【英文读物】The Infernal Marriage

1、【英文读物】The Infernal MarriagePART I. A Sublime Elopement IT WAS clearly a runaway matchnever indeed was such a sublime elopement. The four horses were coal-black, with blood-red manes and tails; and they were shod with rubies. They were harnessed to a basaltic car by a single rein of flame. Waving his double-pronged trident in the air, the god struck the blue breast of Cyane, and the waters instantly parted. In rushed the wild chariot, the pale and insensible Proserpine clinging to the breast of h

2、er grim lover.Through the depths of the hitherto unfathomed lake the infernal steeds held their breathless course. The car jolted against its bed. Save me! exclaimed the future Queen of Hades, and she clung with renewed energy to the bosom of the dark bridegroom. The earth opened; they entered the kingdom of the gnomes. Here Pluto was popular. The lurid populace gave him a loud shout. The chariot whirled along through shadowy cities and by dim highways, swarming with a busy race of shades.Ye flo

3、wery 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.Alas! exclaim

4、ed Proserpine, is not this night?You are not unhappy, my Proserpine?Beloved of my heart, I have given up everything for you! I do not repent, but I am thinking of my mother.Time will pacify the Lady Ceres. What is done cannot be undone. 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

5、 domestic circle. I can assure you that everything is so well ordered among us that I have no recollection of a domestic broil.But marriage is such a revolution in a bachelors 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 accompl

6、ished, and favourites among the men.Indeed!Oh! quite irresistible.My heart misgives me. I wish you had at least paid them the compliment of apprising them of our marriage.Cheer up. For myself, I have none but pleasant anticipations. 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 t

7、aking a fancy to Proserpine?Ah! my Pluto, you are in love.Is this Hades? inquired Proserpine.An avenue of colossal bulls, sculptured in basalt and breathing living flame, led to gates of brass, adorned with friezes of rubies, representing the wars and discomfiture of the Titans. A crimson cloud concealed the height of the immense portals, and on either side hovered oer the extending walls of the city; a watch-tower or a battlement occasionally flashing forth, and forcing their forms through the

8、lurid obscurity.Queen of Hades! welcome to your capital! exclaimed Pluto.The monarch rose in his car and whirled a javelin at the gates. There was an awful clang, and then a still more terrible growl.My faithful Cerberus! exclaimed the King.The portals flew open, and revealed the gigantic form of the celebrated watch-dog of Hell. It completely filled their wide expanse. Who but Pluto could have viewed without horror that enormous body covered with shaggy spikes, those frightful paws clothed with

9、 claws of steel, that tail like a boa constrictor, those fiery 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 gambolled 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 astonishment.The hideous brute!My dear! exclaimed Pluto.He shall never touch me.Proserpine!Dont touch me with that hand. You never shall touch me, if you allow that disgusting ani

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