Page:The Anglo-Saxon version of the story of Apollonius of Tyre.djvu/62

54 his garments from his breast, and cast himself withtears and groans upon her inanimate body. "Dear wife!" he exclaimed, "daughter of the great Arcestrates, how shall I console thy unhappy parent?" Here the pilot, interrupting him, observed: "Sir, it will prejudice the ship to retain the dead body on board; command that it he cast into the sea."

"Wretch that you are!" returned Apollonius, "would you wish me to hurl this form into the waves, that succoured me shipwrecked and in poverty?" Then calling his attendants, he directed them to prepare a coffin, and smear the lid with bitumen. He also commanded a leaden scroll to accompany the body, which, arrayed in regal habiliments, and crowned, was deposited in the coffin. He kissed her cold lips, and wept bitterly. Afterwards, giving strict charge respecting the new-bora infant, he committed all that remained of his wife to the sea.

On the third day the chest was driven by the waves to the shores of Ephesus, not far from the residence of a physician called Cerimon, who happened at that hour to be walking with certain of his pupils upon the sands. Observing the chest deserted by the waters, he commanded his servants to secure it with all speed, and convey it to his house: this done, he opened it, and discovered a beautiful girl, attired in royal apparel. Her uncommon loveliness struck all the spectators with astonishment; for she was as a