Werewetodrowntheworldwiththem,couldtheworldblameus?
"Buttoresume:Shallwe,mycountrymen,sufferthiswickedstrangertodepartunharmed,andtriumphinhistreacherousvictory,amongdistantcommunitiesoftheearth?Shallwenotrathercompelhimtoleavehisboneshereonoursoil,bythesideofourslainbrother’sbones?sothat,whileoneskeletonshallremainastheeverlastingmonumentofoursorrow,theothershallendureaslong,exhibitingtothewholehumanraceaterribleexampleofPygmyvengeance!Suchisthequestion。I
putittoyouinfullconfidenceofaresponsethatshallbeworthyofournationalcharacter,andcalculatedtoincrease,ratherthandiminish,theglorywhichourancestorshavetransmittedtous,andwhichweourselveshaveproudlyvindicatedinourwarfarewiththecranes。"
Theoratorwashereinterruptedbyaburstofirrepressibleenthusiasm;everyindividualPygmycryingoutthatthenationalhonormustbepreservedatallhazards。Hebowed,and,makingagestureforsilence,wounduphisharangueinthefollowingadmirablemanner:
"Itonlyremainsforus,then,todecidewhetherweshallcarryonthewarinournationalcapacity——oneunitedpeopleagainstacommonenemy——orwhethersomechampion,famousinformerfights,shallbeselectedtodefytheslayerofourbrotherAntaeustosinglecombat。Inthelattercase,thoughnotunconsciousthattheremaybetallermenamongyou,Iherebyoffermyselfforthatenviableduty。Andbelieveme,dearcountrymen,whetherIliveordie,thehonorofthisgreatcountry,andthefamebequeathedusbyourheroicprogenitors,shallsuffernodiminutioninmyhands。Never,whileIcanwieldthissword,ofwhichInowflingawaythescabbard——never,never,never,evenifthecrimsonhandthatslewthegreatAntaeusshalllaymeprostrate,likehim,onthesoilwhichIgivemylifetodefend。"
Sosaying,thisvaliantPygmydrewouthisweapon(whichwasterribletobehold,beingaslongasthebladeofapenknife),andsentthescabbardwhirlingovertheheadsofthemultitude。
Hisspeechwasfollowedbyanuproarofapplause,asitspatriotismandself-devotionunquestionablydeserved;andtheshoutsandclappingofhandswouldhavebeengreatlyprolonged,hadtheynotbeenrenderedquiteinaudiblebyadeeprespiration,vulgarlycalledasnore,fromthesleepingHercules。
ItwasfinallydecidedthatthewholenationofPygmiesshouldsettoworktodestroyHercules;not,beitunderstood,fromanydoubtthatasinglechampionwouldbecapableofputtinghimtothesword,butbecausehewasapublicenemy,andallweredesirousofsharinginthegloryofhisdefeat。Therewasadebatewhetherthenationalhonordidnotdemandthataheraldshouldbesentwithatrumpet,tostandovertheearofHercules,andafterblowingablastrightintoit,todefyhimtothecombatbyformalproclamation。ButtwoorthreevenerableandsagaciousPygmies,wellversedinstateaffairs,gaveitastheiropinionthatwaralreadyexisted,andthatitwastheirrightfulprivilegetotaketheenemybysurprise。
Moreover,ifawakened,andallowedtogetuponhisfeet,Herculesmighthappentodothemamischiefbeforehecouldbebeatendownagain。For,asthesesagecounselorsremarked,thestranger’sclubwasreallyverybig,andhadrattledlikeathunderboltagainsttheskullofAntaeus。SothePygmiesresolvedtosetasideallfoolishpunctilios,andassailtheirantagonistatonce。
Accordingly,allthefightingmenofthenationtooktheirweapons,andwentboldlyuptoHercules,whostilllayfastasleep,littledreamingoftheharmwhichthePygmiesmeanttodohim。Abodyoftwentythousandarchersmarchedinfront,withtheirlittlebowsallready,andthearrowsonthestring。
ThesamenumberwereorderedtoclamberuponHercules,somewithspadestodighiseyesout,andotherswithbundlesofhay,andallmannerofrubbishwithwhichtheyintendedtopluguphismouthandnostrils,sothathemightperishforlackofbreath。Theselast,however,couldbynomeansperformtheirappointedduty;inasmuchastheenemy’sbreathrushedoutofhisnoseinanobstreperoushurricaneandwhirlwind,whichblewthePygmiesawayasfastastheycamenigh。Itwasfoundnecessary,therefore,tohituponsomeothermethodofcarryingonthewar。
Afterholdingacouncil,thecaptainsorderedtheirtroopstocollectsticks,straws,dryweeds,andwhatevercombustiblestufftheycouldfind,andmakeapileofit,heapingithigharoundtheheadofHercules。AsagreatmanythousandPygmieswereemployedinthistask,theysoonbroughttogetherseveralbushelsofinflammatorymatter,andraisedsotallaheap,that,mountingonitssummit,theywerequiteuponalevelwiththesleeper’sface。Thearchers,meanwhile,werestationedwithinbowshot,withorderstoletflyatHerculestheinstantthathestirred。Everythingbeinginreadiness,atorchwasappliedtothepile,whichimmediatelyburstintoflames,andsoonwaxedhotenoughtoroasttheenemy,hadhebutchosentoliestill。APygmy,youknow,thoughsoverysmall,mightsettheworldonfire,justaseasilyasaGiantcould;sothatthiswascertainlytheverybestwayofdealingwiththeirfoe,providedtheycouldhavekepthimquietwhiletheconflagrationwasgoingforward。
ButnosoonerdidHerculesbegintobescorched,thanuphestarted,withhishairinaredblaze。
"What’sallthis?"hecried,bewilderedwithsleep,andstaringabouthimasifheexpectedtoseeanotherGiant。
Atthatmomentthetwentythousandarcherstwangedtheirbowstrings,andthearrowscamewhizzing,likesomanywingedmosquitoes,rightintothefaceofHercules。ButIdoubtwhethermorethanhalfadozenofthempuncturedtheskin,whichwasremarkablytough,asyouknowtheskinofaherohasgoodneedtobe。
"Villain!"shoutedallthePygmiesatonce。"YouhavekilledtheGiantAntaeus,ourgreatbrother,andtheallyofournation。Wedeclarebloodywaragainstyou,andwillslayyouonthespot。"
Surprisedattheshrillpipingofsomanylittlevoices,Hercules,afterputtingouttheconflagrationofhishair,gazedallroundabout,butcouldseenothing。Atlast,however,lookingnarrowlyontheground,heespiedtheinnumerableassemblageofPygmiesathisfeet。Hestoopeddown,andtakingupthenearestonebetweenhisthumbandfinger,sethimonthepalmofhislefthand,andheldhimataproperdistanceforexamination。ItchancedtobetheveryidenticalPygmywhohadspokenfromthetopofthetoadstool,andhadofferedhimselfasachampiontomeetHerculesinsinglecombat。
"Whatintheworld,mylittlefellow,"ejaculatedHercules,"mayyoube?"
"Iamyourenemy,"answeredthevaliantPygmy,inhismightiestsqueak。"YouhaveslaintheenormousAntaeus,ourbrotherbythemother’sside,andforagesthefaithfulallyofourillustriousnation。Wearedeterminedtoputyoutodeath;andformyownpart,Ichallengeyoutoinstantbattle,onequalground。"
HerculeswassotickledwiththePygmy’sbigwordsandwarlikegestures,thatheburstintoagreatexplosionoflaughter,andalmostdroppedthepoorlittlemiteofacreatureoffthepalmofhishand,throughtheecstasyandconvulsionofhismerriment。
"Uponmyword,"criedhe,"IthoughtIhadseenwondersbeforeto-day——hydraswithnineheads,stagswithgoldenhorns,six-leggedmen,three-headeddogs,giantswithfurnacesintheirstomachs,andnobodyknowswhatbesides。Buthere,onthepalmofmyhand,standsawonderthatoutdoesthemall!Yourbody,mylittlefriend,isaboutthesizeofanordinaryman’sfinger。Pray,howbigmayyoursoulbe?"
"Asbigasyourown!"saidthePygmy。
Herculeswastouchedwiththelittleman’sdauntlesscourage,andcouldnothelpacknowledgingsuchabrotherhoodwithhimasoneherofeelsforanother。
"Mygoodlittlepeople,"saidhe,makingalowobeisancetothegrandnation,"notforalltheworldwouldIdoanintentionalinjurytosuchbravefellowsasyou!Yourheartsseemtomesoexceedinglygreat,that,uponmyhonor,Imarvelhowyoursmallbodiescancontainthem。Isueforpeace,and,asaconditionofit,willtakefivestrides,andbeoutofyourkingdomatthesixth。Good-bye。Ishallpickmystepscarefully,forfearoftreadinguponsomefiftyofyou,withoutknowingit。Ha,ha,ha!Ho,ho,ho!Foronce,Herculesacknowledgeshimselfvanquished。"
Somewriterssay,thatHerculesgatheredupthewholeraceofPygmiesinhislion’sskin,andcarriedthemhometoGreece,forthechildrenofKingEurystheustoplaywith。Butthisisamistake。Heleftthem,oneandall,withintheirownterritory,where,foraughtIcantell,theirdescendantsarealivetothepresentday,buildingtheirlittlehouses,cultivatingtheirlittlefields,spankingtheirlittlechildren,wagingtheirlittlewarfarewiththecranes,doingtheirlittlebusiness,whateveritmaybe,andreadingtheirlittlehistoriesofancienttimes。Inthosehistories,perhaps,itstandsrecorded,that,agreatmanycenturiesago,thevaliantPygmiesavengedthedeathoftheGiantAntaeusbyscaringawaythemightyHercules。
THEDRAGON’STEETH。
Cadmus,Phoenix,andCilix,thethreesonsofKingAgenor,andtheirlittlesisterEuropa(whowasaverybeautifulchild),wereatplaytogetherneartheseashoreintheirfather’skingdomofPhoenicia。Theyhadrambledtosomedistancefromthepalacewheretheirparentsdwelt,andwerenowinaverdantmeadow,ononesideofwhichlaythesea,allsparklinganddimplinginthesunshine,andmurmuringgentlyagainstthebeach。Thethreeboyswereveryhappy,gatheringflowers,andtwiningthemintogarlands,withwhichtheyadornedthelittleEuropa。Seatedonthegrass,thechildwasalmosthiddenunderanabundanceofbudsandblossoms,whenceherrosyfacepeepedmerrilyout,and,asCadmussaid,wastheprettiestofalltheflowers。
Justthen,therecameasplendidbutterfly,flutteringalongthemeadow;andCadmus,Phoenix,andCilixsetoffinpursuitofit,cryingoutthatitwasaflowerwithwings。Europa,whowasalittleweariedwithplayingalldaylong,didnotchasethebutterflywithherbrothers,butsatstillwheretheyhadlefther,andclosedhereyes。Forawhile,shelistenedtothepleasantmurmurofthesea,whichwaslikeavoicesaying"Hush!"andbiddinghergotosleep。Buttheprettychild,ifshesleptatall,couldnothavesleptmorethanamoment,whensheheardsomethingtrampleonthegrass,notfarfromher,and,peepingoutfromtheheapofflowers,beheldasnow-whitebull。
Andwhencecouldthisbullhavecom?Europaandherbrothershadbeenalongtimeplayinginthemeadow,andhadseennocattle,norotherlivingthing,eitherthereorontheneighboringhills。
"BrotherCadmus!"criedEuropa,startingupoutofthemidstoftherosesandlilies。"Phoenix!Cilix!Whereareyouall?Help!
Help!Comeanddriveawaythisbull!"
Butherbrothersweretoofarofftohear;especiallyasthefrighttookawayEuropa’svoice,andhinderedherfromcallingveryloudly。Sothereshestood,withherprettymouthwideopen,aspaleasthewhiteliliesthatweretwistedamongtheotherflowersinhergarlands。
Nevertheless,itwasthesuddennesswithwhichshehadperceivedthebull,ratherthananythingfrightfulinhisappearance,thatcausedEuropasomuchalarm。Onlookingathimmoreattentively,shebegantoseethathewasabeautifulanimal,andevenfanciedaparticularlyamiableexpressioninhisface。Asforhisbreath——thebreathofcattle,youknow,isalwayssweet——itwasasfragrantasifhehadbeengrazingonnootherfoodthanrosebuds,oratleast,themostdelicateofcloverblossoms。Neverbeforedidabullhavesuchbrightandtendereyes,andsuchsmoothhornsofivory,asthisone。Andthebullranlittleraces,andcaperedsportivelyaroundthechild;sothatshequiteforgothowbigandstronghewas,and,fromthegentlenessandplayfulnessofhisactions,sooncametoconsiderhimasinnocentacreatureasapetlamb。
Thus,frightenedassheatfirstwas,youmightbyandbyhaveseenEuropastrokingthebull’sforeheadwithhersmallwhitehand,andtakingthegarlandsoffherownheadtohangthemonhisneckandivoryhorns。Thenshepulledupsomebladesofgrass,andheatethemoutofherhand,notasifhewerehungry,butbecausehewantedtobefriendswiththechild,andtookpleasureineatingwhatshehadtouched。Well,mystars!
wasthereeversuchagentle,sweet,pretty,andamiablecreatureasthisbull,andeversuchaniceplaymateforalittlegirl?
Whentheanimalsaw(forthebullhadsomuchintelligencethatitisreallywonderfultothinkof),whenhesawthatEuropawasnolongerafraidofhim,hegrewoverjoyed,andcouldhardlycontainhimselffordelight。Hefriskedaboutthemeadow,nowhere,nowthere,makingsprightlyleaps,withaslittleeffortasabirdexpendsinhoppingfromtwigtotwig。
Indeed,hismotionwasaslightasifhewereflyingthroughtheair,andhishoofsseemedhardlytoleavetheirprintinthegrassysoiloverwhichhetrod。Withhisspotlesshue,heresembledasnowdrift,waftedalongbythewind。OncehegallopedsofarawaythatEuropafearedlestshemightneverseehimagain;so,settingupherchildishvoice,calledhimback。
"Comeback,prettycreature!"shecried。"Hereisanicecloverblossom。"
Andthenitwasdelightfultowitnessthegratitudeofthisamiablebull,andhowhewassofullofjoyandthankfulnessthathecaperedhigherthanever。Hecamerunning,andbowedhisheadbeforeEuropa,asifheknewhertobeaking’sdaughter,orelserecognizedtheimportanttruththatalittlegirliseverybody’squeen。Andnotonlydidthebullbendhisneck,heabsolutelykneltdownatherfeet,andmadesuchintelligentnods,andotherinvitinggestures,thatEuropaunderstoodwhathemeantjustaswellasifhehadputitinsomanywords。
"Come,dearchild,"waswhathewantedtosay,"letmegiveyouarideonmyback。"
Atthefirstthoughtofsuchathing,Europadrewback。Butthensheconsideredinherwiselittleheadthattherecouldbenopossibleharmintakingjustonegalloponthebackofthisdocileandfriendlyanimal,whowouldcertainlysetherdowntheveryinstantshedesiredit。Andhowitwouldsurpriseherbrotherstoseeherridingacrossthegreenmeadow!Andwhatmerrytimestheymighthave,eithertakingturnsforagallop,orclamberingonthegentlecreature,allfourchildrentogether,andcareeringroundthefieldwithshoutsoflaughterthatwouldbeheardasfaroffasKingAgenor’spalace!
"IthinkIwilldoit,"saidthechildtoherself。
And,indeed,whynot?Shecastaglancearound,andcaughtaglimpseofCadmus,Phoenix,andCilix,whowerestillinpursuitofthebutterfly,almostattheotherendofthemeadow。Itwouldbethequickestwayofrejoiningthem,togetuponthewhitebull’sback。Shecameastepnearertohimtherefore;and——sociablecreaturethathewas——heshowedsomuchjoyatthismarkofherconfidence,thatthechildcouldnotfindinherhearttohesitateanylonger。Makingonebound(forthislittleprincesswasasactiveasasquirrel),theresatEuropaonthebeautifulbull,holdinganivoryhornineachhand,lestsheshouldfalloff。
"Softly,prettybull,softly!"shesaid,ratherfrightenedatwhatshehaddone。"Donotgalloptoofast。"
Havinggotthechildonhisback,theanimalgavealeapintotheair,andcamedownsolikeafeatherthatEuropadidnotknowwhenhishoofstouchedtheground。Hethenbeganaracetothatpartofthefloweryplainwhereherthreebrotherswere,andwheretheyhadjustcaughttheirsplendidbutterfly。Europascreamedwithdelight;andPhoenix,Cilix,andCadmusstoodgapingatthespectacleoftheirsistermountedonawhitebull,notknowingwhethertobefrightenedortowishthesamegoodluckforthemselves。Thegentleandinnocentcreature(forwhocouldpossiblydoubtthathewasso?)prancedroundamongthechildrenassportivelyasakitten。Europaallthewhilelookeddownuponherbrothers,noddingandlaughing,butyetwithasortofstatelinessinherrosylittleface。Asthebullwheeledabouttotakeanothergallopacrossthemeadow,thechildwavedherhand,andsaid,"Good-bye,"playfullypretendingthatshewasnowboundonadistantjourney,andmightnotseeherbrothersagainfornobodycouldtellhowlong。
"Good-bye,"shoutedCadmus,Phoenix,andCilix,allinonebreath。
But,togetherwithherenjoymentofthesport,therewasstillalittleremnantoffearinthechild’sheart;sothatherlastlookatthethreeboyswasatroubledone,andmadethemfeelasiftheirdearsisterwerereallyleavingthemforever。Andwhatdoyouthinkthesnowybulldidnext?Why,hesetoff,asswiftasthewind,straightdowntotheseashore,scamperedacrossthesand,tookanairyleap,andplungedrightinamongthefoamingbillows。ThewhitesprayroseinashoweroverhimandlittleEuropa,andfellspatteringdownuponthewater。
Thenwhatascreamofterrordidthepoorchildsendforth!Thethreebrothersscreamedmanfully,likewise,andrantotheshoreasfastastheirlegswouldcarrythem,withCadmusattheirhead。Butitwastoolate。Whentheyreachedthemarginofthesand,thetreacherousanimalwasalreadyfarawayinthewidebluesea,withonlyhissnowyheadandtailemerging,andpoorlittleEuropabetweenthem,stretchingoutonehandtowardsherdearbrothers,whileshegraspedthebull’sivoryhornwiththeother。AndtherestoodCadmus,Phoenix,andCilix,gazingatthissadspectacle,throughtheirtears,untiltheycouldnolongerdistinguishthebull’ssnowyheadfromthewhite-cappedbillowsthatseemedtoboilupoutofthesea’sdepthsaroundhim。Nothingmorewaseverseenofthewhitebull——nothingmoreofthebeautifulchild。
Thiswasamournfulstory,asyoumaywellthink,forthethreeboystocarryhometotheirparents。KingAgenor,theirfather,wastherulerofthewholecountry;buthelovedhislittledaughterEuropabetterthanhiskingdom,orthanallhisotherchildren,orthananythingelseintheworld。Therefore,whenCadmusandhistwobrotherscamecryinghome,andtoldhimhowthatawhitebullhadcarriedofftheirsister,andswamwithheroverthesea,thekingwasquitebesidehimselfwithgriefandrage。Althoughitwasnowtwilight,andfastgrowingdark,hebadethemsetoutinstantlyinsearchofher。
"Nevershallyouseemyfaceagain,"hecried,"unlessyoubringmebackmylittleEuropa,togladdenmewithhersmilesandherprettyways。Begone,andentermypresencenomore,tillyoucomeleadingherbythehand。"
AsKingAgenorsaidthis,hiseyesflashedfire(forhewasaverypassionateking),andhelookedsoterriblyangrythatthepoorboysdidnotevenventuretoaskfortheirsuppers,butslunkawayoutofthepalace,andonlypausedonthestepsamomenttoconsultwhithertheyshouldgofirst。Whiletheywerestandingthere,allindismay,theirmother,QueenTelephassa(whohappenednottobebywhentheytoldthestorytotheking),camehurryingafterthem,andsaidthatshetoowouldgoinquestofherdaughter。
"O,no,mother!"criedtheboys。"Thenightisdark,andthereisnoknowingwhattroublesandperilswemaymeetwith。"
"Alas!mydearchildren,"answeredpoorQueenTelephassa;
weepingbitterly,"thatisonlyanotherreasonwhyIshouldgowithyou。IfIshouldloseyou,too,aswellasmylittleEuropa,whatwouldbecomeofme!"
"Andletmegolikewise!"saidtheirplayfellowThasus,whocamerunningtojointhem。
Thasuswasthesonofaseafaringpersonintheneighborhood;
hehadbeenbroughtupwiththeyoungprinces,andwastheirintimatefriend,andlovedEuropaverymuch;sotheyconsentedthatheshouldaccompanythem。Thewholeparty,therefore,setforthtogether。Cadmus,Phoenix,Cilix,andThasusclusteredroundQueenTelephassa,graspingherskirts,andbegginghertoleanupontheirshoulderswhenevershefeltweary。Inthismannertheywentdownthepalacesteps,andbeganajourney,whichturnedouttobeagreatdeallongerthantheydreamedof。ThelastthattheysawofKingAgenor,hecametothedoor,withaservantholdingatorchbesidehim,andcalledafterthemintothegatheringdarkness:
"Remember!Neverascendthesestepsagainwithoutthechild!"
"Never!"sobbedQueenTelephassa;andthethreebrothersandThasusanswered,"Never!Never!Never!Never!"
Andtheykepttheirword。Yearafteryear,KingAgenorsatinthesolitudeofhisbeautifulpalace,listeninginvainfortheirreturningfootsteps,hopingtohearthefamiliarvoiceofthequeen,andthecheerfultalkofhissonsandtheirplayfellowThasus,enteringthedoortogether,andthesweet,childishaccentsoflittleEuropainthemidstofthem。Butsolongatimewentby,that,atlast,iftheyhadreallycome,thekingwouldnothaveknownthatthiswasthevoiceofTelephassa,andthesetheyoungervoicesthatusedtomakesuchjoyfulechoes,whenthechildrenwereplayingaboutthepalace。
WemustnowleaveKingAgenortositonhisthrone,andmustgoalongwithQueenTelephassa,andherfouryouthfulcompanions。
Theywentonandon,andtraveledalongway,andpassedovermountainsandrivers,andsailedoverseas。Here,andthere,andeverywhere,theymadecontinualinquiryifanypersoncouldtellthemwhathadbecomeofEuropa。Therusticpeople,ofwhomtheyaskedthisquestion,pausedalittlewhilefromtheirlaborsinthefield,andlookedverymuchsurprised。Theythoughtitstrangetobeholdawomaninthegarbofaqueen(forTelephassainherhastehadforgottentotakeoffhercrownandherroyalrobes),roamingaboutthecountry,withfourladsaroundher,onsuchanerrandasthisseemedtobe。ButnobodycouldgivethemanytidingsofEuropa;nobodyhadseenalittlegirldressedlikeaprincess,andmountedonasnow-
whitebull,whichgallopedasswiftlyasthewind。
IcannottellyouhowlongQueenTelephassa,andCadmus,Phoenix,andCilix,herthreesons,andThasus,theirplayfellow,wentwanderingalongthehighwaysandbypaths,orthroughthepathlesswildernessesoftheearth,inthismanner。
Butcertainitis,that,beforetheyreachedanyplaceofrest,theirsplendidgarmentswerequitewornout。Theyalllookedverymuchtravel-stained,andwouldhavehadthedustofmanycountriesontheirshoes,ifthestreams,throughwhichtheywaded,hadnotwasheditallaway。Whentheyhadbeengoneayear,Telephassathrewawayhercrown,becauseitchafedherforehead。
"Ithasgivenmemanyaheadache,"saidthepoorqueen,"anditcannotcuremyheartache。"
Asfastastheirprincelyrobesgottornandtattered,theyexchangedthemforsuchmeanattireasordinarypeoplewore。Byandby,theycometohaveawildandhomelessaspect;sothatyouwouldmuchsoonerhavetakenthemforagypsyfamilythanaqueenandthreeprinces,andayoungnobleman,whohadonceapalaceforahome,andatrainofservantstodotheirbidding。
Thefourboysgrewuptobetallyoungmen,withsunburntfaces。Eachofthemgirdedonasword,todefendthemselvesagainsttheperilsoftheway。Whenthehusbandmen,atwhosefarmhousestheysoughthospitality,neededtheirassistanceintheharvestfield,theygaveitwillingly;andQueenTelephassa(whohaddonenoworkinherpalace,savetobraidsilkthreadswithgoldenones)camebehindthemtobindthesheaves。Ifpaymentwasoffered,theyshooktheirheads,andonlyaskedfortidingsofEuropa。
"Therearebullsenoughinmypasture,"theoldfarmerswouldreply;"butIneverheardofonelikethisyoutellmeof。A
snow-whitebullwithalittleprincessonhisback!Ho!ho!I
askyourpardon,goodfolks;butthereneversuchasightseenhereabouts。"
Atlast,whenhisupperlipbegantohavethedownonit,Phoenixgrewwearyoframblinghitherandthithertonopurpose。Sooneday,whentheyhappenedtobepassingthroughapleasantandsolitarytractofcountry,hesathimselfdownonaheapofmoss。
"Icangonofarther,"saidPhoenix。"Itisamerefoolishwasteoflife,tospenditaswedo,alwayswanderingupanddown,andnevercomingtoanyhomeatnightfall。Oursisterislost,andneverwillbefound。Sheprobablyperishedinthesea;or,towhatevershorethewhitebullmayhavecarriedher,itisnowsomanyyearsago,thattherewouldbeneitherlovenoracquaintancebetweenus,shouldwemeetagain。Myfatherhasforbiddenustoreturntohispalace,soIshallbuildmeahutofbranches,anddwellhere。"
"Well,sonPhoenix,"saidTelephassa,sorrowfully,"youhavegrowntobeaman,andmustdoasyoujudgebest。But,formypart,Iwillstillgoinquestofmypoorchild。"
"Andwethreewillgoalongwithyou!"criedCadmusandCilix,andtheirfaithfulfriendThasus。
But,beforesettingout,theyallhelpedPhoenixtobuildahabitation。Whencompleted,itwasasweetruralbower,roofedoverheadwithanarchoflivingboughs。Insidethereweretwopleasantrooms,oneofwhichhadasoftheapofmossforabed,whiletheotherwasfurnishedwitharusticseatortwo,curiouslyfashionedoutofthecrookedrootsoftrees。Socomfortableandhome-likediditseem,thatTelephassaandherthreecompanionscouldnothelpsighing,tothinkthattheymuststillroamabouttheworld,insteadofspendingtheremainderoftheirlivesinsomesuchcheerfulabodeastheyhadherebuiltforPhoenix。But,whentheybadehimfarewell,Phoenixshedtears,andprobablyregrettedthathewasnolongertokeepthemcompany。
However,hehadfixeduponanadmirableplacetodwellin。Andbyandbytherecameotherpeople,whochancedtohavenohomes;and,seeinghowpleasantaspotitwas,theybuiltthemselveshutsintheneighborhoodofPhoenix’shabitation。
Thus,beforemanyyearswentby,acityhadgrownupthere,inthecenterofwhichwasseenastatelypalaceofmarble,whereindweltPhoenix,clothedinapurplerobe,andwearingagoldencrownuponhishead。Fortheinhabitantsofthenewcity,findingthathehadroyalbloodinhisveins,hadchosenhimtobetheirking。TheveryfirstdecreeofstatewhichKingPhoenixissuedwas,that,ifamaidenhappenedtoarriveinthekingdom,mountedonasnow-whitebull,andcallingherselfEuropa,hissubjectsshouldtreatherwiththegreatestkindnessandrespect,andimmediatelybringhertothepalace。
Youmaysee,bythis,thatPhoenix’sconscienceneverquiteceasedtotroublehim,forgivingupthequestofhisdearsister,andsittinghimselfdowntobecomfortable,whilehismotherandhercompanionswentonward。
Butoftenandoften,atthecloseofawearyday’sjourney,didTelephassaandCadmus,Cilix,andThasus,rememberthepleasantspotinwhichtheyhadleftPhoenix。Itwasasorrowfulprospectforthesewanderers,thatonthemorrowtheymustagainsetforth,andthat,aftermanynightfalls,theywouldperhapsbenonearerthecloseoftheirtoilsomepilgrimagethannow。Thesethoughtsmadethemallmelancholyattimes,butappearedtotormentCilixmorethantherestoftheparty。Atlength,onemorning,whentheyweretakingtheirstaffsinhandtosetout,hethusaddressedthem:
"Mydearmother,andyou,goodbrotherCadmus,andmyfriendThasus,methinkswearelikepeopleinadream。Thereisnosubstanceinthelifewhichweareleading。ItissuchadrearylengthoftimesincethewhitebullcarriedoffmysisterEuropa,thatIhavequiteforgottenhowshelooked,andthetonesofhervoice,and,indeed,almostdoubtwhethersuchalittlegirleverlivedintheworld。Andwhethersheoncelivedorno,Iamconvincedthatshenolongersurvives,andthatthereforeitisthemerestfollytowasteourownlivesandhappinessinseekingher。Werewetofindher,shewouldnowbeawomangrown,andwouldlookuponusallasstrangers。So,totellyouthetruth,Ihaveresolvedtotakeupmyabodehere;
andIentreatyou,mother,brother,andfriend,tofollowmyexample。"
"NotI,forone,"saidTelephassa;althoughthepoorqueen,firmlyasshespoke,wassotravel-wornthatshecouldhardlyputherfoottotheground。"NotI,forone!Inthedepthsofmyheart,littleEuropaisstilltherosychildwhorantogatherflowerssomanyyearsago。Shehasnotgrowntowomanhood,norforgottenme。Atnoon,atnight,journeyingonward,sittingdowntorest,herchildishvoiceisalwaysinmyears,calling,’Mother!mother!’Stopherewhomay,thereisnoreposeforme。"
"Norforme,"saidCadmus,"whilemydearmotherpleasestogoonward。"
AndthefaithfulThasus,too,wasresolvedtobearthemcompany。TheyremainedwithCilixafewdays,however,andhelpedhimtobuildarusticbower,resemblingtheonewhichtheyhadformerlybuiltforPhoenix。
WhentheywerebiddinghimfarewellCilixburstintotears,andtoldhismotherthatitseemedjustasmelancholyadreamtostaythere,insolitude,astogoonward。IfshereallybelievedthattheywouldeverfindEuropa,hewaswillingtocontinuethesearchwiththem,evennow。ButTelephassabadehimremainthere,andbehappy,ifhisownheartwouldlethim。
Sothepilgrimstooktheirleaveofhim,anddeparted,andwerehardlyoutofsightbeforesomeotherwanderingpeoplecamealongthatway,andsawCilix’shabitation,andweregreatlydelightedwiththeappearanceoftheplace。Therebeingabundanceofunoccupiedgroundintheneighborhood,thesestrangersbuilthutsforthemselves,andweresoonjoinedbyamultitudeofnewsettlers,whoquicklyformedacity。Inthemiddleofitwasseenamagnificentpalaceofcoloredmarble,onthebalconyofwhich,everynoontide,appearedCilix,inalongpurplerobe,andwithajeweledcrownuponhishead;fortheinhabitants,whentheyfoundoutthathewasaking’sson,hadconsideredhimthefittestofallmentobeakinghimself。
OneofthefirstactsofKingCilix’sgovernmentwastosendoutanexpedition,consistingofagraveambassador,andanescortofboldandhardyyoungmen,withorderstovisittheprincipalkingdomsoftheearth,andinquirewhetherayoungmaidenhadpassedthroughthoseregions,gallopingswiftlyonawhitebull。Itis,therefore,plaintomymind,thatCilixsecretlyblamedhimselfforgivingupthesearchforEuropa,aslongashewasabletoputonefootbeforetheother。
AsforTelephassa,andCadmus,andthegoodThasus,itgrievesmetothinkofthem,stillkeepingupthatwearypilgrimage。
Thetwoyoungmendidtheirbestforthepoorqueen,helpingherovertheroughplaces,oftencarryingheracrossrivuletsintheirfaithfularmsandseekingtoshelterheratnightfall,evenwhentheythemselveslayontheground。Sad,saditwastohearthemaskingofeverypasser-byifhehadseenEuropa,solongafterthewhitebullhadcarriedheraway。But,thoughthegrayyearsthrustthemselvesbetween,andmadethechild’sfiguredimintheirremembrance,neitherofthesetrue-heartedthreeeverdreamedofgivingupthesearch。
Onemorning,however,poorThasusfoundthathehadsprainedhisankle,andcouldnotpossiblygoastepfarther。
"Afterafewdays,tobesure,"saidhe,mournfully,"Imightmakeshifttohobblealongwithastick。Butthatwouldonlydelayyou,andperhapshinderyoufromfindingdearlittleEuropa,afterallyourpainsandtrouble。Doyougoforward,therefore,mybelovedcompanions,andleavemetofollowasI
may。"
"Thouhastbeenatruefriend,dearThasus,"saidQueenTelephassa,kissinghisforehead。"Beingneithermyson,northebrotherofourlostEuropa,thouhastshownthyselftruertomeandherthanPhoenixandCilixdid,whomwehaveleftbehindus。Withoutthylovinghelp,andthatofmysonCadmus,mylimbscouldnothavebornemehalfsofarasthis。Now,takethyrest,andbeatpeace。For——anditisthefirsttimeIhaveownedittomyself——Ibegintoquestionwhetherweshalleverfindmybeloveddaughterinthisworld。"
Sayingthis,thepoorqueenshedtears,becauseitwasagrievoustrialtothemother’shearttoconfessthatherhopesweregrowingfaint。Fromthatdayforward,Cadmusnoticedthatshenevertraveledwiththesamealacrityofspiritthathadheretoforesupportedher。Herweightwasheavieruponhisarm。
Beforesettingout,CadmushelpedThasusbuildabower;whileTelephassa,beingtooinfirmtogiveanygreatassistance,advisedthemhowtofititupandfurnishit,sothatitmightbeascomfortableasahutofbranchescould。Thasus,however,didnotspendallhisdaysinthisgreenbower。Forithappenedtohim,astoPhoenixandCilix,thatotherhomelesspeoplevisitedthespot,andlikedit,andbuiltthemselveshabitationsintheneighborhood。Sohere,inthecourseofafewyears,wasanotherthrivingcity,witharedfreestonepalaceinthecenterofit,whereThasussatuponathrone,doingjusticetothepeople,withapurplerobeoverhisshoulders,asceptreinhishand,andacrownuponhishead。
Theinhabitantshadmadehimking,notforthesakeofanyroyalblood(fornonewasinhisveins),butbecauseThasuswasanupright,true-hearted,andcourageousman,andthereforefittorule。
Butwhentheaffairsofhiskingdomwereallsettled,KingThasuslaidasidehispurplerobeandcrown,andsceptre,andbadehisworthiestsubjectsdistributejusticetothepeopleinhisstead。Then,graspingthepilgrim’sstaffthathadsupportedhimsolong,hesetforthagain,hopingstilltodiscoversomehoof-markofthesnow-whitebull,sometraceofthevanishedchild。Hereturnedafteralengthenedabsence,andsatdownwearilyuponhisthrone。Tohislatesthour,nevertheless,KingThasusshowedhistrue-heartedremembranceofEuropa,byorderingthatafireshouldalwaysbekeptburninginhispalace,andabathsteaminghot,andfoodreadytobeservedup,andabedwithsnow-whitesheets,incasethemaidenshouldarrive,andrequireimmediaterefreshment。And,thoughEuropanevercame,thegoodThasushadtheblessingsofmanyapoortraveler,whoprofitedbythefoodandlodgingwhichweremeantforthelittleplaymateoftheking’sboyhood。
TelephassaandCadmuswerenowpursuingtheirwearyway,withnocompanionbuteachother。Thequeenleanedheavilyuponherson’sarm,andcouldwalkonlyafewmilesaday。Butforallherweaknessandweariness,shewouldnotbepersuadedtogiveupthesearch。Itwasenoughtobringtearsintotheeyesofbeardedmentohearthemelancholytonewithwhichsheinquiredofeverystrangerwhetherhecouldnottellheranynewsofthelostchild。
"Haveyouseenalittlegirl——no,no,Imeanayoungmaidenoffullgrowth——passingbythisway,mountedonasnow-whitebull,whichgallopsasswiftlyasthewind?"
"Wehaveseennosuchwondroussight,"thepeoplewouldreply;
andveryoften,takingCadmusaside,theywhisperedtohim,"Isthisstatelyandsad-lookingwomanyourmother?Surelysheisnotinherrightmind;andyououghttotakeherhome,andmakehercomfortable,anddoyourbesttogetthisdreamoutofherfancy。"
"Itisnodream,"saidCadmus。"Everythingelseisadream,savethat。"
But,oneday,Telephassaseemedfeeblerthanusual,andleanedalmostherwholeweightonthearmofCadmus,andwalkedmoreslowlythaneverbefore。Atlasttheyreachedasolitaryspot,whereshetoldhersonthatshemustneedsliedown,andtakeagoodlongrest。
"Agoodlongrest!"sherepeated,lookingCadmustenderlyintheface。"Agoodlongrest,thoudearestone!"
"Aslongasyouplease,dearmother,"answeredCadmus。
Telephassabadehimsitdownontheturfbesideher,andthenshetookhishand。
"Myson,"saidshe,fixingherdimeyesmostlovinglyuponhim,"thisrestthatIspeakofwillbeverylongindeed!Youmustnotwaittillitisfinished。DearCadmus,youdonotcomprehendme。Youmustmakeagravehere,andlayyourmother’swearyframeintoit。Mypilgrimageisover。"
Cadmusburstintotears,and,foralongtime,refusedtobelievethathisdearmotherwasnowtobetakenfromhim。ButTelephassareasonedwithhim,andkissedhim,andatlengthmadehimdiscernthatitwasbetterforherspirittopassawayoutofthetoil,theweariness,andgrief,anddisappointmentwhichhadburdenedheronearth,eversincethechildwaslost。
Hethereforerepressedhissorrow,andlistenedtoherlastwords。
"DearestCadmus,"saidshe,"thouhastbeenthetruestsonthatevermotherhad,andfaithfultotheverylast。Whoelsewouldhavebornewithmyinfirmitiesasthouhast!Itisowingtothycare,thoutenderestchild,thatmygravewasnotduglongyearsago,insomevalley,oronsomehillside,thatliesfar,farbehindus。Itisenough。Thoushaltwandernomoreonthishopelesssearch。But,whenthouhastlaidthymotherintheearth,thengo,myson,toDelphi,andinquireoftheoraclewhatthoushaltdonext。"
"Omother,mother,"criedCadmus,"couldstthoubuthaveseenmysisterbeforethishour!"
"Itmatterslittlenow,"answeredTelephassa,andtherewasasmileuponherface。"Igonowtothebetterworld,and,soonerorlater,shallfindmydaughterthere。"
Iwillnotsaddenyou,mylittlehearers,withtellinghowTelephassadiedandwasburied,butwillonlysay,thatherdyingsmilegrewbrighter,insteadofvanishingfromherdeadface;sothatCadmusleftconvincedthat,atherveryfirststepintothebetterworld,shehadcaughtEuropainherarms。
Heplantedsomeflowersonhismother’sgrave,andleftthemtogrowthere,andmaketheplacebeautiful,whenheshouldbefaraway。
Afterperformingthislastsorrowfulduty,hesetforthalone,andtooktheroadtowardsthefamousoracleofDelphi,asTelephassahadadvisedhim。Onhiswaythither,hestillinquiredofmostpeoplewhomhemetwhethertheyhadseenEuropa;for,tosaythetruth,Cadmushadgrownsoaccustomedtoaskthequestion,thatitcametohislipsasreadilyasaremarkabouttheweather。Hereceivedvariousanswers。Sometoldhimonething,andsomeanother。Amongtherest,amarineraffirmed,that,manyyearsbefore,inadistantcountry,hehadheardarumoraboutawhitebull,whichcameswimmingacrosstheseawithachildonhisback,dressedupinflowersthatwereblightedbytheseawater。Hedidnotknowwhathadbecomeofthechildorthebull;andCadmussuspected,indeed,byaqueertwinkleinthemariner’seyes,thathewasputtingajokeuponhim,andhadneverreallyheardanythingaboutthematter。
PoorCadmusfounditmorewearisometotravelalonethantobearallhisdearmother’sweight,whileshehadkepthimcompany。Hisheart,youwillunderstand,wasnowsoheavythatitseemedimpossible,sometimes,tocarryitanyfarther。Buthislimbswerestrongandactive,andwellaccustomedtoexercise。Hewalkedswiftlyalong,thinkingofKingAgenorandQueenTelephassa,andhisbrothers,andthefriendlyThasus,allofwhomhehadleftbehindhim,atonepointofhispilgrimageoranother,andneverexpectedtoseethemanymore。
Fulloftheseremembrances,hecamewithinsightofaloftymountain,whichthepeoplethereaboutstoldhimwascalledParnassus。OntheslopeofMountParnassuswasthefamousDelphi,whitherCadmuswasgoing。
ThisDelphiwassupposedtobetheverymidmostspotofthewholeworld。Theplaceoftheoraclewasacertaincavityinthemountainside,overwhich,whenCadmuscamethither,hefoundarudebowerofbranches。ItremindedhimofthosewhichhehadhelpedtobuildforPhoenixandCilix,andafterwardsforThasus。Inlatertimes,whenmultitudesofpeoplecamefromgreatdistancestoputquestionstotheoracle,aspacioustempleofmarblewaserectedoverthespot。ButinthedaysofCadmus,asIhavetoldyou,therewasonlythisrusticbower,withitsabundanceofgreenfoliage,andatuftofshrubbery,thatranwildoverthemysteriousholeinthehillside。
WhenCadmushadthrustapassagethroughthetangledboughs,andmadehiswayintothebower,hedidnotatfirstdiscernthehalf-hiddencavity。Butsoonhefeltacoldstreamofairrushingoutofit,withsomuchforcethatitshooktheringletsonhischeek。Pullingawaytheshrubberywhichclusteredoverthehole,hebentforward,andspokeinadistinctbutreverentialtone,asifaddressingsomeunseenpersonageinsideofthemountain。
"SacredoracleofDelphi,"saidhe,"whithershallIgonextinquestofmydearsisterEuropa?"
Therewasatfirstadeepsilence,andthenarushingsound,oranoiselikealongsigh,proceedingoutoftheinterioroftheearth。Thiscavity,youmustknow,waslookeduponasasortoffountainoftruth,whichsometimesgushedoutinaudiblewords;
although,forthemostpart,thesewordsweresuchariddlethattheymightjustaswellhavestaidatthebottomofthehole。ButCadmuswasmorefortunatethanmanyotherswhowenttoDelphiinsearchoftruth。Byandby,therushingnoisebegantosoundlikearticulatelanguage。Itrepeated,overandoveragain,thefollowingsentence,which,afterall,wassolikethevaguewhistleofablastofair,thatCadmusreallydidnotquiteknowwhetheritmeantanythingornot:
"Seekhernomore!Seekhernomore!Seekhernomore!"
"What,then,shallIdo?"askedCadmus。
For,eversincehewasachild,youknow,ithadbeenthegreatobjectofhislifetofindhissister。Fromtheveryhourthatheleftfollowingthebutterflyinthemeadow,nearhisfather’spalace,hehaddonehisbesttofollowEuropa,overlandandsea。Andnow,ifhemustgiveupthesearch,heseemedtohavenomorebusinessintheworld。
Butagainthesighinggustofairgrewintosomethinglikeahoarsevoice。
"Followthecow!"itsaid。"Followthecow!Followthecow!"
AndwhenthesewordshadbeenrepeateduntilCadmuswastiredofhearingthem(especiallyashecouldnotimaginewhatcowitwas,orwhyhewastofollowher),thegustyholegaveventtoanothersentence。
"Wherethestraycowliesdown,thereisyourhome。"
Thesewordswerepronouncedbutasingletime,anddiedawayintoawhisperbeforeCadmuswasfullysatisfiedthathehadcaughtthemeaning。Heputotherquestions,butreceivednoanswer;onlythegustofwindsighedcontinuallyoutofthecavity,andblewthewitheredleavesrustlingalongthegroundbeforeit。
"Didtherereallycomeanywordsoutofthehole?"thoughtCadmus;"orhaveIbeendreamingallthiswhile?"
Heturnedawayfromtheoracle,andthoughthimselfnowiserthanwhenhecamethither。Caringlittlewhatmighthappentohim,hetookthefirstpaththatoffereditself,andwentalongatasluggishpace;for,havingnoobjectinview,noranyreasontogoonewaymorethananother,itwouldcertainlyhavebeenfoolishtomakehaste。Wheneverhemetanybody,theoldquestionwasathistongue’send。
"Haveyouseenabeautifulmaiden,dressedlikeaking’sdaughter,andmountedonasnow-whitebull,thatgallopsasswiftlyasthewind?"
But,rememberingwhattheoraclehadsaid,heonlyhalfutteredthewords,andthenmumbledtherestindistinctly;andfromhisconfusion,peoplemusthaveimaginedthatthishandsomeyoungmanhadlosthiswits。
IknownothowfarCadmushadgone,norcouldhehimselfhavetoldyou,whenatnogreatdistancebeforehim,hebeheldabrindledcow。Shewaslyingdownbythewayside,andquietlychewinghercud;nordidshetakeanynoticeoftheyoungmanuntilhehadapproachedprettynigh。Then,gettingleisurelyuponherfeet,andgivingherheadagentletoss,shebegantomovealongatamoderatepace,oftenpausingjustlongenoughtocropamouthfulofgrass。Cadmusloiteredbehind,whistlingidlytohimself,andscarcelynoticingthecow;untilthethoughtoccurredtohim,whetherthiscouldpossiblybetheanimalwhich,accordingtotheoracle’sresponse,wastoservehimforaguide。Buthesmiledathimselfforfancyingsuchathing。Hecouldnotseriouslythinkthatthiswasthecow,becauseshewentalongsoquietly,behavingjustlikeanyothercow。EvidentlysheneitherknewnorcaredsomuchasawispofhayaboutCadmus,andwasonlythinkinghowtogetherlivingalongthewayside,wheretheherbagewasgreenandfresh。
Perhapsshewasgoinghometobemilked。
"Cow,cow,cow!"criedCadmus。"Hey,Brindle,hey!Stop,mygoodcow!"
Hewantedtocomeupwiththecow,soastoexamineher,andseeifshewouldappeartoknowhim,orwhethertherewereanypeculiaritiestodistinguishherfromathousandothercows,whoseonlybusinessistofillthemilk-pail,andsometimeskickitover。Butstillthebrindledcowtrudgedon,whiskinghertailtokeepthefliesaway,andtakingaslittlenoticeofCadmusasshewellcould。Ifhewalkedslowly,sodidthecow,andseizedtheopportunitytograze。Ifhequickenedhispace,thecowwentjustsomuchthefaster;andonce,whenCadmustriedtocatchherbyrunning,shethrewoutherheels,stuckhertailstraightonend,andsetoffatagallop,lookingasqueerlyascowsgenerallydo,whileputtingthemselvestotheirspeed。
WhenCadmussawthatitwasimpossibletocomeupwithher,hewalkedonmoderately,asbefore。Thecow,too,wentleisurelyon,withoutlookingbehind。Whereverthegrasswasgreenest,thereshenibbledamouthfulortwo。Whereabrookglistenedbrightlyacrossthepath,therethecowdrank,andbreathedacomfortablesigh,anddrankagain。andtrudgedonwardatthepacethatbestsuitedherselfandCadmus。
"Idobelieve,"thoughtCadmus,"thatthismaybethecowthatwasforetoldme。Ifitbetheone,Isupposeshewillliedownsomewherehereabouts。"
Whetheritweretheoracularcoworsomeotherone,itdidnotseemreasonablethatsheshouldtravelagreatwayfarther。So,whenevertheyreachedaparticularlypleasantspotonabreezyhillside,orinashelteredvale,orflowerymeadow,ontheshoreofacalmlake,oralongthebankofaclearstream,Cadmuslookedeagerlyaroundtoseeifthesituationwouldsuithimforahome。Butstill,whetherhelikedtheplaceorno,thebrindledcowneverofferedtoliedown。Onshewentatthequietpaceofacowgoinghomewardtothebarnyard;and,everymoment,Cadmusexpectedtoseeamilkmaidapproachingwithapail,oraherdsmanrunningtoheadthestrayanimal,andturnherbacktowardsthepasture。Butnomilkmaidcame;noherdsmandroveherback;andCadmusfollowedthestrayBrindletillhewasalmostreadytodropdownwithfatigue。
"Obrindledcow,"criedhe,inatoneofdespair,"doyounevermeantostop?"
Hehadnowgrowntoointentonfollowinghertothinkoflaggingbehind,howeverlongtheway,andwhatevermightbehisfatigue。Indeed,itseemedasifthereweresomethingabouttheanimalthatbewitchedpeople。Severalpersonswhohappenedtoseethebrindledcow,andCadmusfollowingbehind,begantotrudgeafterher,preciselyashedid。Cadmuswasgladofsomebodytoconversewith,andthereforetalkedveryfreelytothesegoodpeople。Hetoldthemallhisadventures,andhowhehadleftKingAgenorinhispalace,andPhoenixatoneplace,andCilixatanother,andThasusatathird,andhisdearmother,QueenTelephassa,underaflowerysod;sothatnowhewasquitealone,bothfriendlessandhomeless。Hementioned,likewise,thattheoraclehadbiddenhimbeguidedbyacow,andinquiredofthestrangerswhethertheysupposedthatthisbrindledanimalcouldbetheone。