en wand,
to win over Hades with soft words, and persuade him to bring up holy
Persephone into the light, and among the Gods, from forth the murky
gloom, that so her mother might behold her, and that her anger might
relent. And Hermes disobeyed not, but straightway and speedily went
forth beneath the hollow places of the earth, leaving the home of
Olympus. That King he found within his dwelling, sitting on a couch with
his chaste bedfellow, who sorely grieved for desire of her mother, that
still was cherishing a fell design against the ill deeds of the Gods.
Then the strong slayer of Argos drew near and spoke: "Hades of the dark
locks, thou Prince of men out-worn, Father Zeus bade me bring the dread
Persephone forth from Erebus among the Gods, that her mother may behold
her, and relent from her anger and terrible wrath against the Immortals,
for now she contrives a mighty deed, to destroy the feeble tribes of
earth-born men by withholding the seed under the earth. Thereby the
honours of the Gods are minished, and fierce is her wrath, nor mingles
she with the Gods, but sits apart within the fragrant temple in the steep
citadel of Eleusis."

So spake he, and smiling were the brows of Aidoneus, Prince of the dead,
nor did he disobey the commands of King Zeus, as speedily he bade the
wise Persephone: "Go, Persephone, to thy dark-mantled mother, go with a
gentle spirit in thy breast, nor be thou beyond all other folk
disconsolate. Verily I shall be no unseemly lord of thine among the
Immortals, I that am the brother of Father Zeus, and whilst thou art here
shalt thou be mistress over all that lives and moves, but among the
Immortals shalt thou have the greatest renown. Upon them that wrong thee
shall vengeance be unceasing, upon them that solicit not thy power with
sacrifice, and pious deeds, and every acceptable gift."

So spake he, and wise Persephone was glad; and joyously and swiftly she
arose, but the God himself, stealthily looking around her, gave her sweet
pomegranate seed to eat, and this he did that she might not abide for
ever beside revered Demeter of the dark mantle. {204} Then openly did
Aidoneus, the Prince of all, get ready the steeds beneath the golden
chariot, and she climbed up into the golden chariot, and beside her the
strong Slayer of Argos took reins and whip in hand, and drove forth from
the halls, and gladly sped the horses twain. Speedily they devoured the
long way; nor sea, nor rivers, nor g