...taken up for the purpose of subjugating their neighbors, she This refers to the Amazon queen Marpesia. proceeded in her ruthlessness, and thus they took away spoils from the coastal regions, maintaining their republic for some time. However, when Lampedo had finally led the army against the enemies, Marpesia—possessing too much self-confidence—was slain in a sudden incursion of the surrounding barbarians, having left behind some of her daughters with a portion of the troops. What followed concerning Lampedo, however, I do not remember reading.

XII. CONCERNING THISBE, THE BABYLONIAN MAIDEN

Thisbe, a Babylonian maiden, was made more celebrated among mortals by the outcome of her unhappy love than by any other deed. Is it not held even by our ancestors who her parents were? original: "huus etiam non a maioribus nostris qui parentes fuerit habitum?" The author questions the lack of specific genealogical records for Thisbe compared to other noble women. It is sufficiently believed, however, that she had a house adjoining that of Pyramus, a boy of her own age, within Babylon. Since they were neighbors by right, they were in constant association; and from this, while they were still children, a singular chance sparked a childish affection.

As the years grew, and since both were exceedingly beautiful, this childish love increased into a massive fire. They would reveal this to one another at least by nods sometimes, as they were now approaching the age of puberty. Indeed, when Thisbe became a young woman, she began to be kept at home by her parents for her future wedding rites original: "hymeneos," referring to Hymen, the Greek god of marriage ceremonies.. Since they both bore this separation very poorly, and sought anxiously for some way they might at least speak sometimes, they discovered a tiny crack in a shared wall which had been noticed by no one until then.

When they had met secretly at this crack quite often, and through the habit of speaking a little—with the wall acting as a barrier so they blushed less—they expanded their freedom to express their affections. Often they shared their sighs, tears, passions, desires, and all their sufferings. Sometimes they even begged one another for peace of mind, for embraces and kisses, and for devotion, faith, and perpetual love.

Finally, as the fire of their love grew, they decided to form a plan for flight on the following night, so that as soon as each was able to deceive their household, they would leave their homes. If one escaped first, they would go into the grove nearest the city and wait for the slower one by the fountain near the tomb of King Ninus original: "nini regis busto." Ninus was the legendary founder of Nineveh and husband of Semiramis.. By chance, the ardor of Thisbe was greater; she deceived her family and, wrapped in a cloak in the dead of night, she left her father’s house alone. With the moon showing the way, she went trembling into the grove; and while she waited by the fountain, at every movement of a thing...