ng the
curious, found the Acropolis peculiarly worthy of his study. Enough that
Hermione's hands were pressing her husband, and these two cared not
whether a thousand watched or only Helios on high. Penelope was greeting
the returning Odysseus:--

"Welcome even as to shipmen
On the swelling, raging sea;
When Poseidon flings the whirlwind,
When a thousand blasts roam free,
Then at last the land appeareth;--
E'en so welcome in her sight
Was her lord, her arms long clasped him,
And her eyes shone pure and bright."

After a long time Glaucon commanded, "Bring me our child," and Cleopis
gladly obeyed. Phoenix ceased weeping and thrust his red fists in his
father's face.

"_Ei_, pretty snail," said Glaucon, pressing him fast by one hand, whilst
he held his mother by the other, "if I say you are a merry wight, the
nurse will not marvel any more."

But Hermione had already heard from Niobe of the adventure in the
market-place at Troezene.

The young men were just taking up the litter, when the Agora again broke
into cheers. Themistocles, saviour of Hellas, had crossed to Glaucon. The
admiral--never more worshipped than now, when every plan he wove seemed
perfect as a god's--took Glaucon and Hermione, one by each hand.

"Ah, _philotatoi_," he said, "to all of us is given by the sisters above
so much bliss and so much sorrow. Some drink the bitter first, some the
sweet. And you have drained the bitter to the lees. Therefore look up at
the Sun-King boldly. He will not darken for you again."

"Where now?" asked Hermione, in all things looking to her husband.

"To the Acropolis," ordered Glaucon. "If the temple is desolate, the Rock
is still holy. Let us give thanks to Athena."

He even would have left the litter, had not Themistocles firmly forbidden.
In time the Alcmaeonid's strength would return, though never the speed that
had left the stadia behind whilst he raced to save Hellas.

They mounted the Rock. From above, in the old-time brightness, the noonday
light, the sunlight of Athens, sprang down to them. Hermione, looking on
Glaucon's face, saw him gaze eagerly upon her, his child, the sacred Rock,
and the glory from Helios. Then his face wore a strange smile she could
not understand. She did not know that he was saying in his heart:--

"And I thought for the rose vales of Bactria to forfeit--this!"

They were on the summit. The litter was set down on the projecting spur by
the southwest corner