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Thasus； methinks we are like people in a dream。 There is no substance in
the life which we are leading。 It is such a dreary length of time since the
white bull carried off my sister Europa； that I have quite forgotten how she
looked； and the tones of her voice； and； indeed； almost doubt whether such
a little girl ever lived in the world。 And whether she once lived or no； I am
convinced that she no longer survives； and that therefore it is the merest
folly to waste our own lives and happiness in seeking her。 Were we to find
her； she would now be a woman grown； and would look upon us all as
strangers。 So； to tell you the truth； I have resolved to take up my abode
here； and I entreat you； mother； brother； and friend； to follow my
example。〃
〃Not I； for one；〃 said Telephassa； although the poor queen； firmly as
she spoke； was so travel…worn that she could hardly put her foot to the
ground。 〃Not I； for one！ In the depths of my heart； little Europa is still the
rosy child who ran to gather flowers so many years ago。 She has not
grown to womanhood； nor forgotten me。 At noon； at night； journeying
onward； sitting down to rest； her childish voice is always in my ears；
calling； 'Mother！ mother！' Stop here who may； there is no repose for me。〃
〃Nor for me；〃 said Cadmus； 〃while my dear mother pleases to go
onward。〃
And the faithful Thasus； too； was resolved to bear them company。
They remained with Cilix a few days； however； and helped him to build a
rustic bower； resembling the one which they had formerly built for
Phoenix。
When they were bidding him farewell Cilix burst into tears； and told
his mother that it seemed just as melancholy a dream to stay there； in
solitude； as to go onward。 If she really believed that they would ever find
Europa； he was willing to continue the search with them； even now。 But
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Telephassa bade him remain there； and be happy； if his own heart would
let him。 So the pilgrims took their leave of him； and departed； and were
hardly out of sight before some other wandering people came along that
way； and saw Cilix's habitation； and were greatly delighted with the
appearance of the place。 There being abundance of unoccupied ground in
the neighborhood； these strangers built huts for themselves； and were soon
joined by a multitude of new settlers； who quickly formed a city。 In the
middle of it was seen a magnificent palace of colored marble； on the
balcony of which； every noontide； appeared Cilix； in a long purple robe；
and with a jeweled crown upon his head； for the inhabitants； when they
found out that he was a king's son； had considered him the fittest of all
men to be a king himself。
One of the first acts of King Cilix's government was to send out an
expedition； consisting of a grave ambassador； and an escort of bold and
hardy young men； with orders to visit the principal kingdoms of the earth；
and inquire whether a young maiden had passed through those regions；
galloping swiftly on a white bull。 It is； therefore； plain to my mind； that
Cilix secretly blamed himself for giving up the search for Europa； as long
as he was able to put one foot before the other。
As for Telephassa； and Cadmus； and the good Thasus； it grieves me to
think of them； still keeping up that weary pilgrimage。 The two young men
did their best for the poor queen； helping her over the rough places； often
carrying her across rivulets in their faithful arms and seeking to shelter her
at nightfall； even when they themselves lay on the ground。 Sad； sad it was
to hear them asking of every passer…by if he had seen Europa； so long after
the white bull had carried her away。 But； though the gray years thrust
themselves between； and made the child's figure dim in their remembrance；
neither of these true…hearted three ever dreamed of giving up the search。
One morning； however； poor Thasus found that he had sprained his
ankle； and could not possibly go a step farther。
〃After a few days； to be sure；〃 said he； mournfully； 〃I might make shift
to hobble along with a stick。 But that would only delay you； and perhaps
hinder you from finding dear little Europa； after all your pains and trouble。
Do you go forward； therefore； my beloved companions； and leave me to
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follow as I may。〃
〃Thou hast been a true friend； dear Thasus；〃 said Queen Telephassa；
kissing his forehead。 〃Being neither my son； nor the brother of our lost
Europa； thou hast shown thyself truer to me and her than Phoenix and
Cilix did； whom we have left behind us。 Without thy loving help； and that
of my son Cadmus； my limbs could not have borne me half so far as this。
Now； take thy rest； and be at peace。 Forand it is the first time I have
owned it to myselfI begin to question whether we shall ever find my
beloved daughter in this world。〃
Saying this； the poor queen shed tears； because it was a grievous trial
to the mother's heart to confess that her hopes were growing faint。 From
that day forward； Cadmus noticed that she never traveled with the same
alacrity of spirit that had heretofore supported her。 Her weight was heavier
upon his arm。
Before setting out； Cadmus helped Thasus build a bower； while
Telephassa； being too infirm to give any great assistance； advised them
how to fit it up and furnish it； so that it might be as comfortable as a hut of
branches could。 Thasus； however； did not spend all his days in this green
bower。 For it happened to him； as to Phoenix and Cilix； that other
homeless people visited the spot； and liked it； and built themselves
habitations in the neighborhood。 So here； in the course of a few years； was
another thriving city； with a red freestone palace in the center of it； where
Thasus sat upon a throne； doing justice to the people； with a purple robe
over his shoulders； a sceptre in his hand； and a crown upon his head。 The
inhabitants had made him king； not for the sake of any royal blood （for
none was in his veins）； but because Thasus was an upright； true…hearted；
and courageous man； and therefore fit to rule。
But when the affairs of his kingdom were all settled； King Thasus laid
aside his purple robe and crown； and sceptre； and bade his worthiest
subjects distribute justice to the people in his stead。 Then； grasping the
pilgrim's staff that had supported him so long； he set forth again； hoping
still to discover some hoof…mark of the snow…white bull； some trace of the
vanished child。 He returned after a lengthened absence； and sat down
wearily upon his throne。 To his latest hour； nevertheless； King Thasus
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showed his true…hearted remembrance of Europa； by ordering that a fire
should always be kept burning in his palace； and a bath steaming hot； and
food ready to be served up； and a bed with snow…white sheets； in case the
maiden should arrive； and require immediate refreshment。 And； though
Europa never came； the good Thasus had the blessings of many a poor
traveler； who profited by the food and lodging which were meant for the
little playmate of the king's boyhood。
Telephassa and Cadmus were now pursuing their weary way； with no
companion but each other。 The queen leaned heavily upon her son's arm；
and could walk only a few miles a day。 But for all her weakness and
weariness； she would not be persuaded to give up the search。 It was
enough to bring tears into the eyes of bearded men to hear the melancholy
tone with which she inquired of every stranger whether he could not tell
her any news of the lost child。
〃Have you seen a little girlno； no； I mean a young maiden of full
growthpassing by this way； mounted on a snow…wh