Page:Fantastics and other Fancies.djvu/121

 of death be mercifully placed at the feet of Aphrodite, that her victim may be able to offer himself up in sacrifice."

Now the secret messengers were eunuchs. And they came again to the palace, and whispered in the ears of the silver-bearded King:—

"He has again poured out the blood of the doves, and he sings the sacred Hymn of Homer, and kisses her marble body until his lips bleed; —and the goddess still smiles the smile of perfect loveliness that is pitiless."

And the King answered:—

"It is even as I desire."

A second time the messengers came to the palace, and whispered in the ears of the iron-eyed King:—

"He bathes her feet with his tears: his heart is tortured as though crushed by fingers of marble; he no longer eats or slumbers, neither drinks he the waters of the Fountain of Bronze;—and the goddess still smiles the mocking smile of eternal and perfect loveliness that is without pity and without mercy."