THE SELECTOR; AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.
Reading edition
NUPTIALS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
At Susa, Alexander collected all the nobles of the empire, and celebrated the most magnificent nuptials recorded in history. He married Barcinè, or Stateira, the daughter of the late king, and thus, in the eyes of his Persian subjects, confirmed his title to the throne. His father, Philip, was a polygamist in practice, although it would be very difficult to prove that the Macedonians in general were allowed a plurality of wives; but Alexander was now the King of Kings, and is more likely to have been guided by Persian than Greek opinions upon the subject. Eighty of his principal officers followed his example, and were united to the daughters of the chief nobility of Persia.
The marriages, in compliment to the brides, were celebrated after the Persian fashion, and during the vernal equinox. For at no other period, by the ancient laws of Persia, could nuptials be legally celebrated. Such an institution is redolent of the poetry and freshness of the new world, and of an attention to the voice of nature, and the analogies of physical life. The young couple would marry in time to sow their field, to reap the harvest, and gather their stores, before the season of cold and scarcity overtook them. It is difficult to say how far this custom prevailed among primitive nations, but it can scarcely be doubted that we still retain lingering traces of it in the harmless amusements of St. Valentine's day.
On the wedding-day Alexander feasted the eighty bridegrooms in a magnificent hall prepared for the purpose. Eighty separate couches were placed for the guests, and on each a magnificent wedding-robe for every individual. At the conclusion of the banquet, and while the wine and the dessert were on the table, the eighty brides were introduced; Alexander first rose, received the princess, took her by the hand, kissed her, and placed her on the couch close to himself. This example was followed by all, till every lady was seated by her betrothed. This formed the whole of the Persian ceremony—the salute being regarded as the seal of appropriation. The Macedonian form was still more simple and symbolical. The bridegroom, dividing a small loaf with his sword, presented one-half to the bride; wine was then poured as a libation on both portions, and the contracting parties tasted of the bread. Cake and wine, as nuptial refreshments, may thus claim a venerable antiquity. In due time the bridegrooms conducted their respective brides to chambers prepared for them within the precincts of the royal palace.
The festivities continued for five days, and all the amusements of the age were put into requisition for the entertainment of the company. Athenaeus has quoted from Charas, a list of the chief performers, which I transcribe more for the sake of the performances and of the states where these lighter arts were brought to the greatest perfection, than of the names, which are now unmeaning sounds. Scymnus from Tarentum, Philistides from Syracuse, and Heracleitus from Mytylenè, were the great jugglers, or as the Greek word intimates, the wonder-workers of the day. After them, Alexis, the Tarentine, displayed his excellence as a rhapsodist, or repeater, to appropriate music, of the soul-stirring poetry of Homer. Cratinus the Methymnoean, Aristonymus the Athenian, Athenodorus the Teian, played on the harp—without being accompanied by the voice. On the contrary, Heracleitus the Tarentine, and Aristocrates the Theban, accompanied their harps with lyric songs. The performers on wind instruments were divided on a similar, although it could not be on the same principle. Dionysius from Heracleia, and Hyperbolus from Cyzicum, sang to the flute, or some such instrument; while Timotheus, Phrynichus, Scaphisius, Diophantus, and Evius, the Chalcidian, first performed the Pythian overture, and then, accompanied by chorusses, displayed the full power of wind instruments in masterly hands. There was also a peculiar class called eulogists of Bacchus; these acquitted themselves so well on this occasion, applying to Alexander those praises which in their extemporaneous effusions had hitherto been confined to the god, that they acquired the name of Eulogists of Alexander. Nor did their reward fail them. The stage, of course, was not without its representatives:—Thessalus, Athenodorus, Aristocritus, in tragedy—Lycon, Phormion, and Ariston, in comedy—exerted their utmost skill, and contended for the prize of superior excellence. Phasimelus, the dancer was also present.
It is yet undecided whether the Persians admitted their matrons to their public banquets and private parties;—but if we can believe the positive testimony of Herodotus, such was the case: and the summons of Vashti to the annual festival, and the admission of Haman to the queen's table, are facts which support the affirmation of that historian. The doubts upon the subject appear to have arisen from confounding the manners of Assyrians, Medes, and Parthians, with those of the more Scythian tribes of Persis. We read in Xenophon that the Persian women were so well made and beautiful, that their attractions might easily have seduced the affections of the Ten Thousand, and have caused them, like the lotus-eating companions of Ulysses, to forget their native land. Some little hints as to the mode in which their beauty was enhanced and their persons decorated, may be expected in the Life of Alexander, who, victorious over their fathers and brothers, yet submitted to their charms.
The Persian ladies wore the tiara or turban richly adorned with jewels. They wore their hair long, and both plaited and curled it; nor, if the natural failed, did they scruple to use false locks. They pencilled the eyebrows, and tinged the eyelid, with a dye that was supposed to add a peculiar brilliancy to the eyes. They were fond of perfumes, and their delightful ottar was the principal favourite. Their tunic and drawers were of fine linen, the robe or gown of silk—the train of this was long, and on state occasions required a supporter. Round the waist they wore a broad zone or cincture, flounced on both edges, and embroidered and jewelled in the centre. They also wore stockings and gloves, but history has not recorded their materials. They used no sandals; a light and ornamented shoe was worn in the house; and for walking they had a kind of coarse half boot. They used shawls and wrappers for the person, and veils for the head; the veil was large and square, and when thrown over the head descended low on all sides. They were fond of glowing colours, especially of purple, scarlet, and light-blue dresses. Their favourite ornaments were pearls; they wreathed these in their hair, wore them as necklaces, ear-drops, armlets, bracelets, anklets, and worked them into conspicuous parts of their dresses. Of the precious stones they preferred emeralds, rubies, and turquoises, which were set in gold and worn like the pearls.
Alexander did not limit his liberality to the wedding festivities, but presented every bride with a handsome marriage portion. He also ordered the names of all the soldiers who had married Asiatic wives to be registered; their number exceeded 10,000; and each received a handsome present, under the name of marriage gift.—Williams's Life of Alexander, Family Library, No. 3.
POEMS, BY W.T. MONCRIEFF.
This is a pretty little volume of graceful poems, printed "at the author's private press, for private distribution only." They are, however, entitled by their merits, to more extensive, or public circulation; for many of them evince the good taste and pure feelings of the writer. Some of the pieces relate to domestic circumstances, others are calculated to cheat "sorrow of a smile," whilst all are, to use a set phrase, highly honourable to the head and heart of the author. In proof of this, we could detach several pages; but we have only space for a few:
SONG.
As flowers, that seem the light to shun At evening's dusk and morning's haze, Expand beneath the noon-tide sun, And bloom to beauty in his rays, So maidens, in a lover's eyes, A thousand times more lovely grow, Yield added sweetness to his sighs, And with unwonted graces glow.
As gems from light their brilliance gain,
And brightest shine when shone upon,
Nor half their orient rays retain,
When light wanes dim and day is gone:
So Beauty beams, for one dear one!
Acquires fresh splendour in his sight,
Her life—her light—her day—her sun—
ANECDOTE VERSIFIED.
Lord Albemarle to Mademoiselle Gaucher, on seeing her look very earnestly at the Evening Star.
Oh! do not gaze upon that star,
That distant star, so earnestly,
If thou would'st not my pleasure mar—
And, such is my unbounded love, Thou should'st not gaze upon a thing I would not make thee mistress of, And prove in love, at least, a King!
STANZAS TO THE SHADE OF ——
In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,—an image was before mine eyes; there was silence, and I heard a voice. JOB iv. 13.
Reproach me not, beloved shade! Nor think thy memory less I prize; The smiles that o'er my features play'd, But hid my pangs from vulgar eyes. I acted like the worldling boy, With heart to every feeling vain: I smil'd with all, yet felt no joy; I wept with all, yet felt no pain, No—though, to veil thoughts of gloom, I seem'd to twine Joy's rosy wreath, 'Twas but as flowerets o'er a tomb. Which only hide the woe beneath. I lose no portion of my woes, Although my tears in secret flow; More green and fresh the verdure grows, Where the cold streams run hid below.
A MODEST ODE TO FORTUNE.
"Et genus et formam regina pecunia donat." HOR.
O Goddess Fortune, hear my prayer, And make a bard for once thy care! I do not ask, in houses splendid, To be by liveried slaves attended; I ask not for estates, nor land, Nor host of vassals at command; I ask not for a handsome wife— Though I dislike a single life; I ask not friends, nor fame, nor power, Nor courtly rank, nor leisure's hour; I ask not books, nor wine, nor plate. Nor yet acquaintance with the great; Nor dance, nor sons, nor mirth, nor jest, Nor treasures of the East or West; I ask not beauty, wit, nor ease, Nor qualities more blest than these— Learning nor genius, skill nor art, Nor valour for the hero's part; These, though I much desire to have, I do not, dearest goddess, crave.— I modestly for MONEY call— For money will procure them all!
ANACREONTIC.
Come fill the bowl!—one summer's day, Some hearts, that had been wreck'd and sever'd, Again to tempt the liquid way, And join their former mates endeavour'd; But then arose this serious question. Which best to kindred hearts would guide? Water, was Prudence' pure suggestion, But that they thought too cool a tide! Peace bade them try the milky way, But they were fearful 'twould becalm them; Cried Love, on dews of morning stray,— They deem'd 'twould from their purpose charm them. Cried Friendship, try the ruby tide,— They did—each obstacle departs; 'Tis still with wine 'reft hearts will glide Most surely unto kindred hearts.
THE PILGRIM PRINCE.—BALLAD.
At blush of morn, the silver horn Was loudly blown at the castle gate; And, from the wall, the Seneschal Saw there a weary pilgrim wait. "What news—what news, thou stranger bold? Thy looks are rough, thy raiment old! And little does Lady Isabel care To know how want and poverty fare." "Ah let me straight that lady see, For far I come from the North Country!" "And who art thou, bold wight, I trow, That would to Lady Isabel speak!" "One who, long since shone as a prince, And kiss'd her damask cheek: But oh, my trusty sword has fail'd, The cruel Paynim has prevail'd, My lands are lost, my friends are few, Trifles all, if my lady's true!" "Poor prince! ah when did woman's truth, Outlive the loss of lands and youth!"