CHAPTER XXXIII
WHAT BEFELL ON THE HILLSIDE
Once more the Persians pressed into Attica, once more the Athenians,--orsuch few of them as had ventured home in the winter,--fled with theirmovables to Salamis or Peloponnesus, and an embassy, headed by Aristeides,hastened to Sparta to demand for the last time that the tardy ephors makegood their promise in sending forth their infantry to hurl back theinvader. If not, Aristeides spoke plainly, his people must perforce closealliance with Mardonius.
Almost to the amazement of the Athenian chiefs, so accustomed were they toDorian doltishness and immobility, after a ten days' delay and excusesthat "they must celebrate their festival the Hyacinthia," the ephorscalled forth their whole levy. Ten thousand heavy infantrymen with a hostof lightly armed "helots"(11) were started northward under the able leadof Pausanias, the regent for Leonidas's young son. Likewise all the alliesof Lacedaemon--Corinthians, Sicyonians, Elians, Arcadians--began to hurrytoward the Isthmus. Therefore men who had loved Hellas and had almostdespaired for her took courage. "At last we will have a great land battle,and an end to the Barbarian."
All was excitement in the Athenian colony at Troezene. The board ofstrategi met and voted that now was the time for a crowning effort. Fivethousand men-at-arms should march under Aristeides to join againstMardonius in Boeotia. By sea Themistocles should go with every availableship to Delos, meet the allied squadrons there, and use his infallible artin persuading the sluggish Spartan high admiral to conduct a raid acrossthe AEgean at Xerxes's own doors. Of the ten strategi Democrates had calledloudest for instant action, so loudly indeed that Themistocles hadcautioned him against rashness. Hermippus was old, but experienced mentrusted him, therefore he was appointed to command the contingent of histribe. Democrates was to accompany Aristeides as general adjutant; hisdiplomatic training would be invaluable in ending the frictions sure toarise amongst the allies. Cimon would go with Themistocles, and so everyother man was sent to his place. In the general preparation privateproblems seemed forgotten. Hermippus and Democrates both announced thatthe betrothal of Hermione had been postponed, pending the public crisis.The old Eleusinian had not told his daughter, or even his wife, why he hadseemed to relax his announced purpose of forcing Hermione to an unwelcomemarriage. The young widow knew she had respite--for how long nothing toldher, but for every day her agony was postponed she blessed kind Hera. Thencame the morning when her father must go forth with his men. She stillloved him, despite the grief he was giving her. She did him justice tobelieve he acted in affection. The gay ribbons that laced his cuirass, thered and blue embroidery that edged his "taxiarch's" cloak, were from theneedle of his daughter. Hermione kissed him as she stood with her motherin the aula. He coughed gruffly when he answered their "farewell." Thehouse door closed behind him, and Hermione and Lysistra ran into oneanother's arms. They had given to Hellas their best, and now must look toAthena.
Hermippus and Aristeides were gone, Democrates remained in Troezene. Hisbusiness, he said, was more diplomatic than military, and he was expectingadvices from the islands which he must take to Pausanias in person. He hada number of interviews with Themistocles, when it was observed that everytime he came away with clouded brow and gruff answers to all who accosted.It began to be hinted that all was not as well as formerly between theadmiral and the orator, that Democrates had chosen to tie too closely toAristeides for the son of Neocles's liking, and that as soon as thecampaign was decided, a bitter feud would break out betwixt them. But thiswas merest gossip. Outwardly Democrates and Themistocles continuedfriends, dined together, exchanged civilities. On the day whenThemistocles was to sail for Delos he walked arm in arm with Democrates tothe quay. The hundreds of onlookers saw him embrace the young strategus ina manner belying any rumour of estrangement, whilst Democrates stood onthe sand waving his good wishes until the admiral climbed the ladder ofthe _Nausicaae_.
It was another day and landscape which the stranger in Hellas would haveremembered long. The haven of Troezene, noblest in Peloponnesus, girt byits two mountain promontories, Methana and the holy hill Calauria, openedits bright blue into the deeper blue of the Saronic bay. Under the eye ofthe beholder AEgina and the coasts of Attica stood forth, a fit frame tothe far horizon. Sun, sea, hills, and shore wrought together to make oneglorious harmony, endless variety, yet ordered and fashioned into a divinewhole. "Euopis," "The Fair-Faced," the beauty-loving dwellers of thecountry called it, and they named aright.
Something of the beauty touched even Hermione as she stood on the hillslope, gazing across the sea. Only Cleopis was with her. The young widowhad less trembling when she looked on the _Nausicaae_ than when one yearbefore the stately trireme had sailed for Artemisium. If ill news mustcome, it would be from the plains of Boeotia. Most of Themistocles's fleetwas already at Delos. He led only a dozen sail. When his squadron glidedon into the blue deep, the haven seemed deserted save for the Carthaginiantrader that swung at her cables close upon the land. As Hermione lookedand saw the climbing sun change the tintings of the waters, here spreadinga line of green gold amidst the blue, here flashing the waves with darkviolet, something of the peace and majesty of the scene entered into herown breast. The waves at the foot of the slope beat in monotonous music.She did not wonder that Thetis, Galatea, and all the hundred Nereids lovedtheir home. Somewhere, far off on that shimmering plain, Glaucon theBeautiful had fallen asleep; whether he waked in the land of Rhadamanthus,whether he had been stolen away by Leucothea and the other nymphs to betheir playfellow, she did not know. She was not sad, even to think of himcrowned with green seaweed, and sitting under the sea-floor withfish-tailed Tritons at their tables of pearl, while the finny shoals likebirds flitted above their heads. Thales the Sage made all life proceed outof the sea. Perchance all life should return to it. Then she would findher husband again, not beyond, but within the realms of great Oceanus.With such beauty spreading out before her eyes the phantasy was almostwelcome.
The people had wandered homeward. Cleopis set the parasol on the dry grasswhere it would shade her mistress and betook herself to the shelter of arock. If Hermione was pleased to meditate so long, she would not deny herslave a siesta. So the Athenian sat and mused, now sadly, now with a gleamof brightness, for she was too young to have her sun clouded always.
A speaker near by her called her out of her reverie.
"You sit long, _kyria_, and gaze forth as if you were Zeus in Olympus andcould look on all the world."
Hermione had not exchanged a word with Democrates since that day she castscorn on him on that other hill slope at Munychia, but this did not makehis intrusion more welcome. With mortification she realized that she hadforgotten herself. That she lay on the sunny bank with her feetoutstretched and her hair shaken loose on her shoulders. Her feet sheinstantly covered with her long himation. Her hands flew instantly to herhair. Then she uprose, flushing haughtily.
"It has pleased my father, sir," she spoke with frigid dignity, "to tellme that you are some day perchance to be my husband. The fulfilment lieswith the gods. But to-day the strategus Democrates knows our customs toowell to thrust himself upon an Attic gentlewoman who finds herself alonesave for one servant."
"Ah, _kyria_; pardon the word, it's overcold; _makaira_, I'd say moregladly," Democrates was marvellously at his ease despite her frowns, "yournoble father will take nothing amiss if I ask you to sit again that we maytalk together."
"I do not think so." Hermione drew herself up at full height. ButDemocrates deliberately placed himself in the path up the hillside. Tohave run toward the water seemed folly. She could expect no help fromCleopis, who would hardly oppose a man soon probably to be her master. Asthe less of evils, Hermione did not indeed sit as desired, but stoodfacing her unloved lover and hearkening.
"How long I've desired this instant!" Democrates looked as if he mightseize her hands to kiss them, but she thrust them behind her. "I know youhate me bitterly because, touching your late husband, I
did my duty."
"Your duty?" Nestor's eloquence was in her incredulous echo.
"If I have pained you beyond telling, do you think my act was a pleasantone for me? A bosom friend to ruin, the most sacred bonds to sever, lastand not least, to give infinite sorrow to her I love?"
"I hardly understand."
Democrates drew a step nearer.
"Ah! Hera, Artemis, Aphrodite the Golden--by what name shall I call mygoddess?" Hermione drew back a step. There was danger in his eyes. "I haveloved you, loved you long. Before Glaucon took you in marriage I lovedyou. But Eros and Hymen hearkened to his prayers, not mine. You became hisbride. I wore a bright face at your wedding. You remember I was Glaucon'sgroomsman, and rode beside you in the bridal car. You loved him, he seemedworthy of you. Therefore I trod my own grief down into my heart, andrejoiced with my friends. But to cease loving you I could not. Truly theysay Eros is the strongest god, and pitiless--do not the poets say bloodyAres begat him--"
"Spare me mythologies," interposed Hermione, with another step back.
"As you will, but you shall hearken. I have desired this moment for twoyears. Not as the weak girl given by her father, but as the fair goddesswho comes to me gladly, I do desire you. And I know you will smile on mewhen you have heard me through."
"Keep back your eloquence. You have destroyed Glaucon. That is enough."
"Hear me." Democrates cried desperately now. Hermione feared even toretreat farther, lest he pass to violence. She summoned courage and lookedhim in the eye.
"Say on, then. But remember I am a woman and alone save for Cleopis. Ifyou profess to love me, you will not forget that."
But Democrates was passing almost beyond the limits of coherent speech.
"Oh, when you come to me, you will not know what a price I have paid foryou. In Homer's day men wooed their wives with costly gifts, but I--have Inot paid for you with my soul? My soul, I say--honour, friendship, country,what has weighed against Himeros, 'Master Desire,'--the desire ever foryou!"
She hardly understood him, his speech flowed so thick. She knew he was onthe edge of reason, and feared to answer lest she drive beyond it.
"Do you hear the price I have paid? Do you still look on in cold hate,lady? Ah, by Zeus, even in your coldest, most forbidding mood you are fairas the Paphian when she sprang above the sea! And I will win you, lady, Iwill win your heart, for they shall do you homage, even all Athens, and Iwill make you a queen. Yes! the house of Athena on the Acropolis shall beyour palace if you will, and they will cry in the Agora, 'Way, way forHermione, glorious consort of Democrates our king!' "
"Sir," spoke Hermione, while her hands grew chill, for now she was sure heraved, "I have not the joy to comprehend. There is no king in Athens,please Athena, there never will be. Treason and blasphemy you speak all inone." She sought vainly with her eyes for refuge. None in sight. The hillslope seemed empty save for the scattered brown boulders. Far away a goatwas wandering. She motioned to Cleopis. The old woman was staring now, anddoubtless thought Democrates was carrying his familiarities too far, butshe was a weak creature, and at best could only scream.
"Treason and blasphemy," cried Democrates, dropping on his knees, hisframe shaking with dishonest passion, "yes! call them so now. They will beblessed truth for me in a month, for me, for you. Hermes the Trickster isa mighty god. He has befriended Eros. I shall possess Athens and possessyou. I shall be the most fortunate mortal upon earth as now I am mostmiserable. Ah! but I have waited so long." He sprang to his feet. "Tarry,_makaira_, tarry! A kiss!"
Hermione screamed at last shrilly and turned to fly. Instantly Democrateswas upon her. In that fluttering white dress escape was hopeless.
"Apollo pursuing Daphne!"--his crazed shout as his arms closed aroundher,--"but Daphne becomes no laurel this time. Her race is lost. She shallpay the forfeit."
She felt him seize her girdle. He swung her face to face. She saw his wideeyes, his mad smile. His hot breath smote her cheek. Cleopis at last wasscreaming.
"Mine," he triumphed, while he forced her resisting head to his own,"there is none to hinder!"
But even while the woman's flesh crept back at his impure kiss, a giantpower came rending the twain apart. A man had sundered them, sprung fromthe ground or from heaven belike, or from behind a boulder? He toreDemocrates's hands away as a lion tears a lamb. He dashed the mad oratorprone upon the sod, and kicked him twice, as of mingled hatred andcontempt. All this Hermione only knew in half, while her senses swam. Thenshe came to herself enough to see that the stranger was a young man in asailor's loose dress, his features almost hidden under the dishevelledhair and beard. All this time he uttered no word, but having smittenDemocrates down, leaped back, rubbing his hands upon his thigh, as ifdespising to touch so foul an object. The orator groaned, staggeredupward. He wore a sword. It flew from its scabbard as he leaped on thesailor. The stranger put forth his hand, snatched his opponent's wrist,and with lightning dexterity sent the blade spinning back upon the grass.Then he threw Democrates a second time, and the latter did not rise againhastily, but lay cursing. The fall had not been gentle.
But all this while Cleopis was screaming. People were hastening up thehill,--fishermen from a skiff upon the beach, slaves who had been carryingbales to the haven. In a moment they would be surrounded by a dozen. Thestrange sailor turned as if to fly. He had not spoken one word. Hermioneherself at last called to him.
"My preserver! Your name! Blessed be you forever!"
The fisherfolk were very close. Cleopis was still screaming. The sailorlooked once into the lady's eyes.
"I am nameless! You owe me nothing!" And with that he was gone up the hillslopes, springing with long bounds that would have mocked pursuing, hadany attempted. But Cleopis quenched her outcry instantly; her screams hadbeen drowned by a louder scream from Hermione, who fell upon thegreensward, no marble whiter than her face. The nurse ran to her mistress.Democrates staggered to his feet. Whatever else the chastisement had givenhim, it had restored his balance of mind. He told the fisherfolk a glibstory that a sailor wandering along the strand had accosted Hermione, thathe himself had chased the villain off, but had tripped whilst trying tofollow. If the tale was not of perfect workmanship at all points, therewas no one with interest to gainsay it. A few ran up the hill slope, butthe sailor was nowhere in sight. Hermione was still speechless. They madea litter of oars and sail-cloth and carried her to her mother. Democratesoiled Cleopis's palm well, that she should tell nothing amiss to Lysistra.It was a long time before Hermione opened her eyes in her chamber. Herfirst words were:--
"Glaucon! I have seen Glaucon!"
"You have had a strange dream, _philotata_," soothed Lysistra, shiftingthe pillows, "lie still and rest."
But Hermione shook her shining brown head and repeated, many times:--
"No dream! No dream! I have seen Glaucon face to face. In that instant hespoke and looked on me I knew him. He lives. He saved me. Ah! why does hestay away?"
Lysistra, whose husband had not deemed it prudent to inform her ofThemistocles's revelations, was infinitely distressed. She sent for thebest physicians of the city, and despatched a slave to the temple ofAsclepius at Epidaurus--not distant--to sacrifice two cocks for herdaughter's recovery. The doctors looked wise and recommended heavy dosesof spiced wine, and if those did not suffice, said that the patient mightspend a night in the temple of the Healer, who would no doubt explain thetrue remedy in a dream. A "wise woman" who had great following among theslaves advised that a young puppy be tied upon Hermione's temples toabsorb the disaffection of her brain. Lysistra was barely persuaded not tofollow her admonitions. After a few days the patient grew better,recovered strength, took an interest in her child. Yet ever and anon shewould repeat over Phoenix's cradle:--
"Your father lives! I have seen him! I have seen him!"
What, however, puzzled Lysistra most, was the fact that Cleopis did notcontradict her young mistress in the least, but maintained a mysterioussilence about the whole advent
ure.
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