tanglewood tales-第12章

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o！　ho！　I　ask　your　pardon；　good　folks；　but　there　never　such　a　sight　seen　hereabouts。〃

At　last；　when　his　upper　lip　began　to　have　the　down　on　it；　Phoenix　grew　weary　of　rambling　hither　and　thither　to　no　purpose。　So　one　day；　when　they　happened　to　be　passing　through　a　pleasant　and　solitary　tract　of　country；　he　sat　himself　down　on　a　heap　of　moss。

〃I　can　go　no　farther；〃　said　Phoenix。　〃It　is　a　mere　foolish　waste　of　life；　to　spend　it　as　we　do；　always　wandering　up　and　down；　and　never　coming　to　any　home　at　nightfall。　Our　sister　is　lost；　and　never　will　be　found。　She　probably　perished　in　the　sea；　or；　to　whatever　shore　the　white　bull　may　have　carried　her；　it　is　now　so　many　years　ago；　that　there　would　be　neither　love　nor　acquaintance　between　us；　should　we　meet　again。　My　father　has　forbidden　us　to　return　to　his　palace；　so　I　shall　build　me　a　hut　of　branches；　and　dwell　here。〃

〃Well；　son　Phoenix；〃　said　Telephassa；　sorrowfully；　〃you　have　grown　to　be　a　man；　and　must　do　as　you　judge　best。　But；　for　my　part；　I　will　still　go　in　quest　of　my　poor　child。〃

〃And　we　three　will　go　along　with　you！〃　cried　Cadmus　and　Cilix；　and　their　faithful　friend　Thasus。

But；　before　setting　out；　they　all　helped　Phoenix　to　build　a　habitation。　When　completed；　it　was　a　sweet　rural　bower；　roofed　overhead　with　an　arch　of　living　boughs。　Inside　there　were　two　pleasant　rooms；　one　of　which　had　a　soft　heap　of　moss　for　a　bed；　while　the　other　was　furnished　with　a　rustic　seat　or　two；　curiously　fashioned　out　of　the　crooked　roots　of　trees。　So　comfortable　and　home…like　did　it　seem；　that　Telephassa　and　her　three　companions　could　not　help　sighing；　to　think　that　they　must　still　roam　about　the　world；　instead　of　spending　the　remainder　of　their　lives　in　some　such　cheerful　abode　as　they　had　here　built　for　Phoenix。　But；　when　they　bade　him　farewell；　Phoenix　shed　tears；　and　probably　regretted　that　he　was　no　longer　to　keep　them　company。

However；　he　had　fixed　upon　an　admirable　place　to　dwell　in。　And　by　and　by　there　came　other　people；　who　chanced　to　have　no　homes；　and；　seeing　how　pleasant　a　spot　it　was；　they　built　themselves　huts　in　the　neighborhood　of　Phoenix's　habitation。　Thus；　before　many　years　went　by；　a　city　had　grown　up　there；　in　the　center　of　which　was　seen　a　stately　palace　of　marble；　wherein　dwelt　Phoenix；　clothed　in　a　purple　robe；　and　wearing　a　golden　crown　upon　his　head。　For　the　inhabitants　of　the　new　city；　finding　that　he　had　royal　blood　in　his　veins；　had　chosen　him　to　be　their　king。　The　very　first　decree　of　state　which　King　Phoenix　issued　was；　that；　if　a　maiden　happened　to　arrive　in　the　kingdom；　mounted　on　a　snow…white　bull；　and　calling　herself　Europa；　his　subjects　should　treat　her　with　the　greatest　kindness　and　respect；　and　immediately　bring　her　to　the　palace。　You　may　see；　by　this；　that　Phoenix's　conscience　never　quite　ceased　to　trouble　him；　for　giving　up　the　quest　of　his　dear　sister；　and　sitting　himself　down　to　be　comfortable；　while　his　mother　and　her　companions　went　onward。

But　often　and　often；　at　the　close　of　a　weary　day's　journey；　did　Telephassa　and　Cadmus；　Cilix；　and　Thasus；　remember　the　pleasant　spot　in　which　they　had　left　Phoenix。　It　was　a　sorrowful　prospect　for　these　wanderers；　that　on　the　morrow　they　must　again　set　forth；　and　that；　after　many　nightfalls；　they　would　perhaps　be　no　nearer　the　close　of　their　toilsome　pilgrimage　than　now。　These　thoughts　made　them　all　melancholy　at　times；　but　appeared　to　torment　Cilix　more　than　the　rest　of　the　party。　At　length；　one　morning；　when　they　were　taking　their　staffs　in　hand　to　set　out；　he　thus　addressed　them：


〃My　dear　mother；　and　you；　good　brother　Cadmus；　and　my　friend　Thasus；　methinks　we　are　like　people　in　a　dream。　There　is　no　substance　in　the　life　which　we　are　leading。　It　is　such　a　dreary　length　of　time　since　the　white　bull　carried　off　my　sister　Europa；　that　I　have　quite　forgotten　how　she　looked；　and　the　tones　of　her　voice；　and；　indeed；　almost　doubt　whether　such　a　little　girl　ever　lived　in　the　world。　And　whether　she　once　lived　or　no；　I　am　convinced　that　she　no　longer　survives；　and　that　therefore　it　is　the　merest　folly　to　waste　our　own　lives　and　happiness　in　seeking　her。　Were　we　to　find　her；　she　would　now　be　a　woman　grown；　and　would　look　upon　us　all　as　strangers。　So；　to　tell　you　the　truth；　I　have　resolved　to　take　up　my　abode　here；　and　I　entreat　you；　mother；　brother；　and　friend；　to　follow　my　example。〃

〃Not　I；　for　one；〃　said　Telephassa；　although　the　poor　queen；　firmly　as　she　spoke；　was　so　travel…worn　that　she　could　hardly　put　her　foot　to　the　ground。　〃Not　I；　for　one！　In　the　depths　of　my　heart；　little　Europa　is　still　the　rosy　child　who　ran　to　gather　flowers　so　many　years　ago。　She　has　not　grown　to　womanhood；　nor　forgotten　me。　At　noon；　at　night；　journeying　onward；　sitting　down　to　rest；　her　childish　voice　is　always　in　my　ears；　calling；　'Mother！　mother！'　Stop　here　who　may；　there　is　no　repose　for　me。〃

〃Nor　for　me；〃　said　Cadmus；　〃while　my　dear　mother　pleases　to　go　onward。〃

And　the　faithful　Thasus；　too；　was　resolved　to　bear　them　company。　They　remained　with　Cilix　a　few　days；　however；　and　helped　him　to　build　a　rustic　bower；　resembling　the　one　which　they　had　formerly　built　for　Phoenix。

When　they　were　bidding　him　farewell　Cilix　burst　into　tears；　and　told　his　mother　that　it　seemed　just　as　melancholy　a　dream　to　stay　there；　in　solitude；　as　to　go　onward。　If　she　really　believed　that　they　would　ever　find　Europa；　he　was　willing　to　continue　the　search　with　them；　even　now。　But　Telephassa　bade　him　remain　there；　and　be　happy；　if　his　own　heart　would　let　him。　So　the　pilgrims　took　their　leave　of　him；　and　departed；　and　were　hardly　out　of　sight　before　some　other　wandering　people　came　along　that　way；　and　saw　Cilix's　habitation；　and　were　greatly　delighted　with　the　appearance　of　the　place。　There　being　abundance　of　unoccupied　ground　in　the　neighborhood；　these　strangers　built　huts　for　themselves；　and　were　soon　joined　by　a　multitude　of　new　settlers；　who　quickly　formed　a　city。　In　the　middle　of　it　was　seen　a　magnificent　palace　of　colored　marble；　on　the　balcony　of　which；　every　noontide；　appeared　Cilix；　in　a　long　purple　robe；　and　with　a　jeweled　crown　upon　his　head；　for　the　inhabitants；　when　they　found　out　that　he　was　a　king's　son；　had　considered　him　the　fittest　of　all　men　to　be　a　king　himself。

One　of　the　first　acts　of　King　Cilix's　government　was　to　send　out　an　expedition；　consisting　of　a　grave　ambassador；　and　an　escort　of　bold　and　hardy　young　men；　with　orders　to　visit　the　principal　kingdoms　of　the　earth；　and　inquire　whether　a　young　maiden　had　passed　through　those　regions；　galloping　swiftly　on　a　white　bull。　It　is；　therefore；　plain　to　my　mind；　that　Cilix　secretly　blamed　himself　for　giving　up　the　search　for　Europa；　as　long　as　he　was　able　to　put　one　foot　before　the　other。

As　for　Telephassa；　and　Cadmus；　and　the　good　Thasus；　it　grieves　me　to　think　of　them；　still　keeping　up　that　weary　pilgrimage。　The　two　young　men　did　their　best　for　the　poor　queen；　helping　her　over　the　rough　places；　often　carrying　her　across　rivulets　in　their　faithful　arms　and　seeking　to　shelter　her　at　nightfall；　even　when　they　themselves　lay　on　the　ground。　Sad；　sad　it　was　to　hear　them　asking　of　every　passer…by　if　he　had　seen　Europa；　so　long　after　the　white　bull　had　carried　her　away。　But；　though　the　gray　years　thrust　themselves　between；　and　made　the　child's　figure　dim　in　their　remembrance；　neither　of　these　true…hearted　three　ever　dreamed　of　giving　up　the　search。

One　morning；　however；　poor　Thasus　found　that　he　had　sprained　his　ankle；　and　could　not　possibly　go　a　step　farther。

〃After　a　few　days；　to　be　sure；〃　said　he；　mournfully；　〃I　might　make　shift　to　hobble　along　with　a　stick。　But　that　would　only　delay　you；　and　perhaps　hinder　you　from　finding　dear　little　Europa；　after　all　your　pains　and　trouble。　Do　you　go　forward；　therefore；　my　beloved　companions；　and　leave　me　to　follow　as　I　may。〃

〃Thou　hast　been　a　true　friend；　dear　Thasus；〃　said　Queen　Telephassa；　kissing　his　forehead。　〃Being　neither　my　son；　nor　the　brother　of　our　lost　Europa；　thou　hast　shown　thyself　truer　to　me　and　her　than　Phoenix　and　Cilix　did；　whom　we　have　left　behind　us。　Without　thy　loving　help；　and　that　of　my　son　Cadmus；　my　limbs　could　not　have　borne　me　half　so　far　as　this。　Now；　take　thy　rest；　and　be　at　peace。　Forand　it　is　the　first　time　I　have　owned　it　to　myselfI　begin　to　question　whether　we　shall　ever　find　my　beloved　daughter　in　this　world。〃

Saying　this；　the　poor　queen　shed　tears；　because　it　was　a　grievous　trial　to　the　mother's　heart　to　confess　that　her　hopes　were　growing　faint。　From　that　day　forward；　Cadmus　noticed　that　she　never　traveled　with　the　same　alacrity　of　spirit　that　had　heretofore　supported　her。　Her　weight　was　heavier　upon　his　arm。

Before　setting　out；　Cadmus　helped　Thasus　build　a　bower；　while　Telephassa；　being　too　infirm　to　give　any　great　assistance；　advised　them　how　to　fit　it　up　and　furnish　it；　so　that　it　might　be　as　comfortable　as　a　hut　of　branches　could。　Thasus；　however；　did　not　spend　all　his　days　in　this　green　bower。　For　it　happened　to　him；　as　to　Phoenix　and　Cilix；　that　other　homeless　people　visited　the　spot；　and　liked　it；　and　built　themselves　habitations　in　the　neighborhood。　So　here；　in　the　course　of　a　few　years；　was　another　thriving　city；　with　a　red　freestone　palace　in　the　center　of　it；　where　Thasus　sat　upon　a　throne；　doing　justice　to　the　people；　with　a　purple　robe　over　his　shoulders；　a　sceptre　in　his　hand；　and　a　crown　upon　his　head。　The　inhabitants　had　made　him　king；　not　for　the　sake　of　any　royal　blood　（for　none　was　in　his　veins）；　but　because　Thasus　was　an　upright；　true…hearted；　and　courageous　man；　and　therefore　fit　to　rule。

But　when　the　affairs　of　his　kingdom　were　all　settled；　King　Thasus　laid　aside　his　purple　robe　and　crown；　and　sceptre；　and　bade　his　worthiest　subjects　distribute　justice　to　the　people　in　his　stead。　Then；　grasping　the　pilgrim's　staff　that　had　supported　him　so　long；　he　set　forth　again；　hoping　still　to　discover　some　hoof…mark　of　the　snow…white　bull；　some　trace　of　the　vanished　child。　He　returned　after　a　lengthened　absence；　and　sat　down　wearily　upon　his　throne。　To　his　latest　hour；　nevertheless；　King　Thasus　showed　his　true…hearted　remembrance　of　Europa；　by　ordering　that　a　fire　should　always　be　kept　burning　in　his　palace；　and　a　bath　steaming　hot；　and　food　ready　to　be　served　up；　and　a　bed　with　snow…white　sheets；　in　case　the　maiden　should　arrive；　and　require　immediate　refreshment。　And；　though　Europa　never　came；　the　good　Thasus　had　the　blessings　of　many　a　poor　traveler；　who　profited　by　the　food　and　lodging　which　were　meant　for　the　little　playmate　of　the　king's　boyhood。

Telephassa　and　Cadmus　were　now　pursuing　their　weary　way；　with　no　companion　but　each　other。　The　queen　leaned　heavily　upon　her　son's　arm；　and　could　walk　only　a　few　miles　a　day。　But　for　all　her　weakness　and　weariness；　she　would　not　be　persuaded　to　give　up　the　search。　It　was　enough　to　bring　tears　into　the　eyes　of　bearded　men　to　hear　the　melancholy　tone　with　which　she　inquired　of　every　stranger　whether　he　could　not　tell　her　any　news　of　the　lost　child。

〃Have　you　seen　a　little　girlno；　no；　I　mean　a　young　maiden　of　full　growthpassing　by　this　way；　mounted　on　a　snow…white　bull；　which　gallops　as　swiftly　as　the　wind？〃

〃We　have　seen　no　such　wondrous　sight；〃　the　people　would　reply；　and　very　often；　taking　Cadmus　aside；　they　whispered　to　him；　〃I