按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
As fast as their princely robes got torn and tattered； they exchanged them for such mean attire as ordinary people wore。 By and by； they come to have a wild and homeless aspect； so that you would much sooner have taken them for a gypsy family than a queen and three princes； and a young nobleman； who had once a palace for a home； and a train of servants to do their bidding。 The four boys grew up to be tall young men； with sunburnt faces。 Each of them girded on a sword； to defend themselves against the perils of the way。 When the husbandmen； at whose farmhouses they sought hospitality； needed their assistance in the harvest field； they gave it willingly； and Queen Telephassa （who had done no work in her palace； save to braid silk threads with golden ones） came behind them to bind the sheaves。 If payment was offered； they shook their heads； and only asked for tidings of Europa。
〃There are bulls enough in my pasture；〃 the old farmers would reply； 〃but I never heard of one like this you tell me of。 A snow…white bull with a little princess on his back！ Ho！ 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