was a woman who loved her husband better than her own soul, you know that I am such an one. I need not therefore, speak of things in particular; my actions have convinced you more than any words I can now use. Yet I declare, by the love we bear each other, I had rather be buried with you, approving yourself a brave man, than to live with you in disgrace and shame; so much do I think you and myself worthy of the noblest things.

"We owe great obligations to Cyrus. When I was his captive, he did not treat me as a slave, but kept me for you, as if he had been my brother. Besides, when he permitted me to send for you, I promised that you would be a more true and faithful friend than Araspes."

Abradatas, laying his hand gently on her head, and raising his eyes to heaven, said, "Oh, great Jove, grant that I may be a husband worthy of Panthea, and a friend worthy of Cyrus!"

When he had mounted the chariot, and the driver had shut the door, Panthea kissed the place where his foot had rested, as he entered, unknown to him, she followed a short distance; when he turned and perceived her, he said, "Take courage, Panthea! Farewell, and be happy; now go to your home."

Though Abradatas and his equipage made a gorgeous appearance, the people could look at nothing but Panthea, so long as she was in sight. Her attendants conducted her to her conveyance, and concealed her by throwing the covering of a tent over her.

Abradatas, inspired by gratitude to Cyrus, and love for Panthea, insisted upon being placed in the foremost danger, where he fought with strength and courage, almost supernatural.

When the long and bloody struggle was over, and Cyrus had given directions concerning the division of the spoils among his victorious army, he said, "Why does not Abradatas appear before me? Have any of you seen him?" One of the servants replied, “My sovereign, he comes not because he is no longer living. He died in the battle, as his chariot broke into the Egyptian ranks. It is said that his wife has taken up the dead body and brought it hither beside her in the carriage; and her servants are digging a grave on a certain eminence by the river Pactolus. Panthea has decked him with all the ornaments she has, and is sitting on the ground, with his head on her knees."

Cyrus smote himself, with an exclamation of deep sorrow. Having given orders to rich ornaments

prepare

and sheep, oxen and horses, suitable for the burial of a prince, a friend, and an excellent man, he set off with a thousand horsemen, toward the scene of affliction.

tears.

When he came in sight of Panthea, with the dead body reposing on her lap, he could not restrain his "Alas! thou brave and faithful soul; and hast thou gone from us?" said he, affectionately taking the right hand of Abradatas. The hand separated from the wrist; for it had been cut off by the Egyptians. Panthea shrieked piteously; and taking the hand from Cyrus, she kissed it, and endeavoured to fit it to its place. "The rest is in the same condition, Cyrus," said she, "but why should you see it. I know that I was partly the cause of his sufferings. Fool that I was! I exhorted him to behave in such a manner as to gain your notice. He has died without reproach; and I, who urged him on, sit here alive."

Cyrus, for some time wept in silence; at last he said, "Woman, he has died a noble death; for he died victorious. Be assured he shall not want respect and honour in all things. Such sacrifices shall be offered as are proper for a brave man, and a monument shall be raised worthy of him and us.

You shall be provided

for, and such honours paid to you as your virtues deserve

åt my hands. Do but make known to me where you wish to go, and suitable attendance shall be immediately furnished. Panthea expressed her gratitude; adding, "Be assured, Cyrus, I will soon let you know to whom I wish to go."

The generous king went away full of grief that those who had loved each other so well should be thus cruelly separated. When he had gone, Panthea dismissed all the attendants except her nurse, to whom she gave orders that her body, when she was dead, should be wrapped in the same mantle with her husband. The nurse, suspecting her intention, intreated her to change her purpose; and finding her prayers of no avail, she sat down and burst into tears. Panthea plunged a sword into her heart, and laying her head upon her husband's breast, expired. The nurse uttered a shriek of lamentation; and when she saw that all was indeed over, she covered the bodies as she had been directed.

When the three servants discovered what had been done after they were sent away, they likewise killed themselves. Cyrus caused a magnificent monument to be erected, on which the names of Abradatas and Panthea were inscribed in Syriac letters. Below were

three pillars raised in commemoration of the faithful

attendants.

The last act of the unfortunate Panthea must not be judged too harshly. She lived before the light of the Gospel had dawned upon the world, and in those stern times, self-sacrifice, under such circumstances, was deemed a sublime virtue.

Without knowing it to be a sin, she rushed from a world where she saw nothing remaining for her but the lingering death of a breaking heart; and we can only hope that her spirit was soon united to him she loved, in a region where ignorance is enlightened, and goodness made perfect.

CALPHURNIA, WIFE OF PLINY THE YOUNGER.

Pliny the younger was born A. D. 113. He had very great reputation as a lawyer, and was particularly renowned for his eloquence. He was Consul during the reign of Trajan, and pronounced a splendid panegyric upon that Emperor before the Roman senate: this fine specimen of his eloquence, and his "Epistles," are all that remain of his writings.