[4] Pythia was a woman whom Aristotle loved, and to whom after her death he paid divine honors, solemnizing her memory by the same sacrifices which the Athenians offered to the Goddess Ceres.
[5] Socrates, who used to console himself in the society of Aspasia for those "less endearing ties" which he found at home with Xantippe.
[6] There are some sensible letters extant under the name of this fair Pythagorean. They are addressed to her female friends upon the education of children, the treatment of servants, etc.
[7] The river Alpheus, which flowed by Pisa or Olympia, and into which it was customary to throw offerings of different kinds, during the celebration of the Olympic games. In the pretty romance of Clitophon and Leucippe, the river is supposed to carry these offerings as bridal gifts to the fountain Arethusa.
I could resign that eye of blue. How e'er its splendor used to thrill me; And even that cheek of roseate hue,-- To lose it, Cloe, scarce would kill me.
That snowy neck I ne'er should miss, However much I've raved about it; And sweetly as that lip can kiss, I _think_ I could exist without it.
In short, so well I've learned to fast, That, sooth my love, I know not whether I might not bring myself at last, To--do without you altogether.
I bring thee, love, a golden chain, I bring thee too a flowery wreath; The gold shall never wear a stain, The flowerets long shall sweetly breathe. Come, tell me which the tie shall be, To bind thy gentle heart to me.
The Chain is formed of golden threads, Bright as Minerva's yellow hair, When the last beam of evening sheds Its calm and sober lustre there. The Wreath's of brightest myrtle wove, With sunlit drops of bliss among it, And many a rose-leaf, culled by Love, To heal his lip when bees have stung it. Come, tell me which the tie shall be, To bind thy gentle heart to me.
Yes, yes, I read that ready eye, Which answers when the tongue is loath, Thou likest the form of either tie, And spreadest thy playful hands for both. Ah!--if there were not something wrong, The world would see them blended oft; The Chain would make the Wreath so strong! The Wreath would make the Chain so soft! Then might the gold, the flowerets be Sweet fetters for my love and me.