The Star in the West

PREFACE Non mihi subtilem calamum si cedat Apelles Quae tibi sunt dotes , posse notare putem . AT I.N.R.I. T first sight it may appear to the casual reader of this essay , that the superscription on its cover is both froward and perverse , and contrary to the sum of human experience . This however I trust he will find is not the case , and , as Ianthe , will discover that after the mystic union has been consummated , the beautiful daughter of Ligdus and Telethusa was as acceptable a young husband as ever wooed nymph on the shaded slopes of Ida . Much has been written concerning stars , both terres trial and celestial , and not a little regarding that cap ricious star which gleamed over the humble manger bed of the Son of Man . Dark seas of blood have long since lapped that star of the morning into the crimson oblivion of day , whose empurpled strife has also rumbled into the distance as the droning of some drowsy fire - finger on the sleeping parchment of life , murmuring and moaning as the wind - kissed mouth of a dreamy drum . Yet why should we still listen for those subtle sounds which have wearily danced out their slow saraband of sorrow . Once Orphic they arose emparadising the cavernous