We, too, are charged by our Father, to gather the fruit of True Wisdom. The garden where it is to be found is tended by three fair sisters, the true Hesperides: their names are Faith, Hope, and Charity. Ere we can learn how to reach it, we also have to conquer a Nereus. His name is Difficulty; and when we master him in one form, he rises against us in another. He will never yield at first; he will never hold out against perseverance. And then, that we may not gather of the fruit of Wisdom, Satan will come forth Him we must resist, steadfast in the against us. We shall enjoy the heavenly tree, and feed on the fruit of Immortality. The Story OF Admetus & Alcestis. THERE was wailing and lamentation in the palace of Admetus, King of Thessaly. He had reigned long over a happy people thousands of flocks fed on his many hills: thousands of herds lowed in his sunny valleys. But now his hour was come, and it was ordained by the Fates, that he must leave life and kingdom, and go down into the cold shades. The old men came to his palace gates and wept. The women-wrung their hands for sorrow, and beat their breasts; the very children ceased their sports, and lamented for good King Admetus. He himself was without a tear, though he looked forward to the gloomy palace of Dis, and the river over which none may return. But when he thought of Alcestis, his own, his beautiful Alcestis, the bride that he had won through so much danger, and had loved but for so short a time, then all his courage melted away, and he would have given all that he had for longer life. By chance, Apollo came by that way, and the god was grieved at heart for the sorrow of Admetus. When he had been banished from heaven, he had fed the king's flocks, and Admetus gave him a royal welcome, and laid up a friend in the lover of the bow. And now he came to the palace mourning, but beautiful in his strength. His lyre of many strings was in his hand, his long hair curled over his shoulders, and bright streams of light flashed gloriously from his head. "I have heard of thy grief, O Admetus," thus spake the son of Lato, "and would I could give comfort in deeds, instead of exhorting to patience by words. But the Fates are mightier than Phoebus; what marvel, when Zeus himself obeys their commands? It is fixed that thou must die; it is fixed also that thou must die now. There remains but one hope, and that a vain hope indeed, but yet, if thou biddest me, I will speak it." 66 Speak on, son of Zeus and Lato," said Alcestis. "If there be a hope for Admetus, I will journey far and wide to seek it. I will go to the ageless Hyperboreans, that inhabit the distant north; I will hasten to the Fortunate Islands, where there is never drought, and never storm : I will do all that ever was done, and bear all that ever was borne, so I may but deliver my husband in this sore strait." "Alas, lady," said Phoebus Apollo, "it is not by labours like these, that royal Admetus can be helped. The Fates allow but one offer, and that none will be willing to make. If, indeed, any were hardy enough to die for the king, that man's life should be accepted in his stead. But who will change this pleasant light for the lower shades, until the time comes, that neither courage nor skill can avoid?” "I will," said fair Alcestis, "and I joy in the sacrifice. Live, beloved Admetus, live and reign over sweet Thessaly. I will journey to the pale regions, which the shades inhabit. "Not so," said valiant Admetus, "if I die, I can bear my fate. But I cannot bear that thou shouldest be cut off, in the flower of thy beauty; that thou shouldest lay down thy life for one that is bound, did the gods so will it, to die for thee. Shall not men say, as they gaze on my tomb, even when many ages have passed away, Here lies Admetus, the coward, who saved his life by the Ideath of his bride? Thus shall some man speak, and my dishonour shall never be forgotten." 66 Admetus," thus spake Apollo, and as he spake, his glory was terrible, "thou canst not refuse the gift; the Fates will accept the offer. If thy queen resolves to die for thee, it is not in thy power to gainsay her.” 66 'I am well resolved," said Alcestis; "be witnesses the two goddesses. But since, in the prime of my strength, I go below the earth; do thou, O god of the silver bow, slay me with thy gentle arrows. If I must die, let it be death without pain, and an easy passage into Hades." Thus spake she :-nor was the god regardless of her prayer. But he sware by the king of gods and men, and by the Furies, who avenge perjury, and by the ninefold Styx,* inviolable oath, that he and his sister Artemis would slay Alcestis with their gentle arrows. And so day by day, she pined away with a painless disease, and her husband stood by and wept, and the elders of the city gathered round, and her two children stood by her couch and kissed her hands and her lips. And when the colour was fading from her cheeks, and the eyes grew heavy, and the breath came shorter, Her * Whoever swore falsely by the Styx, was condemned for a hundred years, to the Infernal Regions. |