Through the depths of the hitherto unfathomed lake the infernal steeds held their breathless course. The car jolted5 against its bed. ‘Save me!’ exclaimed the future Queen of Hades, and she clung with renewed energy to the bosom6 of the dark bridegroom. The earth opened; they entered the kingdom of the gnomes7. Here Pluto8 was popular. The lurid9 populace gave him a loud shout. The chariot whirled along through shadowy cities and by dim highways, swarming10 with a busy race of shades.
‘Ye flowery meads of Enna!’ exclaimed the terrified Proserpine, ‘shall I never view you again? What an execrable climate!’
‘Here, however, in-door nature is charming,’ responded Pluto. ‘Tis a great nation of manufacturers. You are better, I hope, my Proserpine. The passage of the water is never very agreeable, especially to ladies.’
‘And which is our next stage?’ inquired Proserpine.
‘The centre of Earth,’ replied Pluto. ‘Travelling is so much improved that at this rate we shall reach Hades before night.’
‘You are not unhappy, my Proserpine?’
‘Beloved of my heart, I have given up everything for you! I do not repent12, but I am thinking of my mother.’
‘Time will pacify13 the Lady Ceres. What is done cannot be undone14. In the winter, when a residence among us is even desirable, I should not be surprised were she to pay us a visit.’
‘Her prejudices are so strong,’ murmured the bride. ‘Oh my Pluto! I hope your family will be kind to me.’
‘Who could be unkind to Proserpine? Ours is a very domestic circle. I can assure you that everything is so well ordered among us that I have no recollection of a domestic broil16.’
‘But marriage is such a revolution in a bachelor’s establishment,’ replied Proserpine, despondingly. ‘To tell the truth, too, I am half frightened at the thought of the Furies. I have heard that their tempers are so violent.’
‘They mean well; their feelings are strong, but their hearts are in the right place. I flatter myself you will like my nieces, the Parc?. They are accomplished17, and favourites among the men.’
‘Indeed!’
‘Oh! quite irresistible18.’
‘My heart misgives19 me. I wish you had at least paid them the compliment of apprising20 them of our marriage.’
‘Cheer up. For myself, I have none but pleasant anticipations22. I long to be at home once more by my own fireside, and patting my faithful Cerberus.’
‘I think I shall like Cerberus; I am fond of dogs.’
‘I am sure you will. He is the most faithful creature in the world.’
‘Is he very fierce?’
‘Not if he takes a fancy to you; and who can help taking a fancy to Proserpine?’
‘Ah! my Pluto, you are in love.’
‘Is this Hades?’ inquired Proserpine.
An avenue of colossal23 bulls, sculptured in basalt and breathing living flame, led to gates of brass24, adorned25 with friezes26 of rubies, representing the wars and discomfiture27 of the Titans. A crimson28 cloud concealed29 the height of the immense portals, and on either side hovered30 o’er the extending walls of the city; a watch-tower or a battlement occasionally flashing forth31, and forcing their forms through the lurid obscurity.
‘Queen of Hades! welcome to your capital!’ exclaimed Pluto.
The monarch32 rose in his car and whirled a javelin33 at the gates. There was an awful clang, and then a still more terrible growl34.
‘My faithful Cerberus!’ exclaimed the King.
The portals flew open, and revealed the gigantic form of the celebrated35 watch-dog of Hell. It completely filled their wide expanse. Who but Pluto could have viewed without horror that enormous body covered with shaggy spikes36, those frightful37 paws clothed with claws of steel, that tail like a boa constrictor, those fiery38 eyes that blazed like the blood-red lamps in a pharos, and those three forky tongues, round each of which were entwined a vigorous family of green rattlesnakes!
‘Ah! Cerby! Cerby!’ exclaimed Pluto; ‘my fond and faithful Cerby!’
Proserpine screamed as the animal gambolled39 up to the side of the chariot and held out its paw to its master. Then, licking the royal palm with its three tongues at once, it renewed its station with a wag of its tail which raised such a cloud of dust that for a few minutes nothing was perceptible.
‘The monster!’ exclaimed Proserpine.
‘My love!’ exclaimed Pluto, with astonishment40.
‘My dear!’ exclaimed Pluto.
‘He shall never touch me.’
‘Proserpine!’
‘Don’t touch me with that hand. You never shall touch me, if you allow that disgusting animal to lick your hand.’
‘I beg to inform you that there are few beings of any kind for whom I have a greater esteem43 than that faithful and affectionate beast.’
‘Oh! if you like Cerberus better than me, I have no more to say,’ exclaimed the bride, bridling44 up with indignation.
‘My Proserpine is perverse,’ replied Pluto; ‘her memory has scarcely done me justice.’
‘I am sure you said you liked Cerberus better than anything in the world,’ continued the goddess, with a voice trembling with passion.
‘I said no such thing,’ replied Pluto, somewhat sternly.
‘My beloved!’
‘I never expected this.’
‘My child!’
‘Was it for this I left my mother?’
‘Powers of Hades! How you can say such things!’
‘Broke her heart?’
‘Proserpine! Proserpine!’
‘Gave up daylight?’
‘For the sake of Heaven, then, calm yourself!’
‘Sacrificed everything?’
‘My love! my life! my angel! what is all this?’
‘And then to be abused for the sake of a dog!’
‘By all the shades of Hell, but this is enough to provoke even immortals47. What have I done, said, or thought, to justify48 such treatment?’
‘Oh! me!’
‘Proserpine!’
‘Heigho!’
‘Proserpine! Proserpine!’
‘Dearest, you must be unwell. This journey has been too much for you,’
‘On our very bridal day to be so treated!’
‘Soul of my existence, don’t make me mad. I love you, I adore you; I have no hope, no wish, no thought but you. I swear it; I swear it by my sceptre and my throne. Speak, speak to your Pluto: tell him all your wish, all your desire. What would you have me do?’
‘Ah! me!’
‘What, you will not? I thought how it would be. I am Proserpine, your beloved, adored Proserpine. You have no wish, no hope, no thought but for me! I have only to speak, and what I desire will be instantly done! And I do speak, I tell you my wish, I express to you my desire, and I am instantly refused! And what have I requested? Is it such a mighty52 favour? Is it anything unreasonable53? Is there, indeed, in my entreaty54 anything so vastly out of the way? The death of a dog, a disgusting animal, which has already shaken my nerves to pieces; and if ever (here she hid her face in his breast), if ever that event should occur which both must desire, my Pluto, I am sure the very sight of that horrible beast will—I dare not say what it will do.’
Pluto looked puzzled.
‘Indeed, my Proserpine, it is not in my power to grant your request; for Cerberus is immortal46, like ourselves.’
‘Some arrangement, however, may be made to keep him out of your sight and hearing. I can banish57 him.’
‘Can you, indeed? Oh! banish him, my Pluto! pray banish him! I never shall be happy until Cerberus is banished58.’
‘I will do anything you desire; but I confess to you I have some misgivings59. He is an invaluable60 watch-dog; and I fear, without his superintendence, the guardians61 of the gate will scarcely do their duty.’
‘Oh! yes: I am sure they will, my Pluto! I will ask them to, I will ask them myself, I will request them, as a particular and personal favour to myself, to be very careful indeed. And if they do their duty, and I am sure they will, they shall be styled, as a reward, “Proserpine’s Own Guards.”’
‘A reward, indeed!’ said the enamoured monarch, as, with a sigh, he signed the order for the banishment62 of Cerberus in the form of his promotion63 to the office of Master of the royal and imperial bloodhounds.
The burning waves of Phlegethon assumed a lighter64 hue65. It was morning. It was the morning after the arrival of Pluto and his unexpected bride. In one of the principal rooms of the palace three beautiful females, clothed in cerulean robes spangled with stars, and their heads adorned with golden crowns, were at work together. One held a distaff, from which the second spun66; and the third wielded67 an enormous pair of adamantine shears68, with which she perpetually severed69 the labours of her sisters. Tall were they in stature70 and beautiful in form. Very fair; an expression of haughty71 serenity72 pervaded73 their majestic74 countenances76. Their three companions, however, though apparently77 of the same sex, were of a different character. If women can ever be ugly, certainly these three ladies might put in a valid78 claim to that epithet79. Their complexions80 were dark and withered81, and their eyes, though bright, were bloodshot. Scantily82 clothed in black garments, not unstained with gore83, their wan84 and offensive forms were but slightly veiled. Their hands were talons85; their feet cloven; and serpents were wreathed round their brows instead of hair. Their restless and agitated86 carriage afforded also not less striking contrast to the polished and aristocratic demeanour of their companions. They paced the chamber87 with hurried and unequal steps, and wild and uncouth88 gestures; waving, with a reckless ferocity, burning torches and whips of scorpions89. It is hardly necessary to add that these were the Furies, and that the conversation which I am about to report was carried on with the Fates.
‘Eternal torture!’ moaned Alecto. ‘‘Tis a lie.’
‘Not Jupiter himself should convince us!’ the Furies joined in infernal chorus.
‘‘Tis nevertheless true,’ calmly observed the beautiful Clotho.
‘And whatever we may feel,’ observed the considerate Atropos, ‘I think, my dear girls, you had better restrain yourselves.’
‘I have heard that she is lovely,’ answered Clotho. ‘Indeed, it is impossible to account for the affair in any other way.’
‘‘Tis neither possible to account for nor to justify it,’ squeaked Meg?ra.
‘Is there, indeed, a Queen in Hell?’ moaned Alecto.
‘We shall hold no more drawing-rooms,’ said Lachesis.
‘We will never attend hers,’ said the Furies.
‘You must,’ replied the Fates.
‘I have no doubt she will give herself airs,’ shrieked Tisiphone.
‘We must remember where she has been brought up, and be considerate,’ replied Lachesis.
‘I dare say you three will get on very well with her,’ squeaked Megasra. ‘You always get on well with people.’
‘We must remember how very strange things here must appear to her,’ observed Atropos.
‘No one can deny that there are some very disagreeable sights,’ said Clotho.
‘There is something in that,’ replied Tisiphone, looking in the glass, and arranging her serpents; ‘and for my part, poor girl, I almost pity her, when I think she will have to visit the Harpies.’
At this moment four little pages entered the room, who, without exception, were the most hideous dwarfs94 that ever attended upon a monarch. They were clothed only in parti-coloured tunics95, and their breasts and legs were quite bare. From the countenance75 of the first you would have supposed he was in a convulsion; his hands were clenched96 and his hair stood on end: this was Terror! The protruded97 veins98 of the second seemed ready to burst, and his rubicund99 visage decidedly proved that he had blood in his head; this was Rage! The third was of an ashen101 colour throughout: this was Paleness! And the fourth, with a countenance not without traces of beauty, was even more disgusting than his companions from the quantity of horrible flies, centipedes, snails102, and other noisome103, slimy, and indescribable monstrosities that were crawling all about his body and feeding on his decaying features. The name of this fourth page was Death!
‘The King and Queen!’ announced the pages.
Pluto, during the night, had prepared Proserpine for the worst, and had endeavoured to persuade her that his love would ever compensate104 for all annoyances105. She was in excellent spirits and in very good humour; therefore, though she could with difficulty stifle106 a scream when she recognised the Furies, she received the congratulations of the Parc? with much cordiality.
‘I have the pleasure, Proserpine, of presenting you to my family,’ said Pluto.
‘Who, I am sure, hope to make Hades agreeable to your Majesty107,’ rejoined Clotho. The Furies uttered a suppressed sound between a murmur15 and a growl.
‘I have ordered the chariot,’ said Pluto. ‘I propose to take the Queen a ride, and show her some of our lions.’
‘She will, I am sure, be delighted,’ said Lachesis.
‘I long to see Ixion,’ said Proserpine.
‘I cannot help thinking that he has been very unfairly treated,’ said Proserpine.
‘What!’ squeaked Meg?ra. ‘The ravisher!’
‘Ay! it is all very well,’ replied Proserpine; ‘but, for my part, if we knew the truth of that affair——-’
‘Is it possible that your Majesty can speak in such a tone of levity109 of such an offender110?’ shrieked Tisiphone.
‘Is it possible?’ moaned Alecto.
‘Ah! you have heard only one side of the question; but for my part, knowing as much of Juno as I do——-’
‘The Queen of Heaven!’ observed Atropos, with an intimidating111 glance.
‘The Queen of Fiddlestick!’ said Proserpine; ‘as great a flirt112 as ever existed, with all her prudish113 looks.’
The Fates and the Furies exchanged glances of astonishment and horror.
‘For my part,’ continued Proserpine, ‘I make it a rule to support the weaker side, and nothing will ever persuade me that Ixion is not a victim, and a pitiable one.’
‘Well! men generally have the best of it in these affairs,’ said Lachesis, with a forced smile.
‘Juno ought to be ashamed of herself,’ said Proserpine. ‘Had I been in her situation, they should have tied me to a wheel first. At any rate, they ought to have punished him in Heaven. I have no idea of those people sending every mauvais sujet to Hell.’
‘But what shall we do?’ inquired Pluto, who wished to turn the conversation.
‘Shall we turn out a sinner and hunt him for her Majesty’s diversion?’ suggested Tisiphone, flanking her serpents.
‘Nothing of the kind will ever divert me,’ said Proserpine; ‘for I have no hesitation114 in saying that I do not at all approve of these eternal punishments, or, indeed, of any punishment whatever.’
‘The heretic!’ whispered Tisiphone to Meg?ra. Alecto moaned.
‘It might be more interesting to her Majesty,’ said Atropos, ‘to witness some of those extraordinary instances of predestined misery115 with which Hades abounds116. Shall we visit OEdipus?’
‘Poor fellow!’ exclaimed Proserpine. ‘For myself, I willingly confess that torture disgusts and Destiny puzzles me.’
The Fates and the Furies all alike started.
‘I do not understand this riddle117 of Destiny,’ continued the young Queen. ‘If you, Parc?, have predestined that a man should commit a crime, it appears to me very unjust that you should afterwards call upon the Furies to punish him for its commission.’
‘But man is a free agent,’ observed Lachesis, in as mild a tone as she could command.
‘Then what becomes of Destiny?’ replied Proserpine.
‘Destiny is eternal and irresistible,’ replied Clotho. ‘All is ordained118; but man is, nevertheless, master of his own actions.’
‘I do not understand that,’ said Proserpine.
‘It is not meant to be understood,’ said Atropos; ‘but you must nevertheless believe it.’
‘I make it a rule only to believe what I understand,’ replied Proserpine.
‘It appears,’ said Lachesis, with a blended glance of contempt and vengeance119, ‘that your Majesty, though a goddess, is an atheist120.’
‘As for that, anybody may call me just what they please, provided they do nothing else. So long as I am not tied to a wheel or whipped with scorpions for speaking my mind, I shall be as tolerant of the speech and acts of others as I expect them to be tolerant of mine. Come, Pluto, I am sure that the chariot must be ready!’
So saying, her Majesty took the arm of her spouse121, and with a haughty curtsey left the apartment.
‘Did you ever!’ shrieked Tisiphone, as the door closed.
‘No! never!’ squeaked Megaera.
‘Never! never!’ moaned Alecto.
‘She must understand what she believes, must she?’ said Lachesis, scarcely less irritated.
‘I never heard such nonsense,’ said Clotho.
‘What next!’ said Atropos.
‘Disgusted with torture!’ exclaimed the Furies.
‘Puzzled with Destiny!’ said the Fates.
It was the third morning after the Infernal Marriage; the slumbering122 Proserpine reposed123 in the arms of the snoring Pluto. There was a loud knocking at the chamber-door. Pluto jumped up in the middle of a dream.
‘My life, what is the matter?’ exclaimed Proserpine.
The knocking was repeated and increased. There was also a loud shout of ‘treason, murder, and fire!’
‘What is the matter?’ exclaimed the god, jumping out of bed and seizing his trident. ‘Who is there?’
‘Your pages, your faithful pages! Treason! treason! For the sake of Hell, open the door. Murder, fire, treason!’
‘Enter!’ said Pluto, as the door was unlocked.
And Terror and Rage entered.
‘You frightful things, get out of the room!’ cried Proserpine.
‘A moment, my angel!’ said Pluto, ‘a single moment. Be not alarmed, my best love; I pray you be not alarmed. Well, imps124, why am I disturbed?’
‘Oh!’ said Terror. Rage could not speak, but gnashed his teeth and stamped his feet.
‘O-o-o-h!’ repeated Terror.
‘A man! a man!’ cried Terror. ‘Treason, treason! a man! a man!’
‘What man?’ said Pluto, in a rage.
‘A man, a live man, has entered Hell!’
‘You don’t say so?’ said Proserpine; ‘a man, a live man. Let me see him immediately.’
‘Where is he?’ said Pluto; ‘what is he doing?’
‘He is here, there, and everywhere! asking for your wife, and singing like anything.’
‘Proserpine!’ said Pluto, reproachfully; but, to do the god justice, he was more astounded126 than jealous.
‘I am sure I shall be delighted to see him; it is so long since I have seen a live man,’ said Proserpine. ‘Who can he be? A man, and a live man! How delightful127! It must be a messenger from my mother.’
‘But how came he here?’
‘Ah! how came he here?’ echoed Terror.
‘No time must be lost!’ exclaimed Pluto, scrambling128 on his robe. ‘Seize him, and bring him into the council chamber. My charming Proserpine, excuse me for a moment.’
‘Not at all; I will accompany you.’
‘But, my love, my sweetest, my own, this is business; these are affairs of state. The council chamber is not a place for you.’
‘And why not?’ said Proserpine. ‘I have no idea of ever leaving you for a moment. Why not for me as well as for the Fates and the Furies? Am I not Queen? I have no idea of such nonsense!’
‘My love!’ said the deprecating husband.
‘You don’t go without me,’ said the imperious wife, seizing his robe.
‘I must,’ said Pluto.
‘Then you shall never return,’ said Proserpine.
‘Enchantress! be reasonable.’
‘I never was, and I never will be,’ replied the Goddess.
‘Treason! treason!’ screamed Terror.
‘My love, I must go!’
‘Pluto,’ said Proserpine, ‘understand me once for all, I will not be contradicted.’
Rage stamped his foot.
‘Proserpine, understand me once for all, it is impossible,’ said the God, frowning.
‘My Pluto!’ said the Queen. ‘Is it my Pluto who speaks thus sternly to me? Is it he who, but an hour ago, a short hour ago, died upon my bosom in transports and stifled129 me with kisses! Unhappy woman! wretched, miserable Proserpine! Oh! my mother! my kind, my affectionate mother! Have I disobeyed you for this! For this have I deserted130 you! For this have I broken your beloved heart!’ She buried her face in the crimson counterpane, and bedewed its gorgeous embroidery131 with her fast-flowing tears.
‘Treason!’ shouted Terror.
‘Ha! ha! ha!’ exclaimed the hysterical132 Proserpine.
‘What am I to do?’ cried Pluto. ‘Proserpine, my adored, my beloved, my enchanting133 Proserpine, compose yourself; for my sake, compose yourself. I love you! I adore you! You know it! oh! indeed you know it!’
The hysterics increased.
‘Treason! treason!’ shouted Terror.
‘Hold your infernal tongue,’ said Pluto. ‘What do I care for treason when the Queen is in this state?’ He knelt by the bedside, and tried to stop her mouth with kisses, and ever and anon whispered his passion. ‘My Proserpine, I beseech134 you to be calm; I will do anything you like. Come, come, then, to the council!’
The hysterics ceased; the Queen clasped him in her arms and rewarded him with a thousand embraces. Then, jumping up, she bathed her swollen135 eyes with a beautiful cosmetic136 that she and her maidens137 had distilled138 from the flowers of Enna; and, wrapping herself up in her shawl, descended139 with his Majesty, who was quite as much puzzled about the cause of this disturbance140 as when he was first roused.
Crossing an immense covered bridge, the origin of the Bridge of Sighs at Venice, over the royal gardens, which consisted entirely141 of cypress142, the royal pair, preceded by the pages-in-waiting, entered the council chamber. The council was already assembled. On either side of a throne of sulphur, from which issued the four infernal rivers of Lethe, Phlegethon, Cocytus, and Acheron, were ranged the Eumenides and Parc?. Lachesis and her sisters turned up their noses when they observed Proserpine; but the Eumenides could not stifle their fury, in spite of the hints of their more subdued143 but not less malignant144 companions.
‘What is all this?’ inquired Pluto.
‘The constitution is in danger,’ said the Parc? in chorus.
‘Both in church and state,’ added the Furies. ‘‘Tis a case of treason and blasphemy;’ and they waved their torches and shook their whips with delighted anticipation21 of their use.
‘Detail the circumstances,’ said Pluto, waving his hand majestically145 to Lachesis, in whose good sense he had great confidence.
‘A man, a living man, has entered your kingdom, unknown and unnoticed,’ said Lachesis.
‘By my sceptre, is it true?’ said the astonished King. ‘Is he seized?’
‘The extraordinary mortal baffles our efforts,’ said Lachesis. ‘He bears with him a lyre, the charmed gift of Apollo, and so seducing146 are his strains that in vain our guards advance to arrest his course; they immediately begin dancing, and he easily eludes147 their efforts. The general confusion is indescribable. All business is at a standstill: Ixion rests upon his wheel; old Sisyphus sits down on his mountain, and his stone has fallen with a terrible plash into Acheron. In short, unless we are energetic, we are on the eve of a revolution.’
‘His purpose?’
‘Immediately announce that we will receive him.’
The unexpected guest was not slow in acknowledging the royal summons. A hasty treaty was drawn50 up; he was to enter the palace unmolested, on condition that he ceased playing his lyre. The Fates and the Furies exchanged significant glances as his approach was announced.
The man, the live man, who had committed the unprecedented149 crime of entering Hell without a licence, and the previous deposit of his soul as security for the good behaviour of his body, stood before the surprised and indignant Court of Hades. Tall and graceful151 in stature, and crowned with laurels152, Proserpine was glad to observe that the man, who was evidently famous, was also good-looking.
‘Thy purpose, mortal?’ inquired Pluto, with awful majesty.
‘Mercy!’ answered the stranger in a voice of exquisite153 melody, and sufficiently154 embarrassed to render him interesting.
‘What is mercy?’ inquired the Fates and the Furies.
‘Speak, stranger, without fear,’ said Proserpine. ‘Thy name?’
‘Is Orpheus; but a few days back the too happy husband of the enchanting Eurydice. Alas! dread155 King, and thou too, beautiful and benignant partner of his throne, I won her by my lyre, and by my lyre I would redeem156 her. Know, then, that in the very glow of our gratified passion a serpent crept under the flowers on which we reposed, and by a fatal sting summoned my adored to the shades. Why did it not also summon me? I will not say why should I not have been the victim in her stead; for I feel too keenly that the doom157 of Eurydice would not have been less forlorn, had she been the wretched being who had been spared to life. O King! they whispered on earth that thou too hadst yielded thy heart to the charms of love. Pluto, they whispered, is no longer stern: Pluto also feels the all-subduing influence of beauty. Dread monarch, by the self-same passion that rages in our breasts alike, I implore158 thy mercy. Thou hast risen from the couch of love, the arm of thy adored has pressed upon thy heart, her honied lips have clung with rapture159 to thine, still echo in thy ears all the enchanting phrases of her idolatry. Then, by the memory of these, by all the higher and ineffable160 joys to which these lead, King of Hades, spare me, oh! spare me, Eurydice!’
Proserpine threw her arms round the neck of her husband, and, hiding her face in his breast, wept.
‘Rash mortal, you demand that which is not in the power of Pluto to concede,’ said Lachesis.
‘I have heard much of treason since my entrance into Hades,’ replied Orpheus, ‘and this sounds like it.’
‘Mortal!’ exclaimed Clotho, with contempt.
‘Nor is it in your power to return, sir,’ said Tisiphone, shaking her whip.
‘We have accounts to settle with you,’ said Meg?ra.
‘Spare her, spare her,’ murmured Proserpine to her lover.
‘King of Hades!’ said Lachesis, with much dignity, ‘I hold a responsible office in your realm, and I claim the constitutional privilege of your attention. I protest against the undue161 influence of the Queen. She is a power unknown in our constitution, and an irresponsible agent that I will not recognise. Let her go back to the drawing-room, where all will bow to her.’
‘Hag!’ exclaimed Proserpine. ‘King of Hades, I, too, can appeal to you. Have I accepted your crown to be insulted by your subjects?’
‘A subject, may it please your Majesty, who has duties as strictly162 defined by our infernal constitution as those of your royal spouse; duties, too, which, let me tell you, madam, I and my order are resolved to perform.’
‘Gods of Olympus!’ cried Proserpine. ‘Is this to be a Queen?’
‘Before we proceed further in this discussion,’ said Lachesis, ‘I must move an inquiry163 into the conduct of his Excellency the Governor of the Gates. I move, then, that Cerberus be summoned.
Pluto started, and the blood rose to his dark cheek. ‘I have not yet had an opportunity of mentioning,’ said his Majesty, in a low tone, and with an air of considerable confusion, ‘that I have thought fit, as a reward for his past services, to promote Cerberus to the office of the Master of the Hounds. He therefore is no longer responsible.’
‘O-h!’ shrieked the Furies, as they elevated their hideous eyes.
‘The constitution has invested your Majesty with a power in the appointment of your Officers of State which your Majesty has undoubtedly164 a right to exercise,’ said Lachesis. ‘What degree of discretion165 it anticipated in the exercise, it is now unnecessary, and would be extremely disagreeable, to discuss. I shall not venture to inquire by what new influence your Majesty has been guided in the present instance. The consequence of your Majesty’s conduct is obvious, in the very difficult situation in which your realm is now placed. For myself and my colleagues, I have only to observe that we decline, under this crisis, any further responsibility; and the distaff and the shears are at your Majesty’s service the moment your Majesty may find convenient successors to the present holders166. As a last favour, in addition to the many we are proud to remember we have received from your Majesty, we entreat55 that we may be relieved from their burthen as quickly as possible.’ (Loud cheers from the Eumenides.)
‘We had better recall Cerberus,’ said Pluto, alarmed, ‘and send this mortal about his business.’
‘Not without Eurydice. Oh! not without Eurydice,’ said the Queen.
‘Silence, Proserpine!’ said Pluto.
‘May it please your Majesty,’ said Lachesis, ‘I am doubtful whether we have the power of expelling anyone from Hades. It is not less the law that a mortal cannot remain here; and it is too notorious for me to mention the fact that none here have the power of inflicting167 death.’
‘Of what use are all your laws,’ exclaimed Proserpine, ‘if they are only to perplex us? As there are no statutes168 to guide us, it is obvious that the King’s will is supreme169. Let Orpheus depart, then, with his bride.’
‘The latter suggestion is clearly illegal,’ said Lachesis.
‘Lachesis, and ye, her sisters,’ said Proserpine, ‘forget, I beseech you, any warm words that may have passed between us, and, as a personal favour to one who would willingly be your friend, release Eurydice. What! you shake your heads! Nay170; of what importance can be a single miserable shade, and one, too, summoned so cruelly before her time, in these thickly-peopled regions?’
‘‘Tis the principle,’ said Lachesis; ‘‘tis the principle. Concession171 is ever fatal, however slight. Grant this demand; others, and greater, will quickly follow. Mercy becomes a precedent150, and the realm is ruined.’
‘Ruined!’ echoed the Furies.
‘And I say preserved!’ exclaimed Proserpine with energy. ‘The State is in confusion, and you yourselves confess that you know not how to remedy it. Unable to suggest a course, follow mine. I am the advocate of mercy; I am the advocate of concession; and, as you despise all higher impulses, I meet you on your own grounds. I am their advocate for the sake of policy, of expediency172.’
‘Never!’ said the Fates.
‘Never!’ shrieked the Furies.
‘What, then, will you do with Orpheus?’
The Parc? shook their heads; even the Eumenides were silent.
‘Then you are unable to carry on the King’s government; for Orpheus must be disposed of; all agree to that. Pluto, reject these counsellors, at once insulting and incapable173. Give me the distaff and the fatal shears. At once form a new Cabinet; and let the release of Orpheus and Eurydice be the basis of their policy.’ She threw her arms round his neck and whispered in his ear.
Pluto was perplexed174; his confidence in the Parcae was shaken. A difficulty had occurred with which they could not cope. It was true the difficulty had been occasioned by a departure from their own exclusive and restrictive policy. It was clear that the gates of Hell ought never to have been opened to the stranger; but opened they had been. Forced to decide, he decided100 on the side of expediency, and signed a decree for the departure of Orpheus and Eurydice. The Parcas immediately resigned their posts, and the Furies walked off in a huff. Thus, on the third day of the Infernal Marriage, Pluto found that he had quarrelled with all his family, and that his ancient administration was broken up. The King was without a friend, and Hell was without a Government!
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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2
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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3
rubies
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| 红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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5
jolted
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| （使）摇动， （使）震惊( jolt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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7
gnomes
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| n.矮子( gnome的名词复数 )；侏儒；（尤指金融市场上搞投机的）银行家；守护神 | |
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8
Pluto
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| n.冥王星 | |
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9
lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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10
swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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11
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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12
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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13
pacify
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| vt.使(某人)平静(或息怒)；抚慰 | |
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14
undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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15
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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16
broil
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| v.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂；n.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂 | |
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17
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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18
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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19
misgives
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| v.使（某人的情绪、精神等）疑虑，担忧，害怕( misgive的第三人称单数 ) | |
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20
apprising
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的现在分词 )；评价 | |
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21
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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22
anticipations
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| 预期( anticipation的名词复数 )； 预测； （信托财产收益的）预支； 预期的事物 | |
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23
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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24
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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25
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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26
friezes
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| n.（柱顶过梁和挑檐间的）雕带，（墙顶的）饰带( frieze的名词复数 ) | |
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27
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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28
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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29
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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30
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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31
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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32
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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33
javelin
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| n.标枪，投枪 | |
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34
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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35
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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36
spikes
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| n.穗( spike的名词复数 )；跑鞋；（防滑）鞋钉；尖状物v.加烈酒于( spike的第三人称单数 )；偷偷地给某人的饮料加入（更多）酒精（ 或药物）；把尖状物钉入；打乱某人的计划 | |
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37
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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38
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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39
gambolled
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| v.蹦跳，跳跃，嬉戏( gambol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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41
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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42
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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43
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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44
bridling
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| 给…套龙头( bridle的现在分词 )； 控制； 昂首表示轻蔑（或怨忿等）； 动怒，生气 | |
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45
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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46
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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47
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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48
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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49
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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50
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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51
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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52
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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53
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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54
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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55
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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56
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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57
banish
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| vt.放逐，驱逐；消除，排除 | |
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58
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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60
invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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61
guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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62
banishment
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| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
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63
promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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64
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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65
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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66
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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67
wielded
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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68
shears
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| n.大剪刀 | |
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69
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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70
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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71
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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72
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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73
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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74
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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75
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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76
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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77
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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78
valid
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| adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的 | |
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79
epithet
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| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
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80
complexions
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| 肤色( complexion的名词复数 )； 面色； 局面； 性质 | |
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81
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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82
scantily
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| adv.缺乏地；不充足地；吝啬地；狭窄地 | |
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83
gore
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| n.凝血，血污；v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破；缝以补裆；顶 | |
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84
wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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85
talons
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| n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部 | |
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86
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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87
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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88
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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89
scorpions
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| n.蝎子( scorpion的名词复数 ) | |
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90
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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91
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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92
squeaked
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| v.短促地尖叫( squeak的过去式和过去分词 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
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93
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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94
dwarfs
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| n.侏儒，矮子（dwarf的复数形式）vt.（使）显得矮小（dwarf的第三人称单数形式） | |
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95
tunics
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| n.（动植物的）膜皮( tunic的名词复数 )；束腰宽松外衣；一套制服的短上衣；（天主教主教等穿的）短祭袍 | |
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96
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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97
protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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98
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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99
rubicund
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| adj.(脸色)红润的 | |
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100
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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101
ashen
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| adj.灰的 | |
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102
snails
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| n.蜗牛；迟钝的人；蜗牛( snail的名词复数 ) | |
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103
noisome
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| adj.有害的，可厌的 | |
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104
compensate
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| vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消 | |
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105
annoyances
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| n.恼怒( annoyance的名词复数 )；烦恼；打扰；使人烦恼的事 | |
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106
stifle
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| vt.使窒息；闷死；扼杀；抑止，阻止 | |
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107
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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108
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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109
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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110
offender
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| n.冒犯者，违反者，犯罪者 | |
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111
intimidating
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| vt.恐吓，威胁( intimidate的现在分词) | |
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112
flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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113
prudish
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| adj.装淑女样子的，装规矩的，过分规矩的；adv.过分拘谨地 | |
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114
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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115
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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116
abounds
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的第三人称单数 ) | |
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117
riddle
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| n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜 | |
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118
ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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119
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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120
atheist
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| n.无神论者 | |
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121
spouse
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| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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122
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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124
imps
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| n.（故事中的）小恶魔( imp的名词复数 )；小魔鬼；小淘气；顽童 | |
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enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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126
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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127
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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128
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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129
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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130
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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131
embroidery
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| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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132
hysterical
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| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
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133
enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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134
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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135
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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cosmetic
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| n.化妆品；adj.化妆用的；装门面的；装饰性的 | |
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137
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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138
distilled
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| adj.由蒸馏得来的v.蒸馏( distil的过去式和过去分词 )；从…提取精华 | |
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139
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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140
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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141
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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142
cypress
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| n.柏树 | |
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143
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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144
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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majestically
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| 雄伟地； 庄重地； 威严地； 崇高地 | |
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146
seducing
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| 诱奸( seduce的现在分词 )； 勾引； 诱使堕落； 使入迷 | |
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eludes
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| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的第三人称单数 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
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148
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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149
unprecedented
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| adj.无前例的，新奇的 | |
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150
precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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151
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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152
laurels
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| n.桂冠，荣誉 | |
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153
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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154
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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155
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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156
redeem
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| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
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157
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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158
implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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159
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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160
ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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161
undue
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| adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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163
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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164
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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165
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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166
holders
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| 支持物( holder的名词复数 )； 持有者； （支票等）持有人； 支托（或握持）…之物 | |
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167
inflicting
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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168
statutes
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| 成文法( statute的名词复数 )； 法令； 法规； 章程 | |
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169
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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170
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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171
concession
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| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
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172
expediency
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| n.适宜；方便；合算；利己 | |
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173
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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174
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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