Galaxy/The codex of Thisbe

The loveliest maiden of eastern Babylon, who loved Pyramus through a chink in the wall between their houses, fled a lioness at their tryst, and on finding her lover dead by his own sword took the weapon and followed him — their blood staining the mulberry forever.1

I

In adjoining houses near the brick walls Queen Semiramis had built, Thisbe and Pyramus grew fond through a crack in the party wall — a passage their fathers' enmity could not close. They planned to steal out by night to Ninus' tomb and meet alone.2

II

Thisbe arrived first and fled a lioness fresh from the kill, dropping her cloak in her terror. When she returned and found Pyramus dying, she took his sword and followed him to death.3

III

Hyginus lists Thisbe of Babylon among maidens who killed themselves because Pyramus had already slain himself for love of her.4

the spine ignites as you read · hover a bond on the card — every mention of them lights in the story

BEYOND THE POETS

How the centuries since have seen Thisbe — art, artifacts and echoes.

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