_In which the Captain gives an account of the great Festivals which
were held, in the Dominions of King Polycarp._
"An island, which is situated not far from Ireland, is my native place.
It is large enough to be called a kingdom, but is not hereditary, nor
does it go by succession. The people elect their sovereign by their
own pleasure, always trying to secure the best and most virtuous man
they can find; and without any intermediate treaties and negotiations,
without either bribes or solicitations, the king is chosen by the
common consent of all, and takes the sceptre of absolute command for
life, or whilst his life continues unchanged in virtues. Thus, those
who are not kings, try to be virtuous in hopes of becoming such, and
those who are kings, continue good, for fear of losing their dignity;
ambition is restrained, and covetousness annihilated. The people live
in tranquillity, justice and mercy shine brightly forth. The former
is not to be obtained or frustrated by bribes, nor by the claims of
kindred. It is a land where none need fear insolence or wrong, and
where every man may enjoy his own in peace.
"This custom, which is in my opinion a good and wholesome one, placed
the sceptre of the kingdom in the hands of Polycarp, a worthy and
renowned man, famous both in arms and learning; and he had, when he
ascended the throne, two daughters of remarkable beauty; the elder is
called Polycarpa, and the younger Sinforosa. They have no mother, which
was a loss he hardly felt, except as a companion, for her virtues and
good qualities were revived in her daughters, giving a bright example
to the whole kingdom. They and their father, are beloved and admired by
every one.
"The sovereigns of this country conceiving that evil thoughts are
engendered among their subjects by melancholy, tried to encourage
mirth and amusement, and established public festivals, and sometimes
plays were performed. The principal of these festivals is held on the
anniversary of the king's accession, when there is a revival of what
were, by the heathens in ancient days, called Olympic Games, in the
best manner they are able. Prizes are given to the swiftest runners;
honours adjudged to the most successful in fencing; crowns to the best
archer, and rewards for wrestling. These games take place in a spacious
plain, near the sea-shore; the spectators are sheltered from the sun
by an infinite quantity of green boughs intertwined together. In the
midst is a sumptuous theatre, in which are seats for the king and royal
family, who are always present to survey the games.
"One of these days had arrived, and Polycarp desired to celebrate it
with greater magnificence than had ever before been known. He and his
daughters, with all the greatest in the land, were already seated; the
sound of musical instruments, both warlike and pacific, had given the
signal that the sports were about to begin; already four youths, light
and active in make, were ready to start for the race, only waiting till
a cord should be withdrawn which served as a line of restraint till the
signal should be given; when, just at this instant, a boat was seen
approaching, with her sides white, as if newly-painted, and impelled
through the waters by six oars on either side, in the hands of twelve
graceful youths, of robust and finely formed make, ample shoulders,
broad chests, and strong arms. They were dressed in white, all but the
one who steered, and he was in the scarlet dress of a mariner. The boat
flew rapidly over the waves, and to run her ashore, and all the men in
her to leap on land, was the work of an instant. Polycarp commanded
that the race should not begin till it was ascertained who these new
comers were, and what they came for, as it was possible they were
coming to assist at the festival, and prove their skill and prowess in
the games.
"The first who advanced to speak to the king, was he who had steered
the boat; a very young man, whose smooth skin was fair as snow, his
curling hair like rings of gold, and every feature of his face so
perfect, his whole form so beautiful, that it was a wondrous sight to
look upon. His beauty instantly won all hearts, and I, among the rest,
felt directly attracted to love and admire him. He addressed the king,
saying, 'Sire! these my companions and myself, having heard the fame
of these games, come to offer our services, and to assist at their
celebration. We are not come from a far country, but from a ship, which
we left in the Isle of Scinta, which is not very distant. As the wind
did not suit to bring her here, we got the boat ready, and manned
her ourselves. We are all of noble birth, desirous to win honour; and
what we come to demand of you as a king, is, that you will allow us,
strangers, to show our strength, or skill, or ingenuity, so as to
obtain renown ourselves, and afford pleasure to you.'
"'Certainly, my agreeable young gentleman,' answered the king, 'you
make your request with so much grace and courtesy, that it would be
difficult to refuse it; you will honour my festival by your presence.
Do all you please, and leave to me the charge of bestowing the rewards
on those who deserve them; and if I am to judge from what I see, I
should say few will have a chance of winning the first prizes while you
are present.'
"The beautiful youth gracefully bent his knee, and bowed his head in
thanks, respectfully, and with an air of high breeding. In two bounds
he stood before the cord by the side of the four runners; his twelve
comrades placed themselves on one side as spectators of the race. A
trumpet sounded, the cord was loosed, and the five sprang forwards
at full speed; but they had not run twenty paces, when the new comer
was more than seven paces ahead; at thirty paces he had gained nearly
fifteen; finally he left them half way behind, as if they had been made
of stone, to the admiration of all beholders, especially of Sinforosa,
who followed him with her eyes, whether he ran, or whether he stood
still; for indeed the beauty and grace of the youth was enough to
attract every eye, and win the hearts of every one that looked upon
him. I observed all attentively, because I had my eyes fixed upon
Polycarpa, the lovely object of my affections, and thus I remarked
also the motions of her sister. Envy began to rise in the breasts of
those who were intending to try for the prizes, when they saw the ease
with which the stranger had won the race. The second trial was that
of fencing; the boy took the foil, and of seven who encountered him,
he hit one on the mouth, the nose of another, closed the eyes of a
third, and gave blows about the head repeatedly, whilst not one of his
adversaries ever succeeded in touching so much as a bit of his clothing.
"With one accord, the public voice adjudged the first prize to him.
"Then six men prepared for wrestling; and the boy, with more grace
than ever, bared his broad shoulders, his wide and ample chest, and
the nerves and muscles of his strong arms, and with incredible address
and dexterity, he shortly made each antagonist measure his length on
the ground. Next he lifted a heavy iron bar, which was driven into the
earth, because he was told that throwing this was the fourth trial
of strength. He swung it for a moment, and then making signs for the
people who were before him to stand aside, that he might have space
for the throw, he flung the bar without turning his arm round, with
such force, that, passing the bounds of the shore, the sea received it,
and there it lay buried. This surprising feat dismayed his opponents,
and none dared so much as to enter the lists in this contest. They
next gave him a cross-bow, and some arrows, and showed him a very high
and smooth pole, at the top of which was fastened part of a lance, on
which a dove was sitting, tied by a slight pack-thread. Those who were
to make this trial, were only permitted a single shot. One, who was
esteemed a very skilful marksman, stepped forward, hoping I believe
to knock the dove over, before the other could try; he drew his
bow, and the arrow struck the end of the lance, the affrighted bird
rose into the air; immediately another, not less confident than the
first, aimed with such dexterity, that he divided the string which
tied the dove, and released from its bonds, it soared free into the
sky; but the youth, who had already gained every first prize, let his
arrow fly, and, as if he had given it its mandate what to do, and it
understood him, it went whistling through the air, and divided the
bird in two, arresting at once its flight and its life. Then the cries
and acclamations of the spectators were renewed, and all praised the
stranger, who in the race, the fencing-match, wrestling, throwing the
bar, and drawing the cross-bow, with sundry other exercises which I
have not mentioned, was unrivalled, and bore away every first prize,
leaving it to his Companions to make their essay, after he had tried
each once.
"It was twilight when the games finished; and when the king Polycarp
arose from his seat, with the other judges, who were there to pronounce
who were the conquerors, and was preparing to reward the victorious
boy, he saw him kneeling before him, and saying, 'Our ship is left
unprotected and deserted; the night is coming on; whatever prizes I
have to hope for, coming from your hand, will be highly esteemed by me:
but, great king, let me pray you to leave them for another time, when,
at more leisure, and with more convenience, I may return to offer my
services, and claim them at your hands.'
"The king raised and embraced him; asked his name, and he told him he
was called Periander. Then the beautiful Sinforosa took a garland from
her head, and placed it on that of the noble youth, and with sweet
and modest grace, she said as she crowned him, 'When my father is so
fortunate as to see you return, you will find that you do not come to
serve him, but to be served, in every way that is in his power.'"
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