Module 2: "Pyramus and Thisbe"

Their parents occupied adjoining houses; and neighbourhood brought the young people together, and acquaintance ripened into love.

They would gladly have married, but their parents forbade.

One thing, however, they could not forbid—that love should glow with equal ardour in the bosoms of both.

They conversed by signs and glances, and the fire burned more intensely for being covered up.

Such words they uttered on different sides of the wall; and when night came and they must say farewell, they pressed their lips upon the wall, she on her side, he on his, as they could come no nearer.

Then, after lamenting their hard fate, they agreed that next night, when all was still, they would slip away from the watchful eyes, leave their dwellings and walk out into the fields; and to insure a meeting, repair to a well-known edifice standing without the city’s bounds, called the Tomb of Ninus, and that the one who came first should await the other at the foot of a certain tree.

Then, after lamenting their hard fate, they agreed that next night, when all was still, they would slip away from the watchful eyes, leave their dwellings and walk out into the fields; and to insure a meeting, repair to a well-known edifice standing without the city’s bounds, called the Tomb of Ninus, and that the one who came first should await the other at the foot of a certain tree.

Then, after lamenting their hard fate, they agreed that next night, when all was still, they would slip away from the watchful eyes, leave their dwellings and walk out into the fields; and to insure a meeting, repair to a well-known edifice standing without the city’s bounds, called the Tomb of Ninus, and that the one who came first should await the other at the foot of a certain tree.

As she sat alone in the dim light of the evening she descried a lioness, her jaws reeking with recent slaughter, approaching the fountain to slake her thirst.

As she sat alone in the dim light of the evening she descried a lioness, her jaws reeking with recent slaughter, approaching the fountain to slake her thirst.

He took up the veil, carried it with him to the appointed tree, and covered it with kisses and with tears.

She saw her veil stained blood and the scabbard empty of its sword.

Her parents ratified her wish, the gods also ratified it.

The two bodies were buried in one sepulchre, and the tree ever after brought forth purple berries, as it does to this day.