This eBook was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net>
[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS, Part 1.
By Georg Ebers
The next day Nitetis removed to the country-house in the hanging-gardens,and began a monotonous, but happy and industrious life there, accordingto the rules laid down by Croesus. Every day she was carried toKassandane and Atossa in a closely shut-up litter. Nitetis soon began tolook upon the blind queen as a beloved and loving mother, and the merry,spirited Atossa nearly made up to her for the loss of her sister Tachot,so far away on the distant Nile. She could not have desired a bettercompanion than this gay, cheerful girl, whose wit and merrimenteffectually prevented homesickness or discontent from settling in herfriend's heart. The gravity and earnestness of Nitetis' character werebrightened by Atossa's gaiety, and Atossa's exuberant spirits calmed andregulated by the thoughtful nature of Nitetis.
Both Croesus and Kassandane were pleased and satisfied with their newdaughter and pupil, and Oropastes extolled her talents and industry dailyto Cambyses. She learnt the Persian language unusually well and quickly;Cambyses only visited his mother when he hoped to find Nitetis there, andpresented her continually with rich dresses and costly jewels. But thehighest proof of his favor consisted in his abstaining from visiting herat her house in the hanging-gardens, a line of conduct which proved thathe meant to include Nitetis in the small number of his real and lawfulwives, a privilege of which many a princess in his harem could not boast.
The grave, beautiful girl threw a strange spell over this strong,turbulent man. Her presence alone seemed enough to soften his stubbornwill, and he would watch their games for hours, his eyes fixed on hergraceful movements. Once, when the ball had fallen into the water, theking sprang in after it, regardless of his costly apparel. Nitetisscreamed on seeing his intention, but Cambyses handed her the drippingtoy with the words: "Take care or I shall be obliged to frighten youagain." At the same time he drew from his neck a gold chain set withjewels and gave it to the blushing girl, who thanked him with a lookwhich fully revealed her feelings for her future husband.
Croesus, Kassandane and Atossa soon noticed that Nitetis loved the king.Her former fear of this proud and powerful being had indeed changed intoa passionate admiration. She felt as if she must die if deprived of hispresence. He seemed to her like a, glorious and omnipotent divinity, andher wish to possess him presumptuous and sacrilegious; but its fulfilmentshone before her as an idea more beautiful even than return to her nativeland and reunion with those who, till now, had been her only loved ones.
Nitetis herself was hardly conscious of the strength of her feelings,and believed that when she trembled before the king's arrival it was fromfear, and not from her longing to behold him once more. Croesus,however, had soon discovered the truth, and brought a deep blush to hisfavorite's cheek by singing to her, old as he was, Anacreon's newestsong, which he had learnt at Sais from Ibykus
"We read the flying courser's name
Upon his side in marks of flame;
And by their turban'd brows alone
The warriors of the East are known.