n,
but shines on all because it must, within that love Aphrodite dwells,
and it becomes immortal by her presence."

Then Dion and Neaera went out, and as they walked home through the
forest, purple and vaporous in the evening light, they drew closer
together. Dion, looking into the eyes of Neaera, saw there a new gleam,
violet, magical, shining--there was the presence of Aphrodite; there was
her shrine.

After came in unto Apollo the two grand-children of old Tithonus, and
they cried: "See the flowers we have brought you! We gathered them for
you in the valley where they grow best!" Apollo said: "What wisdom
shall we give to children that they may remember? Our most beautiful for
them!" And as he stood and looked at them the mask of age and secretness
vanished. He appeared radiant in light. They laughed in joy at his
beauty. Bending down he kissed each upon the forehead, then faded away
into the light which is his home.

As the sun sank down amid the blue hills, the old priest awoke with
a sigh, and cried out: "Oh, that we could talk wisely as we do in our
dreams!"

1893

THE CAVE OF LILITH

Out of her cave came the ancient Lilith; Lilith the wise; Lilith the
enchantress. There ran a little path outside her dwelling; it wound away
among the mountains and glittering peaks, and before the door one of the
Wise Ones walked to and fro. Out of her cave came Lilith, scornful of
his solitude, exultant in her wisdom, flaunting her shining and magical
beauty.

"Still alone, star gazer! Is thy wisdom of no avail? Thou hast yet to
learn that I am more powerful, knowing the ways of error, than you who
know the ways of truth."

The Wise One heeded her not, but walked to and fro. His eyes were turned
to the distant peaks, the abode of his brothers. The starlight fell
about him; a sweet air came down the mountain path, fluttering his white
robe; he did not cease from his steady musing. Lilith wavered in her
cave like a mist rising between rocks. Her raiment was violet, with
silvery gleams. Her face was dim, and over her head rayed a shadowy
diadem, like that which a man imagines over the head of his beloved: and
one looking closer at her face would have seen that this was the crown
he reached out to; that the eyes burnt with his own longing; that the
lips were parted to yield to the secret wishes of his heart.

"Tell me, for I would know, why do you wait so long? I, here in my cave
between the valley and the height