The historian relates that Vision had a brother of a capricious temper, his name was BEWICHING-GLANCE: in his infancy he was separated from Vision, having been carried away by robbers; but being taken into Beauty’s service, in the course of time became her chief archer.
Vision happened to be looking about the garden while Glance was reposing upon a narcissus bed,* in a state of intoxication; but perceiving Vision, he recovered his senses, and brandishing a dart over his head he exclaimed “Who art thou? Where comest thou from? Thou appearest to be some stranger come from the road of perfidy, intending to commit depredations here.” It was Glance’s design indeed to have killed him that instant, having first stript him and placed a bandage over his eyes. Their mother, continues the historian, had two onyxes from Arabia felix, one of which she secretly bound on one arm of each of her sons as an antidote against danger.
No sooner had Glance stript Vision than he discovered the onyx on his arm, and having questioned him concerning it, he related the history of his mother and brother. Glance being convinced that Vision was his own brother, and that both their gems came off the same string, unbound his eyes and embraced him; bade him to unfold how they became separated, conducted him to his house, and treated him with brotherly affection.
Beauty hearing however that Glance had a brother arrived, gave order for Glance to repair to her presence on tbe morrow, to make her acquainted with the manner of his coming: she said to him “What is the name of thy brother lately come? What arts does he profess?” Glance answered, “My brother’s name is Vision, he is a perfect judge of jewels.” Beauty replied, “Long have I had a jewel in my treasury the love of which is treasured in my breast; it is a figure in stone, so exquisitely carved, that it is quite enchanting: I know not what species of gem it is, nor whose likeness it represents.
Glance, conformably to his order, next day conducted Vision into Beauty’s presence: Beauty tried him on various subjects, and Vision gave a just explanation to each question. At length she called her treasurer and ordered him to bring the stone figure (alluded to,) which was no sooner beheld by Vision than he perceived the exact likeness of Heart from head to foot, and addressing Beauty, he said, “This is the likeness of a Prince in the West, whose name is Heart, and whose beauty and accomplishments are universally spoken of.”
Vision having given this description of Heart, Beauty fell violently in love with him, though she had never seen his person. In short, she was so captivated, that calling Vision to her retire apartments she said, “Since thou hast given such a pleasing description of Heart’s elegance, thou must show me the road of union; having surmounted difficulties, thou mightest the more readily open the way of attachment between Heart and myself.” Vision replied, “It would be very difficult to bring Heart here, because he is confined as Governor in the castle of Body, under the strict eye of his father; both night and day: but for some time he has had a thirst for the water of life; and has made every possible inquiry after it; therefore if one of your Highness’s ministers could go with me and take a taste of the water of life, we might probably withdraw the veil that hangs between you, and induce Heart to come with us.