Pausanias, the Spartan - The Haunted and the Haunters, an Unfinished Historical Romance by Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton
page 68 of 292 (23%)
page 68 of 292 (23%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
father's fear, still less to his love of gold."
"I cannot, I cannot fly thee," said the Spartan, with great emotion. "You know not how stormy, how inexorable are the passions which burst forth after a whole youth of restraint. When nature breaks the barriers, she rushes headlong on her course. I am no gentle wooer; where in Sparta should I learn the art? But, if I love thee not as these mincing Ionians, who come with offerings of flowers and song, I do love thee with all that fervour of which the old Dorian legends tell. I could brave, like the Thracian, the dark gates of Hades, were thy embrace my reward. Command me as thou wilt--make me thy slave in all things, even as Hercules was to Omphale; but tell me only that I may win thy love at last. Fear not. Why fear me? in my wildest moments a look from thee can control me. I ask but love for love. Without thy love thy beauty were valueless. Bid me not despair." Cleonice turned pale, and the large tears that had gathered in her eyes fell slowly down her cheeks; but she did not withdraw her hand from his clasp, or avert her countenance from his eyes. "I do not fear thee," said she, in a very low voice. "I told my father so; but--but--" (and here she drew back her hand and averted her face), "I fear myself." "Ah, no, no," cried the delighted Spartan, detaining her, "do not fear to trust to thine own heart. Talk not of dishonour. There are" (and here the Spartan drew himself up, and his voice took a deeper swell)--"there are those on earth who hold themselves above the miserable judgments of the vulgar herd--who can emancipate themselves from those galling chains of custom and of country which helotize |
|