To return to Fell; he made Prideaux edit Lucius Florus, and
publish the Marmora Oxoniensia, which came out 1676. We must not
suppose, however, that Prideaux was an enthusiastic archaeologist.
He did the Marmora because the Dean commanded it, and because
educated people were at that period not uninterested in Greek art.
At the present hour one may live a lifetime in Oxford and only learn,
by the accident of examining passmen in the Arundel Room, that the
University possesses any marbles. In the walls of the Arundel Room
(on the ground-floor in the Schools' quadrangle) these touching
remains of Hellas are interred. There are the funereal stelae, with
their quiet expression of sorrow, of hope, of resignation. The young
man, on his tombstone, is represented in the act of rising and taking
the hand of a friend. He is bound on his latest journey.
"He goeth forth unto the unknown land,
Where wife nor child may follow; thus far tell
The lingering clasp of hand in faithful hand,
And that brief carven legend, Friend, farewell.
O pregnant sign, profound simplicity!
All passionate pain and fierce remonstrating
Being wholly purged, leave this mere memory,
Deep but not harsh, a sad and sacred thing." {1}
The lady chooses from a coffer a trinket, or a ribbon. It is her
last toilette she is making, with no fear and no regret. Again, the
long-severed souls are meeting with delight in the home of the just
made perfect.
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