A Portrait-study (1-5)

Lycinus Polystratus, I know now what men must have felt like when they saw the Gorgon’s head. I have just experienced the same sensation, at the sight of a most lovely woman. A little more, and I should have realized the legend, by being turned to stone; I am benumbed with admiration.

Polystratus Wonderful indeed must have been the beauty, and terrible the power of the woman who could produce such an impression on Lycinus. Tell me of this petrifying Medusa. Who is she, and whence? I would see her myself. You will, not grudge me that privilege? Your jealousy will not take alarm at the prospect of a rival petrifaction at your side?

Lycinus Well, I give you fair warning: one distant glimpse of her, and you are speechless, motionless as any statue. Nay, that is a light affliction: the mortal wound is not dealt till ber glance has fallen on you. What can save you then? She will lead. you in chains, hither and thither, as the magnet draws the steel.

Polystratus Enough! You would make her more than human. And now tell me who she is.

Lycinus You think I am exaggerating: I fear you will have but a poor opinion of my eloquence when you see her as she is— so far above my praise. Who she is, I cannot say-: -but to judge

Polystratus And you never even asked her name?

Lycinus Why no; but she is from Ionia; because, as she passed, I heard one of the bystanders speak aside to his neighbour: ‘See,’ he exclaimed, ‘what Smyrna can produce! And what wonder, if the fairest of Ionian cities has given birth to the fairest of women?’ I thought he must come from Smyrna himself, he was so proud of her.

Polystratus There you acted your stony part to perfection. As you could neither follow her, nor make inquiries of the Smyrnaean, it only remains for you to describe her as best you can, on the chance of my recognizing her.

Lycinus You know not what you ask. It is not in the power of words—certainly not of my words—to portray such wondrous beauty; scarcely could an Apelles, a Zeuxis, a Parrhasius,— a Phidias or an Alcamenes, do justice to it; as for my flimsy workmanship, it will but insult the original.

Polystratus Well, never mind; what was she like? There can be no harm in trying your hand. What if the portrait be somewhat out of drawing?—the critic is your good friend.

Lycinus I think my best way out of it will be to call in the aid of some of the old masters I have named: let them fashion the likeness for me.

Polystratus Well, but—will they come? They have been dead so long.

Lycinus That is easily managed: but you must not mind answering me a few questions.

Polystratus You have but to ask.

Lycinus Were you ever at Cnidus?

Polystratus I was.

Lycinus Then you have seen the Aphrodite, of course?

Polystratus That masterpiece of Praxiteles’s art! I have.

Lycinus And heard the story they tell there,—of the man who fell in love with the statue, and contrived to get shut into the temple alone, and there enjoyed such favours as a statue is able to bestow.—But that is neither here nor there.—You have seen the Cnidian Aphrodite, anyhow; now I want to know whether you have also seen our own Aphrodite of the Gardens,—the Alcamenes.

Polystratus I must be a dullard of dullards, if that most exquisite of Alcamenes’s works had escaped my notice.

Lycinus I forbear to ask whether in the course of your many visits to the Acropolis you ever observed the Sosandra of Calamis[*].

Polystratus Frequently.

Lycinus That is really enough for my purpose. But I should just like to know what you consider to be Phidias’s best work.

Polystratus Can you ask?—The Lemnian Athene, which bears the artist’s own signature; oh, and of course the Amazon leaning on her spear.

Lycinus I approve your judgement. We shall have no need of other artists: I am now to cull from each of these its own peculiar beauty, and combine all in a single portrait.

Polystratus And how are you going to do that?

Lycinus It is quite simple. All we have to do is to hand over our several types to Reason, whose care it must be to unite them in the most harmonious fashion, with due regard to the consistency, as to the variety, of the result.

Polystratus To be sure; let Reason take her materials and begin.