Shakespeare in “Twelfth Night” links the mind of the Duke with the opal (written “opall” in early editions). Boetius, Cardanus and a host of writers pay their tributes to the “orphan” of the Greeks, and Petrus Arlensis writes: “The various colours in the opal tend greatly to the delectation of the sight; nay, more, they have the greatest efficacy in cheering the heart, and the inward parts especially rejoice the eyes of the beholders. One in particular came into my hands in which such beauty, loveliness and grace shone forth that it could truly boast that it forcibly drew all other gems to itself, while it surprised, astonished and held captive without escape or intermission the hearts of all who beheld it. It was of the size of a filbert and clasped in the claws of a golden eagle wrought with wonderful art; and had such vivid and various colours that all the beauties of the heavens might be viewed within it. Grace went out from it, majesty shot forth from its almost divine splendour. It sent forth such bright and piercing rays that it struck terror into all beholders. In a word it bestowed upon the wearer the qualities granted by Nature to itself, for by an invisible dart it penetrated the souls and dazzled the eyes of all who saw it: appalled all hearts, however bold and courageous: in fine, it filled with trembling the bodies of the bystanders and forced them by a fatal impulse to love, honour and worship it. I have seen, I have felt, I call God to witness: of a truth such a stone is to be valued at an inestimable amount.” [Illustration: Opals of Wonderful Colour Kelsey I. Newman Collection ] Turning back again, we read Pliny’s poetical opinion that “the opal is made up of the glories of the most precious gems which make description so difficult. For amongst them is the gentler fire of the ruby, the rich purple of the amethyst, the sea-green of the emerald, glittering together in union indescribable. Others by the intensity of their hues equal all the painter’s colours, others the flame of burning brimstone or of fire quickened by oil.” In admiration the Romans called the gem Cupid-Paederos, child beautiful as love, and it was also known as Orphanus, the orphan, because of its isolated glory. Leonardus wrote that it partook of all the virtues of those stones whose colours it showed, and Porta said that it not only drove away despondency but malignant affections also. So highly valued was the stone in the ancient world that the Roman Senator Nonius, who wore an opal ring worth 20,000 sesterces, preferred to be exiled by Marcus Antonius, who wished to purchase it to present to the Egyptian Queen Kleopatra, to giving it up. This famous ring was some few years back discovered in the tomb of the firm-willed senator of old Rome.