rt of themselves and absolutely essential to
their beauty. Fine hair has been a subject of commendation among all
people, and particularly the ancients. Cyrus, when he went to visit
his uncle Astyages found him with his eyelashes coloured, and
decorated with false locks; the first Caesar obtained permission to
wear the laurel-wreath in order to conceal the bareness of his
temples. The quantity and beauty of the hair of Absalom is
commemorated in holy writ. The modern oriental ladies also set the
greatest value on their hair which they braid and perfume. Thus says
the poet Hafiz, whome Sir William Jones styles the Anacreon of Persia,

"Those locks, each curl of which is worth a hundred musk-bags of
China, would be sweet indeed, if their scent proceeded from sweetness
of temper."

and again,

"When the breeze shall waft the fragrance of thy locks over the tomb
of Hafiz, a thousand flowers shall spring from the earth that hides
his corse."

Achilles clipped his yellow locks and threw them as a sacrifice upon
the funeral pyre of Patroclus.

XVII.

"They clung to an old palm and watched; nor breath
Nor word dared utter; while the refluent flood
Left on each countenance the hue of death,
Ope'd lip and far strained eye spoke worse than death endured.

XVIII.

"But, down the flood, the dauntless boy appeared,--
Now rising--plunging--in the eddy whirled--
Mastering his course--but now a rock he neared--
And closing o'er his head, the deep, dark waters curled.

"Then Hope groaned forth her last; and drear despair
Spoke in a shriek; but ere its echo wild
Had ceased to thrill; restored to light and air--
He climbs, he gains the rock, and holds alive the child.

XIX.

"Now mark what chanced--that infant was the son
E'vn of the king of Nineveh: and placed
Before him was the youth who so had won
From death the royal heir. A captive graced

"All o'er with Nature's gifts he sparkled--brave
And panting for renown--blushing and praised
The stripling stood; and closely prest, would crave
Alone a place mid warlike men; and raised

"To his full wish, the kingly presence left,
Buoyant and bright with hope; dreaming of nought
While revelled his full soul in visions deft,
But blessings from his sire and pleasures of a court.

XX.

"But when his mother heard, she wept; and said
If he our only child be far away
Or slain in war; how shall our years be stayed?
Friendless and old, where is the hand to lay

"Our