MERCURY and Ganymede were each lolling on an opposite couch in the antechamber of Olympus.
‘It is wonderful,’ said the son of Maia, yawning. ‘It is incredible,’ rejoined the cupbearer of Jove, stretching his legs.
‘Not three days back an outcast among his own wretched species!’
‘And now commanding everybody in Heaven.’ ‘He shall not command me, though,’ said Mercury.
‘Will he not?’ replied Ganymede. ‘Why, what do you think? only last night; hark! here he comes.’
The companions jumped up from their couches; a light laugh was heard. The cedar5 portal was flung open, and Ixion lounged in, habited in a loose morning robe, and kicking before him one of his slippers6. ‘Ah!’ exclaimed the King of Thessaly, ‘the very fellows I wanted to see! Ganymede, bring me some nectar; and, Mercury, run and tell Jove that I shall not dine at home to-day.’
The messenger and the page exchanged looks of indignant consternation7.
‘Well! what are you waiting for?’ continued Ixion, looking round from the mirror in which he was arranging his locks. The messenger and the page disappeared.
‘So! this is Heaven,’ exclaimed the husband of Dia, flinging himself upon one of the couches; ‘and a very pleasant place too. These worthy8 Immortals9 required their minds to be opened, and I trust I have effectually performed the necessary operation. They wanted to keep me down with their dull old-fashioned celestial11 airs, but I fancy I have given them change for their talent. To make your way in Heaven you must command. These exclusives sink under the audacious invention of an aspiring12 mind. Jove himself is really a fine old fellow, with some notions too. I am a prime favourite, and no one is greater authority with ??giochus on all subjects, from the character of the fair sex or the pedigree of a courser, down to the cut of a robe or the flavour of a dish. Thanks, Ganymede,’ continued the Thessalian, as he took the goblet13 from his returning attendant.
‘I drink to your bonnes fortunes. Splendid! This nectar makes me feel quite immortal10. By-the-bye, I hear sweet sounds. Who is in the Hall of Music?’
‘The Goddesses, royal sir, practise a new air of Euterpe, the words by Apollo. ‘Tis pretty, and will doubtless be very popular, for it is all about moonlight and the misery14 of existence.’
‘I warrant it.’
‘You have a taste for poetry yourself?’ inquired Ganymede.
‘Not the least,’ replied Ixion.
‘Apollo,’ continued the heavenly page, ‘is a great genius, though Marsyas said that he never would be a poet because he was a God, and had no heart. But do you think, sir, that a poet does indeed need a heart?’
‘I really cannot say. I know my wife always said I had a bad heart and worse head; but what she meant, upon my honour I never could understand.’
‘Minerva will ask you to write in her album.’
‘Will she indeed! I am sorry to hear it, for I can scarcely scrawl15 my signature. I should think that Jove himself cared little for all this nonsense.’
‘Jove loves an epigram. He does not esteem16 Apollo’s works at all. Jove is of the classical school, and admires satire17, provided there be no allusions18 to Gods and kings.’
‘Of course; I quite agree with him. I remember we had a confounded poet at Larissa who proved my family lived before the deluge19, and asked me for a pension. I refused him, and then he wrote an epigram asserting that I sprang from the veritable stones thrown by Deucalion and Pyrrha at the re-peopling of the earth, and retained all the properties of my ancestors.’
‘Ha, ha! Hark! there’s a thunderbolt! I must run to Jove.’
‘And I will look in on the musicians. This way, I think?’
‘Good-bye; a lively lad that!’
The King of Thessaly entered the Hall of Music with its golden walls and crystal dome22. The Queen of Heaven was reclining in an easy chair, cutting out peacocks in small sheets of note paper. Minerva was making a pencil observation on a manuscript copy of the song: Apollo listened with deference23 to her laudatory24 criticisms. Another divine dame25, standing26 by the side of Euterpe, who was seated by the harp27, looked up as Ixion entered. The wild liquid glance of her soft but radiant countenance28 denoted the famed Goddess of Beauty.
Juno just acknowledged the entrance of Ixion by a slight and haughty30 inclination31 of the head, and then resumed her employment. Minerva asked him his opinion of her amendment32, of which he greatly approved. Apollo greeted him with a melancholy33 smile, and congratulated him on being mortal. Venus complimented him on his visit to Olympus, and expressed the pleasure that she experienced in making his acquaintance.
‘What do you think of Heaven?’ inquired Venus, in a soft still voice, and with a smile like summer lightning.
‘I never found it so enchanting34 as at this moment,’ replied Ixion.
‘A little dull? For myself, I pass my time chiefly at Cnidos: you must come and visit me there. ‘Tis the most charming place in the world. ‘Tis said, you know, that our onions are like other people’s roses. We will take care of you, if your wife come.’
‘No fear of that. She always remains35 at home and piques36 herself on her domestic virtues37, which means pickling, and quarrelling with her husband.’
‘Ah! I see you are a droll38. Very good indeed. Well, for my part, I like a watering-place existence. Cnidos, Paphos, Cythera; you will usually find me at one of these places. I like the easy distraction39 of a career without any visible result. At these fascinating spots your gloomy race, to whom, by-the-bye, I am exceedingly partial, appear emancipated40 from the wearing fetters41 of their regular, dull, orderly, methodical, moral, political, toiling42 existence. I pride myself upon being the Goddess of watering-places. You really must pay me a visit at Cnidos.’
‘Such an invitation requires no repetition. And Cnidos is your favourite spot?’
‘Why, it was so; but of late it has become so inundated43 with invalid44 Asiatics and valetudinarian45 Persians, that the simultaneous influx46 of the handsome heroes who swarm47 in from the islands to look after their daughters, scarcely compensates48 for the annoying presence of their yellow faces and shaking limbs. No, I think, on the whole, Paphos is my favourite.’
‘I have heard of its magnificent luxury.’
‘Oh! ‘tis lovely! Quite my idea of country life. Not a single tree! When Cyprus is very hot, you run to Paphos for a sea-breeze, and are sure to meet every one whose presence is in the least desirable. All the bores remain behind, as if by instinct.’
‘I remember when we married, we talked of passing the honeymoon49 at Cythera, but Dia would have her waiting-maid and a bandbox stuffed between us in the chariot, so I got sulky after the first stage, and returned by myself.’
‘You were quite right. I hate bandboxes: they are always in the way. You would have liked Cythera if you had been in the least in love. High rocks and green knolls50, bowery woods, winding52 walks, and delicious sunsets. I have not been there much of late,’ continued the Goddess, looking somewhat sad and serious, ‘since—but I will not talk sentiment to Ixion.’
‘Do you think, then, I am insensible?’
‘Yes.’
‘So I have heard. How very odd!’ So saying, the Goddess glided54 away and saluted55 Mars, who at that moment entered the hall. Ixion was presented to the military hero, who looked fierce and bowed stiffly. The King of Thessaly turned upon his heel. Minerva opened her album, and invited him to inscribe56 a stanza57.
‘Goddess of Wisdom,’ replied the King, ‘unless you inspire me, the virgin58 page must remain pure as thyself. I can scarcely sign a decree.’
‘Is it Ixion of Thessaly who says this; one who has seen so much, and, if I am not mistaken, has felt and thought so much? I can easily conceive why such a mind may desire to veil its movements from the common herd59, but pray concede to Minerva the gratifying compliment of assuring her that she is the exception for whom this rule has been established.’
‘Here is one, plucked from a sacred owl29.’ ‘So! I write. There! Will it do?’ Minerva read the inscription:—
I HAVE SEEN THE WORLD, AND MORE THAN THE WORLD:
I HAVE STUDIED THE HEART OF MAN,
THE FRUIT OF MY TREE OF KNOWLEDGE IS PLUCKED,
AND IT IS THIS,
‘Adventures are to the Adventurous62.’
Written in the Album of Minerva, by
Ixion in Heaven.
‘’Tis brief,’ said the Goddess, with a musing63 air, ‘but full of meaning. You have a daring soul and pregnant mind.’
‘I have dared much: what I may produce we have yet to see.’
‘I must to Jove,’ said Minerva, ‘to council. We shall meet again. Farewell, Ixion.’
‘Farewell, Glaucopis.’
The King of Thessaly stood away from the remaining guests, and leant with folded arms and pensive64 brow against a wreathed column. Mars listened to Venus with an air of deep devotion. Euterpe played an inspiring accompaniment to their conversation. The Queen of Heaven seemed engrossed65 in the creation of her paper peacocks.
Ixion advanced and seated himself on a couch near Juno. His manner was divested66 of that reckless bearing and careless coolness by which it was in general distinguished67. He was, perhaps, even a little embarrassed. His ready tongue deserted68 him. At length he spoke69.
‘No,’ replied Juno, with stately reserve; and then she added with an air of indifferent curiosity, ‘Is it in any way remarkable71?’
‘Its breast is of silver, its wings of gold, its eyes of carbuncle, its claws of amethyst.’
‘And its tail?’ eagerly inquired Juno.
‘That is a secret,’ replied Ixion. ‘The tail is the most wonderful part of all.’
‘Oh! tell me, pray tell me!’
‘I forget.’
‘No, no, no; it is impossible!’ exclaimed the animated72 Juno. ‘Provoking mortal!’ continued the Goddess. ‘Let me entreat73 you; tell me immediately.’
‘There is a reason which prevents me.’
‘What can it be? How very odd! What reason can it possibly be? Now tell me; as a particular, a personal favour, I request you, do tell me.’
‘What! The tail or the reason? The tail is wonderful, but the reason is much more so. I can only tell one. Now choose.’
‘What provoking things these human beings are! The tail is wonderful, but the reason is much more so. Well then, the reason; no, the tail. Stop, now, as a particular favour, pray tell me both. What can the tail be made of and what can the reason be? I am literally74 dying of curiosity.’
‘Your Majesty has cut out that peacock wrong,’ remarked Ixion. ‘It is more like one of Minerva’s owls75.’
‘Who cares about paper peacocks, when the Queen of Mesopotamia has got such a miracle!’ exclaimed Juno; and she tore the labours of the morning to pieces, and threw away the fragments with vexation. ‘Now tell me instantly; if you have the slightest regard for me, tell me instantly. What was the tail made of?’
‘And you do not wish to hear the reason?’
‘That afterwards. Now! I am all ears.’ At this moment Ganymede entered, and whispered the Goddess, who rose in evident vexation, and retired76 to the presence of Jove.
The King of Thessaly quitted the Hall of Music. Moody77, yet not uninfluenced by a degree of wild excitement, he wandered forth78 into the gardens of Olympus. He came to a beautiful green retreat surrounded by enormous cedars79, so vast that it seemed they must have been coeval80 with the creation; so fresh and brilliant, you would have deemed them wet with the dew of their first spring. The turf, softer than down, and exhaling81, as you pressed it, an exquisite82 perfume, invited him to recline himself upon this natural couch. He threw himself upon the aromatic83 herbage, and leaning on his arm, fell into a deep reverie.
‘Ixion, how do you do?’ inquired a voice, wild, sweet, and thrilling as a bird. The King of Thessaly started and looked up with the distracted air of a man roused from a dream, or from complacent86 meditation87 over some strange, sweet secret. His cheek was flushed, his dark eyes flashed fire; his brow trembled, his dishevelled hair played in the fitful breeze. The King of Thessaly looked up, and beheld88 a most beautiful youth.
Apparently89, he had attained90 about the age of puberty. His stature91, however, was rather tall for his age, but exquisitely92 moulded and proportioned. Very fair, his somewhat round cheeks were tinted93 with a rich but delicate glow, like the rose of twilight94, and lighted by dimples that twinkled like stars. His large and deep-blue eyes sparkled with exultation95, and an air of ill-suppressed mockery quivered round his pouting96 lips. His light auburn hair, braided off his white forehead, clustered in massy curls on each side of his face, and fell in sunny torrents97 down his neck. And from the back of the beautiful youth there fluttered forth two wings, the tremulous plumage of which seemed to have been bathed in a sunset: so various, so radiant, and so novel were its shifting and wondrous98 tints99; purple, and crimson100, and gold; streaks101 of azure102, dashes of orange and glossy103 black; now a single feather, whiter than light, and sparkling like the frost, stars of emerald and carbuncle, and then the prismatic blaze of an enormous brilliant! A quiver hung at the side of the beautiful youth, and he leant upon a bow.
‘Oh! God, for God thou must be!’ at length exclaimed Ixion. ‘Do I behold104 the bright divinity of Love?’
‘I am indeed Cupid,’ replied the youth; ‘and am curious to know what Ixion is thinking about.’ ‘Thought is often bolder than speech.’ ‘Oracular, though a mortal! You need not be afraid to trust me. My aid I am sure you must need. Who ever was found in a reverie on the green turf, under the shade of spreading trees, without requiring the assistance of Cupid? Come! be frank, who is the heroine? Some love-sick nymph deserted on the far earth; or worse, some treacherous105 mistress, whose frailty106 is more easily forgotten than her charms? ‘Tis a miserable situation, no doubt. It cannot be your wife?’
‘Assuredly not,’ replied Ixion, with energy.
‘Another man’s?’
‘No.’
Ixion shook his head.
‘It must be a widow, then,’ continued Cupid. ‘Who ever heard before of such a piece of work about a widow!’
‘Have pity upon me, dread109 Cupid!’ exclaimed the King of Thessaly, rising suddenly from the ground, and falling on his knee before the God. ‘Thou art the universal friend of man, and all nations alike throw their incense110 on thy altars. Thy divine discrimination has not deceived thee. I am in love; desperately111, madly, fatally enamoured. The object of my passion is neither my own wife nor another man’s. In spite of all they have said and sworn, I am a moral member of society. She is neither a maid nor a widow. She is———’
‘A Goddess!’ replied the King.
‘Wheugh!’ whistled Cupid. ‘What! has my mischievous113 mother been indulging you with an innocent flirtation114?’
‘Yes; but it produced no effect upon me.’
‘You have a stout115 heart, then. Perhaps you have been reading poetry with Minerva, and are caught in one of her Platonic116 man-traps.’
‘She set one, but I broke away.’
‘You have a stout leg, then. But where are you, where are you? Is it Hebe? It can hardly be Diana, she is so cold. Is it a Muse117, or is it one of the Graces?’
Ixion again shook his head.
‘Come, my dear fellow,’ said Cupid, quite in a confidential118 tone, ‘you have told enough to make further reserve mere119 affectation. Ease your heart at once, and if I can assist you, depend upon my exertions120.’
‘Beneficent God!’ exclaimed Ixion, ‘if I ever return to Larissa, the brightest temple in Greece shall hail thee for its inspiring deity. I address thee with all the confiding121 frankness of a devoted122 votary123. Know, then, the heroine of my reverie was no less a personage than the Queen of Heaven herself!’
‘Juno! by all that is sacred!’ shouted Cupid. ‘I am here,’ responded a voice of majestic124 melody. The stately form of the Queen of Heaven advanced from a neighbouring bower51. Ixion stood with his eyes fixed125 upon the ground, with a throbbing126 heart and burning cheeks. Juno stood motionless, pale, and astounded127. The God of Love burst into excessive laughter.
‘A pretty pair!’ he exclaimed, fluttering between both, and laughing in their faces. ‘Truly a pretty pair! Well! I see I am in your way. Good-bye!’ And so saying, the God pulled a couple of arrows from his quiver, and with the rapidity of lightning shot one in the respective breasts of the Queen of Heaven and the King of Thessaly.
The amethystine128 twilight of Olympus died away. The stars blazed with tints of every hue129. Ixion and Juno returned to the palace. She leant upon his arm; her eyes were fixed upon the ground; they were in sight of the gorgeous pile, and yet she had not spoken. Ixion, too, was silent, and gazed with abstraction upon the glowing sky.
Suddenly, when within a hundred yards of the portal, Juno stopped, and looking up into the face of Ixion with an irresistible130 smile, she said, ‘I am sure you cannot now refuse to tell me what the Queen of Mesopotamia’s peacock’s tail was made of!’
‘It is impossible now,’ said Ixion. ‘Know, then, beautiful Goddess, that the tail of the Queen of Mesopotamia’s peacock was made of some plumage she had stolen from the wings of Cupid.’
‘And what was the reason that prevented you from telling me before?’
‘Because, beautiful Juno, I am the most discreet131 of men, and respect the secret of a lady, however trifling132.’
‘I am glad to hear that,’ replied Juno, and they re-entered the palace.
Mercury met Juno and Ixion in the gallery leading to the grand banqueting hall.
‘I was looking for you,’ said the God, shaking his head. ‘Jove is in a sublime133 rage. Dinner has been ready this hour.’
The King of Thessaly and the Queen of Heaven exchanged a glance and entered the saloon. Jove looked up with a brow of thunder, but did not condescend134 to send forth a single flash of anger. Jove looked up and Jove looked down. All Olympus trembled as the Father of Gods and men resumed his soup. The rest of the guests seemed nervous and reserved, except Cupid, who said immediately to Juno, ‘Your Majesty has been detained?’
‘I fell asleep in a bower reading Apollo’s last poem,’ replied Juno. ‘I am lucky, however, in finding a companion in my negligence135. Ixion, where have you been?’
‘Take a glass of nectar, Juno,’ said Cupid, with eyes twinkling with mischief136; ‘and perhaps Ixion will join us.’
This was the most solemn banquet ever celebrated137 in Olympus. Everyone seemed out of humour or out of spirits. Jupiter spoke only in monosyllables of suppressed rage, that sounded like distant thunder. Apollo whispered to Minerva. Mercury never opened his lips, but occasionally exchanged significant glances with Ganymede. Mars compensated138, by his attentions to Venus, for his want of conversation. Cupid employed himself in asking disagreeable questions. At length the Goddesses retired. Mercury exerted himself to amuse Jove, but the Thunderer scarcely deigned139 to smile at his best stories. Mars picked his teeth, Apollo played with his rings, Ixion was buried in a profound reverie.
It was a great relief to all when Ganymede summoned them to the presence of their late companions.
‘I have written a comment upon your inscription,’ said Minerva to Ixion, ‘and am anxious for your opinion of it.’
‘I am a wretched critic,’ said the King, breaking away from her. Juno smiled upon him in the distance.
‘Ixion,’ said Venus, as he passed by, ‘come and talk to me.’
The bold Thessalian blushed, he stammered140 out an unmeaning excuse, he quitted the astonished but good-natured Goddess, and seated himself by Juno, and as he seated himself his moody brow seemed suddenly illumined with brilliant light.
‘Is it so?’ said Venus.
‘Hem!’ said Minerva.
‘Ha, ha!’ said Cupid.
Jupiter played piquette with Mercury.
‘Everything goes wrong to-day,’ said the King of Heaven; ‘cards wretched, and kept waiting for dinner, and by——-a mortal!’
‘Your Majesty must not be surprised,’ said the good-natured Mercury, with whom Ixion was no favourite. ‘Your Majesty must not be very much surprised at the conduct of this creature. Considering what he is, and where he is, I am only astonished that his head is not more turned than it appears to be. A man, a thing made of mud, and in Heaven! Only think, sire! Is it not enough to inflame141 the brain of any child of clay? To be sure, keeping your Majesty from dinner is little short of celestial high treason. I hardly expected that, indeed. To order me about, to treat Ganymede as his own lacquey, and, in short, to command the whole household; all this might be expected from such a person in such a situation, but I confess I did think he had some little respect left for your Majesty.’
‘And he does order you about, eh?’ inquired Jove. ‘I have the spades.’
‘Oh! ‘tis quite ludicrous,’ responded the son of Maia. ‘Your Majesty would not expect from me the offices that this upstart daily requires.’
‘Eternal destiny! is’t possible? That is my trick. And Ganymede, too?’
‘Oh! quite shocking, I assure you, sire,’ said the beautiful cupbearer, leaning over the chair of Jove with all the easy insolence142 of a privileged favourite. ‘Really, sire, if Ixion is to go on in the way he does, either he or I must quit.’
‘Is it possible?’ exclaimed Jupiter. ‘But I can believe anything of a man who keeps me waiting for dinner. Two and three make five.’
‘It is Juno that encourages him so,’ said Ganymede.
‘Does she encourage him?’ inquired Jove.
‘Everybody notices it,’ protested Ganymede.
‘It is indeed a little noticed,’ observed Mercury.
‘What business has such a fellow to speak to Juno?’ exclaimed Jove. ‘A mere mortal, a mere miserable mortal! You have the point. How I have been deceived in this fellow! Who ever could have supposed that, after all my generosity143 to him, he would ever have kept me waiting for dinner?’
‘He was walking with Juno,’ said Ganymede. ‘It was all a sham144 about their having met by accident. Cupid saw them.’
‘Ha!’ said Jupiter, turning pale; ‘you don’t say so! Repiqued, as I am a God. That is mine. Where is the Queen?’
‘Talking to Ixion, sire,’ said Mercury. ‘Oh, I beg your pardon, sire; I did not know you meant the queen of diamonds.’
‘Never mind. I am repiqued, and I have been kept waiting for dinner. Accursed be this day! Is Ixion really talking to Juno? We will not endure this.’
‘Where is Juno?’ demanded Jupiter.
‘I am sure I cannot say,’ said Venus, with a smile.
‘Mercury, Ganymede, find the Queen of Heaven instantly,’ thundered the Father of Gods and men.
The celestial messenger and the heavenly page flew away out of different doors. There was a terrible, an immortal silence. Sublime rage lowered on the brow of Jove like a storm upon the mountain-top. Minerva seated herself at the card-table and played at Patience. Venus and Cupid tittered in the background. Shortly returned the envoys147, Mercury looking solemn, Ganymede malignant148.
‘Well?’ inquired Jove; and all Olympus trembled at the monosyllable.
Mercury shook his head.
‘Her Majesty has been walking on the terrace with the King of Thessaly,’ replied Ganymede.
‘Where is she now, sir?’ demanded Jupiter.
‘Her Majesty is resting herself in the pavilion of Cupid, with the King of Thessaly,’ replied Ganymede.
‘Confusion!’ exclaimed the Father of Gods and men; and he rose and seized a candle from the table, scattering150 the cards in all directions. Every one present, Minerva and Venus, and Mars and Apollo, and Mercury and Ganymede, and the Muses151, and the Graces, and all the winged genii—each seized a candle; rifling the chandeliers, each followed Jove.
‘This way,’ said Mercury.
‘This way,’ said Ganymede.
‘This way, this way!’ echoed the celestial crowd.
‘Mischief!’ cried Cupid; ‘I must save my victims.’
They were all upon the terrace. The Father of Gods and men, though both in a passion and a hurry, moved with dignity. It was, as customary in Heaven, a clear and starry152 night; but this eve Diana was indisposed, or otherwise engaged, and there was no moonlight. They were in sight of the pavilion.
‘What are you?’ inquired Cupid of one of the genii, who accidentally extinguished his candle.
‘I am a cloud,’ answered the winged genius.
‘A cloud! Just the thing. Now do me a shrewd turn, and Cupid is ever your debtor153. Fly, fly, pretty cloud, and encompass154 yon pavilion with your form. Away! ask no questions; swift as my word.’
‘I declare there is a fog,’ said Venus.
‘An evening mist in Heaven!’ said Minerva.
‘Where is Nox?’ said Jove. ‘Everything goes wrong. Who ever heard of a mist in Heaven?’
‘My candle is out,’ said Apollo.
‘And mine, too,’ said Mars.
‘And mine, and mine, and mine,’ said Mercury and Ganymede, and the Muses and the Graces.
‘All the candles are out!’ said Cupid; ‘a regular fog. I cannot even see the pavilion: it must be hereabouts, though,’ said the God to himself. ‘So, so; I should be at home in my own pavilion, and am tolerably accustomed to stealing about in the dark. There is a step; and here, surely, is the lock. The door opens, but the cloud enters before me. Juno, Juno,’ whispered the God of Love, ‘we are all here. Be contented155 to escape, like many other innocent dames156, with your reputation only under a cloud: it will soon disperse157; and lo! the heaven is clearing.’
‘It must have been the heat of our flambeaux,’ said Venus; ‘for see, the mist is vanished; here is the pavilion.’
Ganymede ran forward, and dashed open the door. Ixion was alone.
‘Seize him!’ said Jove.
‘Juno is not here,’ said Mercury, with an air of blended congratulation and disappointment.
‘Never mind,’ said Jove; ‘seize him! He kept me waiting for dinner.’
‘Is this your hospitality, ??giochus?’ exclaimed Ixion, in a tone of bullying158 innocence159. ‘I shall defend myself.’
‘Seize him, seize him!’ exclaimed Jupiter. ‘What! do you all falter160? Are you afraid of a mortal?’
‘And a Thessalian?’ added Ganymede.
No one advanced.
‘Send for Hercules,’ said Jove.
‘I will fetch him in an instant,’ said Ganymede.
‘The marriage tie?’ said Mercury.
‘The dinner-hour?’ said Jove.
‘It is no use talking sentiment to Ixion,’ said Venus; ‘all mortals are callous.’
‘Adventures are to the adventurous,’ said Minerva.
‘Here is Hercules! here is Hercules!’
‘Seize him!’ said Jove; ‘seize that man.’
In vain the mortal struggled with the irresistible demigod.
‘Shall I fetch your thunderbolt, Jove?’ inquired Ganymede.
‘Anything short of eternal punishment is unworthy of a God,’ answered Jupiter, with great dignity. ‘Apollo, bring me a wheel of your chariot.’
‘What shall I do to-morrow morning?’ inquired the God of Light.
‘Order an eclipse,’ replied Jove. ‘Bind162 the insolent163 wretch4 to the wheel; hurl164 him to Hades; its motion shall be perpetual.’
‘What am I to bind him with?’ inquired Hercules.
‘The girdle of Venus,’ replied the Thunderer.
‘Come along; you shall see,’ answered Jupiter. ‘Follow me, follow me.’
They all followed the leader, all the Gods, all the genii; in the midst, the brawny166 husband of Hebe bearing Ixion aloft, bound to the fatal wheel. They reached the terrace; they descended167 the sparkling steps of lapis-lazuli. Hercules held his burthen on high, ready, at a nod, to plunge168 the hapless but presumptuous169 mortal through space into Hades. The heavenly group surrounded him, and peeped over the starry abyss. It was a fine moral, and demonstrated the usual infelicity that attends unequal connection.
‘Celestial despot!’ said Ixion.
In a moment all sounds were hushed, as they listened to the last words of the unrivalled victim. Juno, in despair, leant upon the respective arms of Venus and Minerva.
‘Celestial despot!’ said Ixion, ‘I defy the immortal ingenuity170 of thy cruelty. My memory must be as eternal as thy torture: that will support me.’
The End
The End
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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cedar
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| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
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slippers
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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immortals
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| 不朽的人物( immortal的名词复数 )； 永生不朽者 | |
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immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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aspiring
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| adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求 | |
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goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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14
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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15
scrawl
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| vt.潦草地书写；n.潦草的笔记，涂写 | |
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16
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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17
satire
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| n.讽刺，讽刺文学，讽刺作品 | |
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18
allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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19
deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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20
ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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21
amethyst
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| n.紫水晶 | |
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22
dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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23
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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24
laudatory
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| adj.赞扬的 | |
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25
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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26
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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27
harp
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| n.竖琴；天琴座 | |
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28
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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29
owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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30
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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31
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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32
amendment
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| n.改正，修正，改善，修正案 | |
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33
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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34
enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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35
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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36
piques
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的第三人称单数 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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37
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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38
droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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39
distraction
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| n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐 | |
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40
emancipated
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| adj.被解放的，不受约束的v.解放某人（尤指摆脱政治、法律或社会的束缚）( emancipate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
fetters
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| n.脚镣( fetter的名词复数 )；束缚v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的第三人称单数 ) | |
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42
toiling
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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43
inundated
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| v.淹没( inundate的过去式和过去分词 )；（洪水般地）涌来；充满；给予或交予（太多事物）使难以应付 | |
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44
invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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45
valetudinarian
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| n.病人；健康不佳者 | |
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46
influx
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| n.流入，注入 | |
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47
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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48
compensates
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| 补偿，报酬( compensate的第三人称单数 )； 给（某人）赔偿（或赔款） | |
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49
honeymoon
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| n.蜜月（假期）；vi.度蜜月 | |
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50
knolls
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| n.小圆丘，小土墩( knoll的名词复数 ) | |
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51
bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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52
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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53
callous
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| adj.无情的，冷淡的，硬结的，起老茧的 | |
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54
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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55
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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56
inscribe
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| v.刻；雕；题写；牢记 | |
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57
stanza
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| n.（诗）节，段 | |
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58
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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59
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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60
oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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61
consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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62
adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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63
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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64
pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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65
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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66
divested
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| v.剥夺( divest的过去式和过去分词 )；脱去（衣服）；2。从…取去…；1。（给某人）脱衣服 | |
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67
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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68
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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69
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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70
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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71
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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72
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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73
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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74
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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75
owls
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| n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 ) | |
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76
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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77
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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78
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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79
cedars
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| 雪松，西洋杉( cedar的名词复数 ) | |
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80
coeval
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| adj.同时代的；n.同时代的人或事物 | |
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81
exhaling
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| v.呼出，发散出( exhale的现在分词 )；吐出（肺中的空气、烟等），呼气 | |
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82
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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83
aromatic
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| adj.芳香的，有香味的 | |
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84
glades
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| n.林中空地( glade的名词复数 ) | |
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85
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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86
complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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87
meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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88
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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89
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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90
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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91
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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92
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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93
tinted
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| adj. 带色彩的 动词tint的过去式和过去分词 | |
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94
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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95
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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96
pouting
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| v.撅（嘴）( pout的现在分词 ) | |
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97
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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98
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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99
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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100
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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101
streaks
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| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
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102
azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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103
glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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104
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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105
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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106
frailty
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| n.脆弱；意志薄弱 | |
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107
obdurate
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| adj.固执的，顽固的 | |
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108
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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109
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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110
incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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111
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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112
deity
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| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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113
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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114
flirtation
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| n.调情，调戏，挑逗 | |
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116
platonic
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| adj.精神的；柏拉图（哲学）的 | |
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117
muse
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| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
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118
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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119
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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120
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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121
confiding
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| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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122
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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123
votary
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| n.崇拜者；爱好者；adj.誓约的，立誓任圣职的 | |
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124
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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125
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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126
throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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127
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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128
amethystine
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| adj.紫水晶质的，紫色的；紫晶 | |
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129
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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130
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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131
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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132
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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133
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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134
condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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135
negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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136
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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137
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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138
compensated
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| 补偿，报酬( compensate的过去式和过去分词 )； 给（某人）赔偿（或赔款） | |
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139
deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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140
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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141
inflame
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| v.使燃烧；使极度激动；使发炎 | |
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142
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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143
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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144
sham
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| n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的) | |
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145
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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146
outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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147
envoys
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| 使节( envoy的名词复数 )； 公使； 谈判代表； 使节身份 | |
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148
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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149
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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150
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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151
muses
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的第三人称单数 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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152
starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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153
debtor
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| n.借方，债务人 | |
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154
encompass
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| vt.围绕，包围；包含，包括；完成 | |
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155
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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156
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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157
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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158
bullying
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| v.恐吓，威逼( bully的现在分词 )；豪；跋扈 | |
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159
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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160
falter
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| vi.(嗓音)颤抖，结巴地说；犹豫；蹒跚 | |
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161
violation
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| n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯 | |
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162
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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163
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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164
hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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165
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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166
brawny
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| adj.强壮的 | |
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167
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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168
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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169
presumptuous
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| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
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170
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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