Choaspes

See Circenester. P. R. 3. 288. (See also Severn, Susiana.) A river of southern Persia emptying into the Schatt el Arab. The story to which Milton refers in the words, “The drink of none but Kings” is told by Hero dot us as follows: “Now the great king makes his marches not only well furnished from home with provisions for his table and with cattle, but also taking with him water of the Choaspes boiled, which flows by Susa, of which alone and of no other river the king drinks: and of this water of the Choaspes boiled, a very great number of waggons, four-wheeled and drawn by mules, carry a supply in silver ve els, and go with him wherever he may march at any time.” Todd endeavors to explain why Milton says that only (1. 188.) kings drink of the water of this river. Among his references is one to Solinus, who writes: “The Choaspes is so sweet that the Persian kings, as long as it flows between banks of the soil of Persia, arrogate to themselves drafts from it.” (38. 4.) Todd “golden water” of which none but the kings drank, but says that this is not known to be the same as Choaspes. He also quotes from Heylyn {Cosmography, p. 3) as follows: ’“Eulaeus (another name for Choaspes), the chief river of Susiana, emptying itself into Sinus Persicus, a river of so pure a stream that the great Persian kings would drink of no other water.” refers also to a Jerram, in his edition of P. R., explains the adjective “amber,” which Milton applies to the river, as clear, and quotes from Virgil: puri or electro campum petit amnis. {Georg. 3. 522.) This is translated: “stream that rolls in its course to the plain.”... clearer than amber, He also refers to the pa age: And where the river of Bli through midst of Heavn Rowls o’er Elisian Flours her Amber stream. (P. L. 3. 358-9.): Since this stream is apparently the “pure river of water of life, clear as crystal” (Revelation 22. 1), the application of the words “amber stream” to Choaspes is high praise. The word amber used by Milton in connection with light or brightne in the following pa ages is Where the great Sun begins his state, Rob’d in flames, and Amber light. {L’All. 60-1.) thou fair Moon That wontst to love the travail ers benison Stoop thy pale visage through an amber cloud. (Comus 331-3.) Over thir heads a chrystal Firmament, Whereon a Saphir Throne, inlaid with pure Amber, and colours of the showrie Arch. (P. L. 6. 757-759.) The last is from Ezekiel 1. 26-28. 99