The Cruise of the Branwen

THE PARTHENON a proud woman, conscious of her worth, who confidently waits the time when we shall come to her, the moment when her cold yet irresistible appeal shall conquer, when the joy of attainment shall be doubled by the patience of her self– command-so stands the Acropolis, high above Athens, as some far vision of diviner things may float above the dusty clouds of earth; and certain of the victory that crowns eternal youth. In the end, the very soil is sacred to you ; its flowers and grasses are the silent offering of Nature's beauty; the sky-line bends above the solemn majesty of pillared porticoes like some tremendous benediction. Sero te amavi-. Henceforth your life is altered. Those columns, architraves, and capitals are holding up another temple, builded not with hands. The burden of whole useless libraries of other people's lexicons has slipped from the pilgrim's shoulders. With head erect, and eyes far-fixed upon some bfo.e and infinite horizon, he moves in the free air, and feels the breath of beauty blowing from the heights.* It is possible to try and convey to others some part of the impression which the Acropolis of Athens made upon me at first sight. But to describe the place itself is useless, were it even within my powers. Like many another wonder of the world, its appeal differs according to the • Several passages in the first part of this chapter, origin– ally suggested by the publications of a brilliant French writer, have been translated from my article in Lu Ar111es, a weekly paper published in Paris.