but the poison-swoon, which precedes death, if it be
not arrested.

MAIA.

How rejoiced I am!

PERSEPHONE.

One would say your joy had disappointed you.

MAIA.

No, indeed, for I am attached to Cydippe, but oh! Persephone, it
is strange to be at the very threshold of the mystery----

PERSEPHONE.

And to have the opening door shut in our faces? Perhaps ... next
time ... they may not be able to find Aesculapius.

IX

[_The terrace, as in the first scene_; ZEUS _enters from the house,
conducted by_ HEBE _and several of the lesser divinities_.]

HEBE.

Will your Majesty be pleased to descend to the lower boskage?

ZEUS.

No! Place my throne here, out of the wind, in the sun, which seems
to have very little fire left in it, but some pleasant light still.
The sea down there is bright again to-day; the carrying of our
unfortunate person upon its surface was probably the source of
immense alarm to it. It quaked and blackened continuously. Now we
are removed, it regains something of its normal quiescence. I trust
that the land hereabouts is dowered with a less painful
susceptibility.

GANYMEDE.

A priest, sire, the only one who saved his musical instrument
through our calamities, stands within. Is your Majesty disposed to
be sung to?

ZEUS.

No, certainly not. Which is he? [_The_ PRIEST _is pointed out_.]
What an odd-looking person! Yes, he may give me a specimen of his
art--a short one.

[_The_ PRIEST _comes forward; he is dressed in wild Thessalian
raiment. He approaches with uncouth gestures, and a mixture
of servility and self-consciousness. On receiving a nod
from_ ZEUS, _he tunes his instrument and sings as follows_:]

_Wild swans winging
Through the blue,
Spiders springing
To a clue,
Till the sparkling drops renew
All that ever
Youth's endeavour
Had determined to undo.
White and blue are hoards of treasure,
For the panting hands of pleasure
To go dropping, dropping, dropping,
Without measure
Through and through._

ZEUS.

Very pretty, I must say. Would you repeat it again?

[PRIEST _repeats it again_.]

ZEUS.

What does it ... exactly _mean_? I think it quite pretty, you
understand.

PRIEST.

Does your Majesty receive any impression from it?

ZEUS.

Well, I don't know that I could precisely parse it. But it is very
pretty. Yes, I think I gain a certain impression