“Ah, that is a very serious question!” he answered with a smile; “but fortunately I can answer it better to-day than I could have done yesterday. This morning I saw Cimon, and, on my telling him my feelings toward you, he surprised me by saying that it was my father’s hope that during my absence I might find among the chosen people some suitable maiden to share my lot and be to him a daughter—that his wandering Jacob might somewhere find a Rachel. And Cimon, from whom I have kept nothing, is satisfied—nay, more, is delighted. So thus I answer your question. My father will say as Cimon does, and Cimon will say as I do.”
How long Aleph tarried at this unwatered wine I do not know; but I happen to know that he did not become so intoxicated but that he could hold a long business consultation afterward with Piso and Seti about the trials that were to begin the next day.
He was driving the chariot of the sun; but he held the fiery coursers well in hand.
XVI.
THE BASILICA.
Οί δὲ δίκας ξείνοιο καὶ ενδήμοισι διδοῦσιν, τοῖσι τεθηλε πόλις.
Hesiod, Works, 223.
Those who administer the laws with justice to foreigners and natives—by these the city flourishes.