Name: King Candaules
SKU: 59116885
Price: 800.00 TWD
Availability: InStock
Author: Hearn, Lafcadio ; Gautier, Theophile
ISBN: 9781481197748

Type

Physical Book

Author

Théophile Gautier

Translated by

Lafcadio Hearn

Publisher

Createspace

Language

English

Pages

Format

Paperback

Dimensions

22.9x15.2x0.3 cm

Weight

0.09 kg.

ISBN13

9781481197748

Synopsis "King Candaules"

Excerpt: ...indeed, to feel no resentment against me; but who can ensure me against the wrath of Nyssia, she who is so reserved and chaste, so apprehensive, fierce, and virginal in her modesty that she might be deemed still ignorant of the laws of Hymen? Should she ever learn of the sacrilege which I am about to render myself guilty of in deferring to my master's wishes, what punishment would she condemn me to suffer in expiation of such a crime? Who could place me beyond the reach of her avenging anger?' 'I did not know you were so wise and prudent, ' said Candaules, with a slightly ironical smile; 'but such dangers are all imaginary, and I shall hide you in such a way that Nyssia will never know she has been seen by any one except her royal husband.' Being unable to offer any further defence, Gyges made a sign of assent in token of complete submission to the king's will. He had made all the resistance in his power, and thenceforward his conscience could feel at ease in regard to whatever might happen; besides, by any further opposition to the will of Candaules, he would have feared to oppose destiny itself, which seemed striving to bring him still nearer to Nyssia for some grim ulterior purpose into which it was not given to him to see further. Without actually being able to foresee any result, he beheld a thousand vague and shadowy images passing before his eyes. That subterranean love, so long crouched at the foot of his soul's stairway, had climbed a few steps higher, guided by some fitful glimmer of hope. The weight of the impossible no longer pressed so heavily upon his breast, now that he believed himself aided by the gods. In truth, who would have dreamed that the much-boasted charms of the daughter of Megabazus would ere long cease to own any mystery for Gyges? 'Come, Gyges, ' said Candaules, taking him by the hand, 'let us make profit of the time. Nyssia is walking in the garden with her women; let us look at the place, and plan our stratagems for.

Lafcadio Hearn

(Translated by)

View Author's Page

(Greece 1850 - Japan 1904), born in Greece to an Irish father and Greek mother, he was raised between Greece and Ireland. At the age of nineteen, he moved to the United States to start his journalism career and later to Japan in 1890, where he would spend the rest of his life as a teacher and writer. He is noted for his narrative and descriptive talent both in his journalistic and literary work. He was one of the first Europeans to introduce Japanese culture to Western readers. His long stay in Japan, combined with his deep knowledge of Japanese culture and traditions and his poetic imagination and narrative style, have secured him a privileged place in the reading community and an even more privileged place in the hearts of the Japanese.

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