MYRTLE AND OLEANDER
'Varro, goest thou to the Temple to-day?' said Nika.
'Yes, dearest; Chios is to receive the golden crown and freedom of this
city.'
'I trust those honours will sit lightly on him.'
'Fear not, Nika. He is very stolid. Really, I do not know what has come
to him.'
'I do,' said she laughingly; 'he is in love.'
'Nonsense! Nothing of the kind. He would never trouble about such a
thing.'
'How knowest thou?'
'How do I know? Well, really, I cannot answer thee, but thou must know
if a man loves there must be something to love. Chios is a confirmed
bachelor. I believe he almost hates women; that is to say, as far as
making himself a lover. I never even knew him to commit the crime of a
weak flirtation.'
'Ah, ah! So much for the reading of a man's mind by a man. Let a woman
make up a man, and thou, mighty Roman, read the minds of women. 'Tis
more natural.'
'Well, Nika, I must away. I must leave thee. The time is short, and I
have business of my own before I go to the Temple. There will be no
public demonstration. Chios wishes it so.'
'Before thou dost depart, listen. Something befitting the occasion
comes to my mind. Send him a message of congratulation. Write it with
thine own hand, and seal it with the stamp of Imperial Rome. He will
cherish it more than many crowns.'
'Very thoughtful of thee. It shall be done. The presentation takes place
within the Temple. The great priestess will be there, and, if I can so
arrange, she, his preserver, shall present it. Nice idea, is it not?'
'Very.'
'Wilt thou witness the ceremony, Nika?'
'No.'
'Farewell, sweet one; I will return before sundown and tell thee all the
news.'
* * * * *
The crown and the congratulation were conveyed to the Temple. When the
High Priest read the request of the Proconsul, that Saronia should
present them, he smiled, saying:
'Let it be so.'
Saronia thought the request unusual, but the priest said:
'Foster the whim; no harm can come of it.'
* * * * *
It was past noon; the great sun shone out with refulgent glory. Not a
cloud sailed the azure depths. The birds were sheltering from the heat
between the branches of the citron-trees. An eagle flew by flapping its
wings as Chios met the Roman at the gateway of the Sacred Shrine.
They moved towards the marble steps, and, ascending past pronaos and
vestibule, went within the gates of ivory and gold and stood near the
altar, around which were gathered the High Priest and Priestess and
their attendants.
The Proconsul and Chios bowed lowly, and were saluted in return; and the
proclamation ran:
'WHEREAS Chios, the Greek of Ephesus, has proved to the people
of this city that he possesses heroic courage, and used it well
on behalf of a fallen enemy of the Sacred Goddess:
'The PROCONSUL, the COUNCIL, and the PEOPLE request that he be
crowned with a crown of gold, and, FURTHER, that the Act be
proclaimed at the festival of Dionysus at the Great Theatre,
and a place be allotted to him in a Tribe and a Thousand:
'THAT he possesses the privilege of occupying a front seat at
the games, and is exempt from paying duty on all articles
imported or exported by him, and that he has right to leave or
enter the city in time of peace or war.
'THIS DECREE to be inscribed by the Temple Wardens in the Great
Temple of Artemis, where other grants of citizens have been
subscribed.
'THAT ALL MEN MAY KNOW the people of Ephesus delight to honour
such deeds of heroism, whether performed on behalf of a friend
or an enemy.'
This read, Saronia the High Priestess bade Chios come to her, and taking
the crown from an attendant, she placed it on the brow of the Greek,
saying: 'Hail, honoured of the Ephesian people!' And at the same time
she handed him the letter sealed with the seal of Rome.
As she did so, she looked steadfastly into his eyes, conveying her
thought to him: 'Open it not here.'
He saw the oleander and the myrtle both entwined upon her bosom, and
this he understood not.
He placed the parchment within the folds of his robe, and after thanking
the givers, he retired with the Proconsul.
After passing the precincts of the Temple, the two men wished each other
fortune and separated--the Roman to Nika, and Chios to wonder at the
twin symbol which graced the bosom of Saronia.
He broke the seal of the parchment; between the folds he saw a tiny
scrap. He read it--the other was nothing to him.
'To-morrow, when midnight has passed, haste to the bend of the river
Cayster, which flows by the grove of Hecate. Fear nothing. The child of
the Bride of Britain will be there.'
It was from Saronia, and he feared for her. He kissed the tiny scrap
passionately.
'I will be there should all the Furies in Hades block the way....
'By the bend of the river--by the bend of the Cayster which washes the
fringe of the horrible grove. I know the place well, where the
chrysophrus with golden-coloured head swims to and fro. I know the spot
where the iris bends its yellow flowers, where the lordly swans glide
past, and the cranes dwell, and the nightingale sings from the silvery
leaves of the sacred trees.
'I will be there, Saronia, my soul, my light, my love! I will be there
to strike for thee with the strength of a lion if needs be!'