OR THE RHODIAN GENIUS. 257 



his eye, the symbol of vital force animating each individual 

 germ of the organic creation. At his feet are the earthy 

 elements desiring to mix and unite, conformably to their 

 particular tendencies. The Genius,, holding aloft his lighted 

 torch with commanding gesture, controls and constrains 

 them, without regard to their ancient rights, to obey his 

 laws. 



" Now view with me the new picture which the tyrant has 

 sent to me for explanation : turn your eyes from the image 

 of life to that of death. The butterfly has left its former 

 place and soars upwards ; the extinguished torch is reversed, 

 the head of the youth has sunk : the spirit has fled to other 

 spheres, and the vital force is dead. Now the youths and 

 maidens joyfully join hands, the earthy substances resume 

 their ancient rights : they are freed from the chains that 

 bound them, and follow impetuously after long restraint the 

 impulse to union. Thus inert matter, animated awhile by 

 vital force, passes through an innumerable diversity of forms, 

 and perhaps in the same substance which once enshrined the 

 spirit of Pythagoras, a poor worm may have enjoyed a 

 momentary existence. 



" Go, Polycles, and tell Dionysius what thou hast heard ; 

 and" you my friends, Euryphamos, Lysis, and Scopas, come 

 nearer to me and support me ; I feel that in my weakened 

 frame the enfeebled vital power will not long hold in sub- 

 jection the earthly substances which reclaim their ancient 

 liberty. Lead me once again to the Poecile, and thence to 

 the sea shore ; soon you will collect my ashes."" 



VOL. II. S 



