-
Articles/Ads
Article THE BUILDER'S OATH. ← Page 2 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Builder's Oath.
with its fierce scream , or the foot of the solitary traveller startles the snake or sluggish lizard from its repose . The latter occurrence , however , is but rare . Modern tourists search the antiquities of Italy in her galleries and cabinets , —the lone wilds of the desert Campagnia are too triste for their taste . On the left , just where the ancient road branches into the valley , is a mass of ancient wall , situated upon a gentle elevationthe enormous stones composing which are cut into the shape of
, perfect trapezoids . These remains are of no great elevation ; but still sufficient to describe the circuit of a tower , the original name of ivhich has been lost in the lapse of ages , and that of Ponidola , or Mumdola , substituted for it by the ancient inhabitants ofthe country . It was in this city , ages before the era from which men now date the various events of ever-changing time , that Clitus , a prince whose father had been one of the oriinal invaders of Italy reigned in peace and
afflug , ence . The vanquished Etrusci had long ceased to struggle with their conquerors , and the yoke became ameliorated by the improved degree of civilization introduced by the Tyrrhenian victors . Indeed , so apt had the pupils become , that they bid fair to rival their instructors in every art save one—the royal art of architecture ; the science on ivhich it was based was a secret known only to the initiated of the conquerors themselvesand was by them guarded with such zealous carethat no
, , one could be admitted to the mysteries in which it was taught , who could not give proof of pure Thessalian descent , a precaution not unnatural , when it is remembered that the Tyrrheni depended for the security of their empire upon the fortresses which their superior knowledge enabled them to erect . A general meeting of fhe people had been convened , to decide on the
plan of a citadel , that should serve as the Ark of their dominion over the surrounding country ; and the solemnities of the day were commenced by a solemn sacrifice to Pelasgic Minerva , the titular goddess of the city . First marched the inhabitants , in their bleached robes , singing hymns , in honor of their patron ; these were followed by the priests , and augurs , who directed the solemn rites ; immediately after , a triumphal car , in ivhich was a silver urn , containing the various plans that had been presentedeach traced upon linenand sealed with a deviceto be made
pub-, , , lic by its author only in case of success , followed Clitus , and his council , ivhich was composed of men selected for their wisdom and virtue . These were habited in garments something like the priests , but made of a finer fleece , and embroidered upon the hem with those singular characters which are , to this day , the puzzle of the antiquary , and which may be traced upon the figure found upon the spot we have endeavoured to describeand still preserved in the cabinet of bronzes in the Royal Gallery
, at Florence . The monarch was distinguished by a circle of gold upon his head ; and the staff , or sceptre , with which he guided his steps . As the procession passed the forum , towards the temple of the goddess , where Clitus and his council were to decide upon the merits of the plans , and make their desires knoivn , the various characteis were loudly cheered and commented upon by the people . " A ! " exclaimed one of the spectatorswhose military habit
preye , cluded him from taking part of the rites , " yonder is Lenos , who built the eastern gate;—it will go hard with those who seek the honour of building the citadel , if he has sent in a plan , " " Thy tongue lacketh the oil of discretion , ' ' replied an aged citizen ; " seest thou not Tyrrius with him—Tyrrius , second to none in the divine art ? "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Builder's Oath.
with its fierce scream , or the foot of the solitary traveller startles the snake or sluggish lizard from its repose . The latter occurrence , however , is but rare . Modern tourists search the antiquities of Italy in her galleries and cabinets , —the lone wilds of the desert Campagnia are too triste for their taste . On the left , just where the ancient road branches into the valley , is a mass of ancient wall , situated upon a gentle elevationthe enormous stones composing which are cut into the shape of
, perfect trapezoids . These remains are of no great elevation ; but still sufficient to describe the circuit of a tower , the original name of ivhich has been lost in the lapse of ages , and that of Ponidola , or Mumdola , substituted for it by the ancient inhabitants ofthe country . It was in this city , ages before the era from which men now date the various events of ever-changing time , that Clitus , a prince whose father had been one of the oriinal invaders of Italy reigned in peace and
afflug , ence . The vanquished Etrusci had long ceased to struggle with their conquerors , and the yoke became ameliorated by the improved degree of civilization introduced by the Tyrrhenian victors . Indeed , so apt had the pupils become , that they bid fair to rival their instructors in every art save one—the royal art of architecture ; the science on ivhich it was based was a secret known only to the initiated of the conquerors themselvesand was by them guarded with such zealous carethat no
, , one could be admitted to the mysteries in which it was taught , who could not give proof of pure Thessalian descent , a precaution not unnatural , when it is remembered that the Tyrrheni depended for the security of their empire upon the fortresses which their superior knowledge enabled them to erect . A general meeting of fhe people had been convened , to decide on the
plan of a citadel , that should serve as the Ark of their dominion over the surrounding country ; and the solemnities of the day were commenced by a solemn sacrifice to Pelasgic Minerva , the titular goddess of the city . First marched the inhabitants , in their bleached robes , singing hymns , in honor of their patron ; these were followed by the priests , and augurs , who directed the solemn rites ; immediately after , a triumphal car , in ivhich was a silver urn , containing the various plans that had been presentedeach traced upon linenand sealed with a deviceto be made
pub-, , , lic by its author only in case of success , followed Clitus , and his council , ivhich was composed of men selected for their wisdom and virtue . These were habited in garments something like the priests , but made of a finer fleece , and embroidered upon the hem with those singular characters which are , to this day , the puzzle of the antiquary , and which may be traced upon the figure found upon the spot we have endeavoured to describeand still preserved in the cabinet of bronzes in the Royal Gallery
, at Florence . The monarch was distinguished by a circle of gold upon his head ; and the staff , or sceptre , with which he guided his steps . As the procession passed the forum , towards the temple of the goddess , where Clitus and his council were to decide upon the merits of the plans , and make their desires knoivn , the various characteis were loudly cheered and commented upon by the people . " A ! " exclaimed one of the spectatorswhose military habit
preye , cluded him from taking part of the rites , " yonder is Lenos , who built the eastern gate;—it will go hard with those who seek the honour of building the citadel , if he has sent in a plan , " " Thy tongue lacketh the oil of discretion , ' ' replied an aged citizen ; " seest thou not Tyrrius with him—Tyrrius , second to none in the divine art ? "