Sexual life in ancient Greece : with thirty-two full-page plates

RELIGION AND EROTIC

lion; and forthwith he called Cheiron from out his halls and spake to him in this wise: ‘Son of Philyra, leave thy hallowed cave and look with wonder at a woman’s spirit and mighty power. See what a contest she is waging with undaunted head—this maiden with a heart which no toil can subdue, and a mind that no fear can overwhelm. From what mortal being was she born? From what race hath she been reft, that she should be dwelling in the hollows of the shadowy mountains ? And she is putting to the test a strength that is inexhaustible. Is it right to lay an ennobling hand upon her? aye, and by consorting with her, to cull the honeysweet flower of love?’ Then did the inspired centaur, softly smiling with kindly brow, at once unfold his counsel in reply: ‘Secret, O Phebus, are the keys of wise Persuasion, that unlock the shrine of love ; and, among gods and men alike, do they shun to enter for the first time the sweet bridal-bed in the light of day. Thou then, who canst not lawfully breathe a lie, hast been tempted by thy mood to dissemble in thy words. Dost thou ask, O King, of the maiden’s birth ? thou who knowst the end supreme of all things, and all the ways that lead thereto, the number of the leaves that the earth putteth forth in spring, the number of the sands that, in the sea and rivers, are driven before the waves and the rushing winds, and that which is to be, and whence it is to come—all this thou clearly seest. But if I must measure myself against one that is wise, I needs must speak. Thou camest to this glade to be her wedded lord, and thou shalt bear her over the sea to the choicest garden of Zeus, where thou shalt make her queen of a city, when thou hast gathered the island-folk around the plain-encircled hill ; and soon shall queen Libya amid her broad meadows give in golden palaces a kindly welcome to thy glorious bride.’ ”

Even more frequently in Greek mythology are Apollo’s amours with boys spoken of. Rudolph

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