

 phene ! Sosthenes observed her disinclination to comply, and cast upon 

 her a look that had something in it of pleastu-e mixed with reproach, and 



