And a greater than he shall hurl him down from his throne. Down, down from his throne ! For the god who shall rule mankind from the deathless skies By mercy and truth shall be known, In love and peace shall arise. For him, if again I hear him thunder above, O then, if I crouch or start, I will press thy lovingkindness more to my heart, Remember the words of thy mouth rare and precious, 1510 Thy heart of hearts and gifts of divine love. The scene is in the flowery valley below Enna. Hades prologizes, and tells how he has come with consent of Zeus to carry off Persephone to be his queen. The Chorus of Ocean nymphs entering praise Sicily and the spring. Persephone enters with Athena and Artemis to gather flowers for the festival of Zeus. Persephone being left alone is carried off by Hades. In the second act, which is ten days later, the Chorus deplore the loss of Persephone. Demeter entering upbraids them in a choric scene and describes her search for Persephone until she learnt her fate from Helios. Afterwards she describes her plan for compelling Zeus to restore her. Hermes brings from Zeus a command to Demeter that she shall return to Olympus. She sends defiance to Zeus, and the Chorus end the scene by vowing to win Poseidon to aid Demeter. In the third act, which is a year later, the Chorus, who have been summoned by Demeter to witness the restoration of Persephone, lament Demeter's anger. Demeter narrates the Eleusinian episode of her wanderings, until Hermes enters leading Persephone. After their greeting Demeter hears from Hermes the terms of Persephone's restoration; she is reconciled thereto by Persephone, and invites her to Eleusis. The Chorus sing and crown Persephone with flowers. DEMETER HADES. I AM the King of Hell, nor prone to vex Nor blamed our mighty Sisters, that not one And year by year were multiply'd on earth Yea, since man's mind was one with my desire That Hell should have a queen,-for heav'n hath queens Many, nor on all earth reigns any king In unkind isolation like to me, I claimed from Zeus that of the fair immortals Willing he was, and quick to praise my rule, Take whom thou wilt; 10 20 But by triumphant force persuade, as erst I conquer'd heav'n.' Said I 'My heart is set: Dost thou consent?' Whereto he gave his nod. To rob her from the earth. "Tis here she wanders I spy her, I can snatch her swiftly down; And after shall find favour for my fault, When I by gentle means have won her love. I hear their music now. Hither they come : I'll to my ambush in the rocky cave. 30 40 50 [Exit. |