Page:History of Art in Phœnicia and Its Dependencies Vol 1.djvu/311

 THE TEMPLE IN CYPRUS. 289 thing to be found in any known necropolis ? It is more natural to suppose that this was a public fountain, perhaps with a religious prestige. From the neighbouring port women and sailors could come to fill their amphorae, to gossip in the coolness of the heavy roof, and, before they went, to offer up their prayers to the kindly deity, the nymph of the spring, who caused the pellucid water to bubble up just where its freshness would be most welcome. Even now, in spite of all the centuries that have rolled away, the old Phoenician oratory is a place of pilgrimage for the Greek peasants ; FIG. 210. The Panaghia Phaneromeni. Perspective. they seek it as an oracle, and the Virgin mother of Christ plays a part in their popular superstitions which would better suit Astarte. " A rough oil lamp and a few matches are placed in the middle of the little apartment. When a lover wishes to know whether his love is returned, he lights the lamp at nightfall ; if it be still burning at daybreak, his trouble is at an end ; if not, he must console himself as best he can." In all the temples water was placed within easy reach of the 1 DE MARICOURT, Saint-Cyr et Jerusalem, 8vo, p. 145. VOL. I. P P