In the form of an imaginary conversation between AEsop and Rhodope,
Landor makes the latter describe how her father, in the famine,
unbeknown to her, starved that she might have plenty, and, when all
was gone, took her to the market-place to sell her that she might live.
There is an exquisite delicacy in this dialogue that places it among the
wonders of literature:--
"_Rhodope_. Never shall I forget the morning when my father,
sitting in the coolest part of the house, exchanged his last
measure of grain for a chlamys of scarlet cloth, fringed with
silver. He watched the merchant out of the door, and then looked
wistfully into the cornchest. I, who thought there was something
worth seeing, looked in also, and finding it empty, expressed my
disappointment, not thinking, however, about the corn. A faint and
transient smile came over his countenance at the sight of mine. He
unfolded the chlamys, stretched it out with both hands before me,
and then cast it over my shoulders. I looked down on the
glittering fringe and screamed with joy. He then went out; and I
know not what flowers he gathered, but he gathered many; and some
he placed in my bosom, and some in my hair. But I told him with
captious pride, first that I could arrange them better, and again
that I would have only the white.
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