So comfortable and home-like did it seem , that Telephassa and her three companions could not help sighing , to think that they must still roam about the world , instead of spending the remainder of their lives in some such cheerful abode as they had here built for Phoenix . But , when they bade him farewell , Phoenix shed tears , and probably regretted that he was no longer to keep them company . However , he had fixed upon an admirable place to dwell in . And by and by there came other people , who chanced to have no homes ; and , seeing how pleasant a spot it was , they built themselves huts in the neighborhood of Phoenix 's habitation . Thus , before many years went by , a city had grown up there , in the center of which was seen a stately palace of marble , wherein dwelt Phoenix , clothed in a purple robe , and wearing a golden crown upon his head . For the inhabitants of the new city , finding that he had royal blood in his veins , had chosen him to be their king . The very first decree of state which King Phoenix issued was , that , if a maiden happened to arrive in the kingdom , mounted on a snow-white bull , and calling herself Europa , his subjects should treat her with the greatest kindness and respect , and immediately bring her to the palace . You may see , by this , that Phoenix 's conscience never quite ceased to trouble him , for giving up the quest of his dear sister , and sitting himself down to be comfortable , while his mother and her companions went onward . But often and often , at the close of a weary day 's journey , did Telephassa and Cadmus , Cilix , and Thasus , remember the pleasant spot in which they had left Phoenix . It was a sorrowful prospect for these wanderers , that on the morrow they must again set forth , and that , after many nightfalls , they would perhaps be no nearer the close of their toilsome pilgrimage than now . These thoughts made them all melancholy at times , but appeared to torment Cilix more than the rest of the party . At length , one morning , when they were taking their staffs in hand to set out , he thus addressed them : `` My dear mother , and you , good brother Cadmus , and my friend Thasus , methinks we are like people in a dream . There is no substance in the life which we are leading . It is such a dreary length of time since the white bull carried off my sister Europa , that I have quite forgotten how she looked , and the tones of her voice , and , indeed , almost doubt whether such a little girl ever lived in the world . And whether she once lived or no , I am convinced that she no longer survives , and that therefore it is the merest folly to waste our own lives and happiness in seeking her . Were we to find her , she would now be a woman grown , and would look upon us all as strangers . So , to tell you the truth , I have resolved to take up my abode here ; and I entreat you , mother , brother , and friend , to follow my example . '' `` Not I , for one , '' said Telephassa ; although the poor queen , firmly as she spoke , was so travel-worn that she could hardly put her foot to the ground . `` Not I , for one ! In the depths of my heart , little Europa is still the rosy child who ran to gather flowers so many years ago .
She has not grown XXXXX womanhood , nor forgotten me .
after although as at if in of than to whether