Croesus considers her the most excellent among women, and he has studied mankind as the physicians do plants and herbs.

He knows that rank poison lies hidden in some, in others healing cordials, and often says that Rhodopis is like a rose which, while fading away herself, and dropping leaf after leaf, continues to shed perfume and quickening balsam for the sick and weak, and awaits in patience the wind which at last shall waft her from us." "The gods grant that she may be with us for a long time yet! Dearest, will you grant me one great favor ?" "It is granted before I hear it." "When you take me home, do not leave Rhodopis here.

She must come with us.

She is so kind and loves me so fervently, that what makes me happy will make her so too, and whatever is dear to me, will seem to her worthy of being loved." "She shall be the first among our guests." "Now I am quite happy and satisfied, for I am necessary to my grandmother; she could not live without her child.

I laugh her cares and sorrows away, and when she is singing to me, or teaching me how to guide the style, or strike the lute, a clearer light beams from her brow, the furrows ploughed by grief disappear, her gentle eyes laugh, and she seems to forget the evil past in the happy present." "Before we part, I will ask her whether she will follow us home." "Oh, how glad that makes me! and do you know, the first days of our absence from each other do not seem so very dreadful to me.