Philothea Read online

  In answer to her eager questions, Philothea soon learned that her fears had prophesied aright concerning the decision of the court. Philæmon had been unsuccessful; but the buoyant energy of his character did not yield even to temporary despondency. He spoke of his enemies without bitterness, and of his own prospects with confidence and hope.

  Philothea would have immediately gone to convey the tidings to her friend, had not Philæmon early taken his leave, and passed through the garden into the house of Phidias.

  Paralus remained until a late hour, alternately talking with the venerable philosopher, and playing upon his flute, while Philothea sung the songs they had learned together.

  In the course of conversation, Anaxagoras informed his child that Pericles particularly urged her attendance at Aspasia’s next symposium. “I obey my grandfather, without a question,” she replied; “but I would much rather avoid this visit, if it were possible.”

  “Such is likewise my wish,” rejoined the philosopher; “but Pericles has plainly implied that he should be offended by refusal; it is therefore necessary to comply with his request.”

  The maiden looked doubtingly at her lover, as if she deemed his sanction necessary; and the inquiring glance was answered by an affectionate smile. “I need not repeat my thoughts and feelings with regard to Aspasia,” said Paralus; “for you know them well; but for many reasons it is not desirable that an estrangement should take place between my father and Anaxagoras. Since, therefore, it has pleased Pericles to insist upon it, I think the visit had better be made. You need not fear any very alarming innovation upon the purity of ancient manners. Even Aspasia will reverence you.”

  Philothea meekly yielded to the opinion of her friends; and it was decided that, on the evening after the morrow, she should accompany her grandfather to Aspasia’s dwelling.

  Before proceeding farther, it is necessary to relate the situation of the several characters introduced in this chapter.

  Anaxagoras had been the tutor of Pericles, and still retained considerable influence over him; but there were times when the straightforward sincerity, and uncompromising integrity of the old man were somewhat offensive and troublesome to his ambitious pupil. For the great Athenian statesman, like modern politicians, deemed honesty excellent in theory, and policy safe in practice. Thus admitting the absurd proposition that principles entirely false and corrupt in the abstract are more salutary, in their practical manifestation, than principles essentially good and true.

  While Pericles was determined to profit by diseases of the state, the philosopher was anxious to cure them; therefore, independently of personal affection and gratitude, he was willing to make slight concessions in order to retain some influence over his illustrious pupil.

  The celebrated Aspasia was an elegant and voluptuous Ionian, who succeeded admirably in pleasing the good taste of the Athenians, while she ministered to their vanity and their vices. The wise and good lamented the universal depravity of manners, sanctioned by her influence; but a people so gay, so ardent, so intensely enamoured of the beautiful, readily acknowledged the sway of an eloquent and fascinating woman, who carefully preserved the appearance of decorum. Like the Gabrielles and Pompadours of modern times, Aspasia obtained present admiration and future fame, while hundreds of better women were neglected and forgotten. The crowds of wealthy and distinguished men who gathered around her, were profuse in their flattery and munificent in their gifts; and Pericles so far yielded to her influence, that he divorced his wife and married her.

  Philæmon was at that time on terms of intimacy with the illustrious orator; and he earnestly remonstrated against this union, as alike disgraceful to Pericles and injurious to public morals. By this advice he incurred the inveterate dislike of Aspasia; who never rested from her efforts until she had persuaded her husband to procure the revival of an ancient law, by which all citizens who married foreigners, were subjected to a heavy fine; and all persons, whose parents were not both Athenians, were declared incapable of voting in the public assemblies, or of inheriting the estates of their fathers. Pericles the more readily consented to this, because such a law at once deprived many political enemies of power. Philæmon was the son of Chœrilaus, a wealthy Athenian; but his mother had been born in Corinth, though brought to Athens during childhood. It was supposed that this latter circumstance, added to the patriotism of his family and his own moral excellence, would prevent the application of the law in his individual case. But Alcibiades, for reasons unknown to the public, united his influence with that of Aspasia; and their partizans were active and powerful. When the case was tried in the court of illegitimacy at Cynosarges, Philæmon was declared a sojourner in Athens, incapable of holding any office, and dispossessed of his paternal inheritance.

  Eudora was a mere infant when Phidias bought her of a poor goatherd in Phelle. The child was sitting upon a rock, caressing a kid, when the sculptor first saw her, and the gracefulness of her attitude attracted his attention, while her innocent beauty touched his heart. She and her nurse had been stolen from the Ionian coast, by Greek pirates. The nurse was sold into slavery, and the babe delivered by one of the pirates to the care of his mother. The little creature, in her lisping way, called herself baby Minta; and this appellation she retained, until Phidias gave her the name of Eudora.

  Philothea, the orphan daughter of Alcimenes, son of Anaxagoras, was a year or two older than Eudora. She was brought to Athens, at about the same period; and as they resided very near each other, the habitual intercourse of childhood naturally ripened into mature friendship. No interruption of this constant intimacy occurred, until Philothea was appointed one of the Canephoræ, whose duty it was to embroider the sacred peplus, and to carry baskets in the grand procession of the Panathenaia. Six months of complete seclusion within the walls of the Acropolis, were required of the Canephoræ. During this protracted absence, Aspasia persuaded Phidias to bring Eudora frequently to her house; and her influence insensibly produced a great change in that young person, whose character was even more flexile than her form.

  CHAPTER II.

  “With grace divine her soul is blest,

  And heavenly Pallas breathes within her breast;

  In wonderous arts than woman more renowned,

  And more than woman with deep wisdom crowned.”

  Homer

  It was the last market hour of Athens, when Anaxagoras, Philothea, and Eudora, accompanied by Geta, the favorite slave of Phidias, stepped forth into the street, on their way to Aspasia’s residence.

  Loud shouts of laughter came from the agoras, and the whole air was filled with the hum of busy multitude. Groups of citizens lingered about the porticos; Egyptians, Medians, Sicilians, and strangers from all the neighboring States of Greece, thronged the broad avenue of the Piræus; women, carrying upon their heads olive jars, baskets of grapes, and vases of water, glided among the crowd, with that majestic motion so peculiar to the peasantry in countries where this custom prevails.

  Philothea drew the folds of her veil more closely, and clung timidly to her venerable protector. But neither this, nor increasing twilight, could screen the graceful maidens from observation. Athenians looked back as they passed, and foreigners paused to inquire their name and parentage.

  In a few moments they were under the walls of the Acropolis, walking in the shadow of the olive groves, among godlike statues, to which the gathering obscurity of evening gave an impressive distinctness— as if the light departing from the world, stood petrified in marble.

  Thence they entered the inner Ceramicus, where Aspasia resided. The building, like all the private houses of Athens, had a plain exterior, strongly contrasted by the magnificence of surrounding temples, and porticos. At the gate, an image of Hermes looked toward the harbor, while Phœbus, leaning on his lyre, appeared to gaze earnestly at the dwelling.

  A slave, stationed near the door, lighted the way to the apartment where Aspasia was reclining, with a Doric harp by her side, on which she had just bee
n playing. The first emotion she excited was surprise at the radiant and lucid expression which mantled her whole face, and made the very blood seem eloquent. In her large dark eye the proud consciousness of intellect was softened only by melting voluptuousness; but something of sadness about her beautiful mouth gave indication that the heavenly part of her nature still struggled with earth-born passions.

  A garland of golden leaves, with large drops of pearl, was interwoven among the glossy braids of her hair, and rested on her forehead.

  She wore a robe of rich Milesian purple, the folds of which were confined on one shoulder within a broad ring of gold, curiously wrought; on the other they were fastened by a beautiful cameo, representing the head of Pericles. The crimson couch gave a soft flush to the cheek and snowy arm that rested on it; and, for a moment, even Philothea yielded to the enchantment of her beauty.

  Full of smiles, Aspasia rose and greeted Eudora, with the ease and gracefulness of one long accustomed to homage; but when the venerable philosopher introduced his child, she felt the simple purity emanating from their characters, and something of embarrassment mingled with her respectful salutation.

  Her own face was uncovered, contrary to the custom of Grecian women; and after a few of those casual remarks which everywhere serve to fill up the pauses in conversation, she playfully seized Eudora’s veil, and threw it back over her shoulders. She would have done the same to Philothea; but the maiden placed her hand on the half-transparent covering, and said, “With your leave, lady, I remain veiled.”

  “But I cannot give my leave,” rejoined Aspasia, playfully, still keeping her hold upon the veil: “I must see this tyrannical custom done away in the free commonwealth of Athens. All the matrons who visit my house agree with me in this point; all are willing to renounce the absurd fashion.”

  “But in a maiden it would be less seemly,” answered Philothea.

  Thus resisted, Aspasia appealed to Anaxagoras to exert his authority; adding, in an audible whisper,

  “Phidias has told me that she is as lovely as the immortals.”

  With a quiet smile, the aged philosopher replied, “My child must be guided by her own heart. The gods have there placed an oracle, which never misleads or perplexes those who listen to it.”

  Aspasia continued, “From what I had heard of you, Philothea, I expected to find you above the narrow prejudices of Grecian women. In you, I was sure of a mind strong enough to break the fetters of habit. Tell me, my bashful maiden, why is beauty given us, unless it be like sunlight to bless and gladden the world?”

  “Lady,” replied the gentle recluse, “beauty is given to remind us that the soul should be kept as fair and perfect in its proportions as the temple in which it dwells.”

  “You are above ordinary women,” said Aspasia; “for you hear me allude to your beauty without affecting to contradict me, and apparently without pleasure.”

  The sound of voices in earnest conversation announced the approach of Pericles with visiters. “Come to my room for a few moments,” said Aspasia, addressing the maidens: “I have just received a magnificent present, which I am sure Eudora will admire. As she spoke, she led the way to an upper apartment. When they opened the door, a soft light shone upon them from a lamp, which a marble Psyche shaded with her hand, as she bent over the couch of Eros.

  “Now that we are quite sure of being uninterrupted, you cannot refuse to raise your veil,” said Aspasia.

  Simply and naturally, the maiden did as she was desired; without any emotion of displeasure or exultation at the eager curiosity of her hostess.

  For an instant, Aspasia stood rebuked and silent in the presence of that serene and holy beauty.

  With deep feeling she exclaimed, “Maiden, Phidias spoke truly. Even thus do we imagine the immortals!”

  A faint blush gleamed on Philothea’s face; for her meek spirit was pained by a comparison with things divine; but it passed rapidly; and her whole soul became absorbed in the lovely statues before her.

  Eudora’s speaking glance seemed to say, “I knew her beauty would surprise you!” and then, with the eager gayety of a little child, she began to examine the gorgeous decorations of the room.

  The couch rested on two sphinxes of gold and ivory, over which the purple drapery fell in rich and massive folds. In one corner, a pedestal of Egyptian marble supported an alabaster vase, on the edge of which were two doves, exquisitely carved, one just raising his head, the other stooping to drink. On a similar stand, at the other side, stood a peacock, glittering with many colored gems. The head lowered upon the breast formed the handle; while here and there, among the brilliant tail feathers, appeared a languid flame slowly burning away the perfumed oil, with which the bird was filled.

  Eudora clapped her hands, with an exclamation of delight. “That is the present of which I spoke,” said Aspasia, smiling: “It was sent by Artaphernes, the Persian, who has lately come to Athens to buy pictures and statues for the great king.”

  As Philothea turned towards her companion, she met Aspasia’s earnest gaze. “Had you forgotten where you were?” she asked.

  “No, lady, I could not forget that,” replied the maiden. As she spoke, she hastily withdrew her eyes from an immodest picture, on which they had accidentally rested; and, blushing deeply, she added, “But there is something so life-like in that slumbering marble, that for a moment I almost feared Eudora would waken it.”

  “You will not look upon the picture,” rejoined Aspasia; “yet it relates a story of one of the gods you reverence so highly. I am told you are a devout believer in these fables?”

  “When fiction is the robe of truth, I worship it for what it covers,” replied Philothea; “but I love not the degrading fables which poets have made concerning divine beings. Such were not the gods of Solon; for such the wise and good can never be, in this world or another.”

  “Then you believe in a future existence?” said Aspasia, with an incredulous smile.

  With quiet earnestness, Philothea answered: “Lady, the simple fact that the human soul has ever thought of another world, is sufficient proof that there is one; for how can an idea be formed by mortals, unless it has first existed in the divine mind?”

  “A reader of Plato, I perceive!” exclaimed Aspasia: “They told me I should find you pure and child-like; with a soul from which poetry sparkled, like moonlight on the waters. I did not know that wisdom and philosophy lay concealed in its depths.”

  “Is there any other wisdom than true simplicity and innocence?” asked the maiden.

  With a look of delighted interest, Aspasia took her arm familiarly; saying, “You and I must be friends. I shall not grow weary of you, as I do of other women. Not of you, dearest,” she added in an under tone, tapping Eudora’s cheek. “You must come here constantly, Philothea. Though I am aware,” continued she, smiling, “that it is bad policy for me to seek a guest who will be sure to eclipse me.”

  “Pardon me, lady,” said Philothea; gently disengaging herself: “Friendship cannot be without sympathy.”

  A sudden flush of anger suffused Aspasia’s countenance; and Eudora looked imploringly at her friend, as she said, “You love me, Philothea; and I am sure we are very different.”

  “I crave pardon,” interrupted Aspasia, with haughty impatience. “I should have remembered that the conversation prized by Pericles and Plato, might appear contemptible, to this youthful Pallas, who so proudly seeks to conceal her precious wisdom from ears profane.”

  “Lady, you mistake me,” answered Philothea, mildly: “Your intellect, your knowledge, are as far above mine as the radiant stars are above the flowers of the field. Besides, I never felt contempt for anything to which the gods had given life. It is impossible for me to despise you; but I pity you.”

  “Pity!” exclaimed Aspasia, in a piercing tone, which made both the maidens start. “Am I not the wife of Pericles, and the friend of Plato? Has not Phidias modelled his Aphrodite from my form? Is there in all Greece a poet who has not sung
my praises? Is there an artist who has not paid me tribute? Phœnicia sends me her most splendid manufactures and her choicest slaves; Egypt brings her finest linen and her metals of curious workmanship; while Persia unrolls her silks, and pours out her gems at my feet. To the remotest period of time, the world,—aye, the world,—maiden, will hear of Aspasia the beautiful and the gifted!”

  For a moment, Philothea looked on her, silently and meekly, as she stood with folded arms, flushed brow, and proudly arched neck. Then, in a soft, sad voice, she answered: “Aye, lady—hut will your spirit hear the echo of your fame, as it rolls back from the now silent shores of distant ages?”

  “You utter nonsense!” said Aspasia, abruptly: “There is no immortality but fame. In history, the star of my existence will never set—but shine brilliantly and forever in the midst of its most glorious constellation!”

  After a brief pause, Philothea resumed: “But when men talk of Aspasia the beautiful and the gifted, will they add, Aspasia the good—the happy—the innocent?”

  The last word was spoken in a low, emphatic tone. A slight quivering about Aspasia’s lips betrayed emotion crowded back upon the heart; while Eudora bowed her head, in silent confusion, at the bold admonition of her friend.

  With impressive kindness, the maiden continued: “Daughter of Axiochus, do you never suspect that the homage you receive is half made up of selfishness and impurity? This boasted power of intellect—this giddy triumph of beauty—what do they do for you? Do they make you happy in the communion of your own heart? Do they bring you nearer to the gods? Do they make the memory of your childhood a gladness, or a sorrow?”

  Aspasia sank on the couch, and bowed her head upon her hands. For a few moments, the tears might be seen stealing through her fingers; while Eudora, with the ready sympathy of a warm heart, sobbed aloud.

  Aspasia soon recovered her composure. “Philothea,” she said, “you have spoken to me as no one ever dared to speak; but my own heart has sometimes uttered the truth less mildly. Yesterday I learned the same lesson from a harsher voice. A Corinthian sailor pointed at this house, and said, ‘There dwells Aspasia, the courtezan, who makes her wealth by the corruption of Athens!’ My very blood boiled in my veins, that such an one as he could give me pain. It is true the illustrious Pericles has made me his wife; but there are things which even his power, and my own allurements fail to procure. Ambitious women do indeed come here to learn how to be distinguished; and the vain come to study the fashion of my garments, and the newest braid of my hair. But the purest and best matrons of Greece refuse to be my guests. You, Philothea, came reluctantly—and because Pericles would have I so. Yes,” she added, the tears again starting to her eyes—“I know the price at which I purchase celebrity. Poets will sing of me at feasts, and orators describe me at the games; but what will that be to me, when I have gone into the silent tomb? Like the lifeless guest at Egyptian tables, Aspasia will be all unconscious of the garlands she wears.