The Infernal Marriage | Page 7

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
undoubtedly a right to exercise,' said Lachesis. 'What degree of
discretion 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 holders. As a last favour, in

addition to the many we are proud to remember we have received from
your Majesty, we entreat 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 inflicting death.'
'Of what use are all your laws,' exclaimed Proserpine, 'if they are only
to perplex us? As there are no statutes to guide us, it is obvious that the
King's will is supreme. 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! Nay; 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. Concession is ever
fatal, however slight. Grant this demand; others, and greater, will
quickly follow. Mercy becomes a precedent, 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 expediency.'
'Never!' said the Fates.
'Never!' shrieked the Furies.
'What, then, will you do with Orpheus?'
The Parcæ 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 incapable. 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 perplexed; 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 decided 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!


PART II.
A Visit to Elysium

LET us change the scene from Hades to Olympus.
A chariot drawn by dragons hovered over that superb palace whose
sparkling steps of lapislazuli were once pressed by the daring foot of
Ixion. It descended into the beautiful gardens, and Ceres, stepping out,
sought