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+ <head>
+ <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" />
+ <title>
+ Ixion in Heaven, by Benjamin Disraeli
+ </title>
+ <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve">
+
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ixion In Heaven, by Benjamin Disraeli
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Ixion In Heaven
+
+Author: Benjamin Disraeli
+
+Release Date: December 3, 2006 [EBook #20009]
+Last Updated: September 7, 2016
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IXION IN HEAVEN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+ <p>
+ <br /> <br />
+ </p>
+ <h1>
+ IXION IN HEAVEN
+ </h1>
+ <h2>
+ By Benjamin Disraeli
+ </h2>
+ <p>
+ <br /> <br />
+ </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ <i>ADVERTISEMENT</i>
+
+ <i>&lsquo;IXION, King of Thessaly, famous for its horses, married
+ Dia, daughter of Deioneus, who, in consequence of his son-
+ in-law&rsquo;s non-fulfilment of his engagements, stole away some
+ of the monarch&rsquo;s steeds. Ixion concealed his resentment
+ under the mask of friendship. He invited his father-in-law
+ to a feast at Larissa, the capital of his kingdom; and when
+ Deioneus arrived according to his appointment, he threw him
+ into a pit which he had previously filled with burning
+ coals. This treachery so irritated the neighbouring princes,
+ that all of them refused to perform the usual ceremony, by
+ which a man was then purified of murder, and Ixion was
+ shunned and despised by all mankind. Jupiter had compassion
+ upon him, carried him to Heaven, and introduced him to the
+ Father of the Gods. Such a favour, which ought to have
+ awakened gratitude in Ixion, only served to inflame his bad
+ passions; he became enamoured of Juno, and attempted to
+ seduce her. Juno was willing to gratify the passion of
+ Ixion, though, according to others,&rsquo; &amp;c.&mdash;Classical
+ Dictionary, art. &lsquo;Ixion.&lsquo;</i>
+ </pre>
+ <p>
+ <br /> <br />
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <p>
+ <br /> <br />
+ </p>
+ <h2>
+ Contents
+ </h2>
+ <table summary="">
+ <tr>
+ <td>
+ <p>
+ <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <big><b>IXION IN HEAVEN</b></big> </a>
+ </p>
+ <p class="toc">
+ <a href="#link2H_PART1"> PART I. </a>
+ </p>
+ <p class="toc">
+ <a href="#link2H_PART2"> PART II. </a>
+ </p>
+ </td>
+ </tr>
+ </table>
+ <p>
+ <br /> <br />
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <p>
+ <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001">
+ <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br />
+ </p>
+ <h2>
+ IXION IN HEAVEN
+ </h2>
+ <p>
+ <a name="link2H_PART1" id="link2H_PART1">
+ <!-- H2 anchor --> </a>
+ </p>
+ <div style="height: 4em;">
+ <br /><br /><br /><br />
+ </div>
+ <h2>
+ PART I.
+ </h2>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ <i>An Errant King</i>
+</pre>
+ <p>
+ THE thunder groaned, the wind howled, the rain fell in hissing torrents,
+ impenetrable darkness covered the earth. A blue and forky flash darted a
+ momentary light over the landscape. A Doric temple rose in the centre of a
+ small and verdant plain, surrounded on all sides by green and hanging
+ woods.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Jove is my only friend,&rsquo; exclaimed a wanderer, as he muffled himself up
+ in his mantle; &lsquo;and were it not for the porch of his temple, this night,
+ methinks, would complete the work of my loving wife and my dutiful
+ subjects.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The thunder died away, the wind sank into silence, the rain ceased, and
+ the parting clouds exhibited the glittering crescent of the young moon. A
+ sonorous and majestic voice sounded from the skies:&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Who art thou that hast no other friend than Jove?&rsquo; &lsquo;One whom all mankind
+ unite in calling a wretch.&rsquo; &lsquo;Art thou a philosopher?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;If philosophy be endurance. But for the rest, I was sometime a king, and
+ am now a scatterling.&rsquo; &lsquo;How do they call thee? &lsquo;Ixion of Thessaly.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Ixion of Thessaly! I thought he was a happy man. I heard that he was just
+ married.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Father of Gods and men! for I deem thee such, Thessaly is not Olympus.
+ Conjugal felicity is only the portion of the immortals!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Hem! What! was Dia jealous, which is common; or false, which is commoner;
+ or both, which is commonest?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;It may be neither. We quarrelled about nothing. Where there is little
+ sympathy, or too much, the splitting of a straw is plot enough for a
+ domestic tragedy. I was careless, her friends stigmatised me as callous;
+ she cold, her friends styled her magnanimous. Public opinion was all on
+ her side, merely because I did not choose that the world should interfere
+ between me and my wife. Dia took the world&rsquo;s advice upon every point, and
+ the world decided that she always acted rightly. However, life is life,
+ either in a palace or a cave. I am glad you ordered it to leave off
+ thundering.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;A cool dog this. And Dia left thee? &lsquo;No; I left her.&rsquo; &lsquo;What, craven?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Not exactly. The truth is&mdash;&mdash;-&rsquo;tis a long story.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ I was over head and ears in debt.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Ah! that accounts for everything. Nothing so harassing as a want of
+ money! But what lucky fellows you mortals are with your <i>post-obits!</i>
+ We Immortals are deprived of this resource. I was obliged to get up a
+ rebellion against my father, because he kept me so short, and could not
+ die.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;You could have married for money. I did.&rsquo; &lsquo;I had no opportunity, there
+ was so little female society in those days. When I came out, there were no
+ heiresses except the Parcae, confirmed old maids; and no very rich
+ dowager, except my grandmother, old Terra.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Just the thing; the older the better. However, I married Dia, the
+ daughter of Deioneus, with a prodigious portion; but after the ceremony
+ the old gentleman would not fulfil his part of the contract without my
+ giving up my stud. Can you conceive anything more unreasonable? I
+ smothered my resentment at the time; for the truth is, my tradesmen all
+ renewed my credit on the strength of the match, and so we went on very
+ well for a year; but at last they began to smell a rat, and grew
+ importunate. I entreated Dia to interfere; but she was a paragon of
+ daughters, and always took the side of her father. If she had only been
+ dutiful to her husband, she would have been a perfect woman. At last I
+ invited Deioneus to the Larissa races, with the intention of conciliating
+ him. The unprincipled old man bought the horse that I had backed, and by
+ which I intended to have redeemed my fortunes, and withdrew it. My book
+ was ruined. I dissembled my rage. I dug a pit in our garden, and filled it
+ with burning coals. As my father-in-law and myself were taking a stroll
+ after dinner, the worthy Deioneus fell in, merely by accident. Dia
+ proclaimed me the murderer of her father, and, as a satisfaction to her
+ wounded feelings, earnestly requested her subjects to decapitate her
+ husband. She certainly was the best of daughters. There was no
+ withstanding public opinion, an infuriated rabble, and a magnanimous wife
+ at the same time. They surrounded my palace: I cut my way through the
+ greasy-capped multitude, sword in hand, and gained a neighbouring Court,
+ where I solicited my brother princes to purify me from the supposed
+ murder. If I had only murdered a subject, they would have supported me
+ against the people; but Deioneus being a crowned head, like themselves,
+ they declared they would not countenance so immoral a being as his
+ son-in-law. And so, at length, after much wandering, and shunned by all my
+ species, I am here, Jove, in much higher society than I ever expected to
+ mingle.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Well, thou art a frank dog, and in a sufficiently severe scrape. The Gods
+ must have pity on those for whom men have none. It is evident that Earth
+ is too hot for thee at present, so I think thou hadst better come and stay
+ a few weeks with us in Heaven.&rsquo; &lsquo;Take my thanks for hecatombs, great Jove.
+ Thou art, indeed, a God!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I hardly know whether our life will suit you. We dine at sunset; for
+ Apollo is so much engaged that he cannot join us sooner, and no dinner
+ goes off well without him. In the morning you are your own master, and
+ must find amusement where you can. Diana will show you some tolerable
+ sport. Do you shoot?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;No arrow surer. Fear not for me, Ægiochus: I am always at home. But how
+ am I to get to you?&rsquo; &lsquo;I will send Mercury; he is the best travelling
+ companion in the world. What ho! my Eagle!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The clouds joined, and darkness again fell over the earth.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;So! tread softly. Don&rsquo;t be nervous. Are you sick?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;A little nausea; &lsquo;tis nothing.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;The novelty of the motion. The best thing is a beefsteak. We will stop at
+ Taurus and take one.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;You have been a great traveller, Mercury?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I have seen the world.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Ah! a wondrous spectacle. I long to travel.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;The same thing over and over again. Little novelty and much change. I am
+ wearied with exertion, and if I could get a pension would retire.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;And yet travel brings wisdom.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;It cures us of care. Seeing much we feel little, and learn how very petty
+ are all those great affairs which cost us such anxiety.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I feel that already myself. Floating in this blue aether, what the devil
+ is my wife to me, and her dirty Earth! My persecuting enemies seem so many
+ pismires; and as for my debts, which have occasioned me so many brooding
+ moments, honour and infamy, credit and beggary, seem to me alike
+ ridiculous.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Your mind is opening, Ixion. You will soon be a man of the world. To the
+ left, and keep clear of that star.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Who lives there?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;The Fates know, not I. Some low people who are trying to shine into
+ notice. &lsquo;Tis a parvenu planet, and only sprung into space within this
+ century. We do not visit them.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Poor devils! I feel hungry.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;All right. We shall get into Heaven by the first dinner bolt. You cannot
+ arrive at a strange house at a better moment. We shall just have time to
+ dress. I would not spoil my appetite by luncheon. Jupiter keeps a capital
+ cook.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I have heard of Nectar and Ambrosia.&rsquo; &lsquo;Poh! nobody touches them. They are
+ regular old-fashioned celestial food, and merely put upon the side-table.
+ Nothing goes down in Heaven now but infernal cookery. We took our chef
+ from Proserpine.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Were you ever in Hell?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Several times. &lsquo;Tis the fashion now among the Olympians to pass the
+ winter there.&rsquo; &lsquo;Is this the season in Heaven?&rsquo; &lsquo;Yes; you are lucky.
+ Olympus is quite full.&rsquo; &lsquo;It was kind of Jupiter to invite me.&rsquo; &lsquo;Ay! he has
+ his good points. And, no doubt, he has taken a liking to you, which is all
+ very well. But be upon your guard. He has no heart, and is as capricious
+ as he is tyrannical.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Gods cannot be more unkind to me than men have been.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;All those who have suffered think they have seen the worst. A great
+ mistake. However, you are now in the high road to preferment, so we will
+ not be dull. There are some good fellows enough amongst us. You will like
+ old Neptune.&rsquo; &lsquo;Is he there now?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Yes, he generally passes his summer with us. There is little stirring in
+ the ocean at that season.&rsquo; &lsquo;I am anxious to see Mars.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Oh! a brute, more a bully than a hero. Not at all in the best set. These
+ mustachioed gentry are by no means the rage at present in Olympus. The
+ women are all literary now, and Minerva has quite eclipsed Venus. Apollo
+ is our hero. You must read his last work.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I hate reading.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;So do I. I have no time, and seldom do anything in that way but glance at
+ a newspaper. Study and action will not combine.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I suppose I shall find the Goddesses very proud?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;You will find them as you find women below, of different dispositions
+ with the same object. Venus is a flirt; Minerva a prude, who fancies she
+ has a correct taste and a strong mind; and Juno a politician. As for the
+ rest, faint heart never won fair lady; take a friendly hint, and do not be
+ alarmed.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I fear nothing. My mind mounts with my fortunes. We are above the clouds.
+ They form beneath us a vast and snowy region, dim and irregular, as I have
+ sometimes seen them clustering upon the horizon&rsquo;s ridge at sunset, like a
+ raging sea stilled by some sudden supernatural frost and frozen into form!
+ How bright the air above us, and how delicate its fragrant breath! I
+ scarcely breathe, and yet my pulses beat like my first youth. I hardly
+ feel my being. A splendour falls upon your presence. You seem, indeed, a
+ God! Am I so glorious? This, this is Heaven!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The travellers landed on a vast flight of sparkling steps of lapis-lazuli.
+ Ascending, they entered beautiful gardens; winding walks that yielded to
+ the feet, and accelerated your passage by their rebounding pressure;
+ fragrant shrubs covered with dazzling flowers, the fleeting tints of which
+ changed every moment; groups of tall trees, with strange birds of
+ brilliant and variegated plumage, singing and reposing in their sheeny
+ foliage, and fountains of perfumes.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Before them rose an illimitable and golden palace, with high spreading
+ domes of pearl, and long windows of crystal. Around the huge portal of
+ ruby was ranged a company of winged genii, who smiled on Mercury as he
+ passed them with his charge.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;The Father of Gods and men is dressing,&rsquo; said the son of Maia. &lsquo;I shall
+ attend his toilet and inform him of your arrival. These are your rooms.
+ Dinner will be ready in half an hour. I will call for you as I go down.
+ You can be formally presented in the evening. At that time, inspired by
+ liqueurs and his matchless band of wind instruments, you will agree with
+ the world that Ægiochus is the most finished God in existence.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Now, Ixion, are you ready?&rsquo; &lsquo;Even so. What says Jove?&rsquo; &lsquo;He smiled, but
+ said nothing. He was trying on a new robe. By this time he is seated.
+ Hark! the thunder. Come on!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ They entered a cupolaed hall. Seats of ivory and gold were ranged round a
+ circular table of cedar, inlaid with the campaigns against the Titans, in
+ silver exquisitely worked, a nuptial present of Vulcan. The service of
+ gold plate threw all the ideas of the King of Thessaly as to royal
+ magnificence into the darkest shade. The enormous plateau represented the
+ constellations. Ixion viewed the Father of Gods and men with great
+ interest, who, however, did not notice him. He acknowledged the majesty of
+ that countenance whose nod shook Olympus. Majestically robust and
+ luxuriantly lusty, his tapering waist was evidently immortal, for it
+ defied Time, and his splendid auburn curls, parted on his forehead with
+ celestial precision, descended over cheeks glowing with the purple
+ radiancy of perpetual manhood.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The haughty Juno was seated on his left hand and Ceres on his right. For
+ the rest of the company there was Neptune, Latona, Minerva, and Apollo,
+ and when Mercury and Ixion had taken their places, one seat was still
+ vacant.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Where is Diana?&rsquo; inquired Jupiter, with a frown.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;My sister is hunting,&rsquo; said Apollo.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;She is always too late for dinner,&rsquo; said Jupiter. &lsquo;No habit is less
+ Goddess-like.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Godlike pursuits cannot be expected to induce Goddess-like manners,&rsquo; said
+ Juno, with a sneer.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I have no doubt Diana will be here directly,&rsquo; said Latona, mildly.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Jupiter seemed pacified, and at that instant the absent guest returned.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Good sport, Di?&rsquo; inquired Neptune.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Very fair, uncle. Mamma,&rsquo; continued the sister of Apollo, addressing
+ herself to Juno, whom she ever thus styled when she wished to conciliate
+ her, &lsquo;I have brought you a new peacock.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Juno was fond of pets, and was conciliated by the present.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Bacchus made a great noise about this wine, Mercury,&rsquo; said Jupiter,&rsquo; but
+ I think with little cause. What think you?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;It pleases me, but I am fatigued, and then all wine is agreeable.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;You have had a long journey,&rsquo; replied the Thunderer. &lsquo;Ixion, I am glad to
+ see you in Heaven.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Your Majesty arrived to-day?&rsquo; inquired Minerva, to whom the King of
+ Thessaly sat next.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Within this hour.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;You must leave off talking of Time now,&rsquo; said Minerva, with a severe
+ smile. &lsquo;Pray is there anything new in Greece?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I have not been at all in society lately.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;No new edition of Homer? I admire him exceedingly.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;All about Greece interests me,&rsquo; said Apollo, who, although handsome, was
+ a somewhat melancholy lack-a-daisical looking personage, with his shirt
+ collar thrown open, and his long curls theatrically arranged. &lsquo;All about
+ Greece interests me. I always consider Greece my peculiar property. My
+ best poems were written at Delphi. I travelled in Greece when I was young.
+ I envy mankind.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Indeed!&rsquo; said Ixion.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Yes: they at least can look forward to a termination of the ennui of
+ existence, but for us Celestials there is no prospect. Say what they like,
+ immortality is a bore.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;You eat nothing, Apollo,&rsquo; said Ceres.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Nor drink,&rsquo; said Neptune.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;To eat, to drink, what is it but to live; and what is life but death, if
+ death be that which all men deem it, a thing insufferable, and to be
+ shunned. I refresh myself now only with soda-water and biscuits. Ganymede,
+ bring some.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Now, although the <i>cuisine</i> of Olympus was considered perfect, the
+ forlorn poet had unfortunately fixed upon the only two articles which were
+ not comprised in its cellar or larder. In Heaven, there was neither
+ soda-water nor biscuits. A great confusion consequently ensued; but at
+ length the bard, whose love of fame was only equalled by his horror of
+ getting fat, consoled himself with a swan stuffed with truffles, and a
+ bottle of strong Tenedos wine.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;What do you think of Homer?&rsquo; inquired Minerva of Apollo. &lsquo;Is he not
+ delightful?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;If you think so.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Nay, I am desirous of your opinion.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Then you should not have given me yours, for your taste is too fine for
+ me to dare to differ with it.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I have suspected, for some time, that you are rather a heretic&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Why, the truth is,&rsquo; replied Apollo, playing with his rings, &lsquo;I do not
+ think much of Homer. Homer was not esteemed in his own age, and our
+ contemporaries are generally our best judges. The fact is, there are very
+ few people who are qualified to decide upon matters of taste. A certain
+ set, for certain reasons, resolve to cry up a certain writer, and the
+ great mass soon join in. All is cant. And the present admiration of Homer
+ is not less so. They say I have borrowed a great deal from him. The truth
+ is, I never read Homer since I was a child, and I thought of him then what
+ I think of him now, a writer of some wild irregular power, totally
+ deficient in taste. Depend upon it, our contemporaries are our best
+ judges, and his contemporaries decided that Homer was nothing. A great
+ poet cannot be kept down. Look at my case. Marsyas said of my first volume
+ that it was pretty good poetry for a God, and in answer I wrote a satire,
+ and flayed Marsyas alive. But what is poetry, and what is criticism, and
+ what is life? Air. And what is air? Do you know? I don&rsquo;t. All is mystery,
+ and all is gloom, and ever and anon from out the clouds a star breaks
+ forth, and glitters, and that star is Poetry.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Splendid!&rsquo; exclaimed Minerva.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I do not exactly understand you,&rsquo; said Neptune.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Have you heard from Proserpine, lately?&rsquo; inquired Jupiter of Ceres.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Yesterday,&rsquo; said the domestic mother. &lsquo;They talk of soon joining us. But
+ Pluto is at present so busy, owing to the amazing quantity of wars going
+ on now, that I am almost afraid he will scarcely be able to accompany
+ her.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Juno exchanged a telegraphic nod with Ceres. The Goddesses rose, and
+ retired.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Come, old boy,&rsquo; said Jupiter to Ixion, instantly throwing off all his
+ chivalric majesty, &lsquo;I drink your welcome in a magnum of Maraschino. Damn
+ your poetry, Apollo, and, Mercury, give us one of your good stories.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Well! what do you think of him?&rsquo; asked Juno.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;He appears to have a fine mind,&rsquo; said Minerva.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Poh! he has very fine eyes,&rsquo; said Juno.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;He seems a very nice, quiet young gentleman,&rsquo; said Ceres.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I have no doubt he is very amiable,&rsquo; said Latona.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;He must have felt very strange,&rsquo; said Diana.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Hercules arrived with his bride Hebe; soon after the Graces dropped in,
+ the most delightful personages in the world for a <i>soiree</i>, so useful
+ and ready for anything. Afterwards came a few of the Muses, Thalia,
+ Melpomene, and Terpsichore, famous for a charade or a proverb. Jupiter
+ liked to be amused in the evening. Bacchus also came, but finding that the
+ Gods had not yet left their wine, retired to pay them a visit.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Ganymede announced coffee in the saloon of Juno. Jupiter was in superb
+ good humour. He was amused by his mortal guest. He had condescended to
+ tell one of his best stories in his best style, about Leda, not too
+ scandalous, but gay.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Those were bright days,&rsquo; said Neptune.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;We can remember,&rsquo; said the Thunderer, with a twinkling eye. &lsquo;These youths
+ have fallen upon duller times. There are no fine women now. Ixion, I drink
+ to the health of your wife.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;With all my heart, and may we never be nearer than we are at present.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Good! i&rsquo;faith; Apollo, your arm. Now for the ladies. La, la, la, la! la,
+ la, la, la!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The Thunderer entered the saloon of Juno with that bow which no God could
+ rival; all rose, and the King of Heaven seated himself between Ceres and
+ Latona. The melancholy Apollo stood apart, and was soon carried off by
+ Minerva to an assembly at the house of Mnemosyne. Mercury chatted with the
+ Graces, and Bacchus with Diana. The three Muses favoured the company with
+ singing, and the Queen of Heaven approached Ixion.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Does your Majesty dance?&rsquo; she haughtily inquired.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;On earth; I have few accomplishments even there, and none in Heaven.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;You have led a strange life! I have heard of your adventures.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;A king who has lost his crown may generally gain at least experience.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Your courage is firm.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I have felt too much to care for much. Yesterday I was a vagabond exposed
+ to every pitiless storm, and now I am the guest of Jove. While there is
+ life there is hope, and he who laughs at Destiny will gain Fortune. I
+ would go through the past again to enjoy the present, and feel that, after
+ all, I am my wife&rsquo;s debtor, since, through her conduct, I can gaze upon
+ you.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;No great spectacle. If that be all. I wish you better fortune.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I desire no greater.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;You are moderate.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I am perhaps more unreasonable than you imagine.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Indeed!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Their eyes met; the dark orbs of the Thessalian did not quail before the
+ flashing vision of the Goddess. Juno grew pale. Juno turned away.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ <a name="link2H_PART2" id="link2H_PART2">
+ <!-- H2 anchor --> </a>
+ </p>
+ <div style="height: 4em;">
+ <br /><br /><br /><br />
+ </div>
+ <h2>
+ PART II.
+ </h2>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ <i>&lsquo;Others say it was only a cloud.&rsquo;</i>
+
+ <i>A Mortal Among the Gods.</i>
+</pre>
+ <p>
+ MERCURY and Ganymede were each lolling on an opposite couch in the
+ antechamber of Olympus.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;It is wonderful,&rsquo; said the son of Maia, yawning. &lsquo;It is incredible,&rsquo;
+ rejoined the cupbearer of Jove, stretching his legs.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;A miserable mortal!&rsquo; exclaimed the God, elevating his eyebrows.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;A vile Thessalian!&rsquo; said the beautiful Phrygian, shrugging his shoulders.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Not three days back an outcast among his own wretched species!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;And now commanding everybody in Heaven.&rsquo; &lsquo;He shall not command me,
+ though,&rsquo; said Mercury.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Will he not?&rsquo; replied Ganymede. &lsquo;Why, what do you think? only last night;
+ hark! here he comes.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The companions jumped up from their couches; a light laugh was heard. The
+ cedar portal was flung open, and Ixion lounged in, habited in a loose
+ morning robe, and kicking before him one of his slippers. &lsquo;Ah!&rsquo; exclaimed
+ the King of Thessaly, &lsquo;the very fellows I wanted to see! Ganymede, bring
+ me some nectar; and, Mercury, run and tell Jove that I shall not dine at
+ home to-day.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The messenger and the page exchanged looks of indignant consternation.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Well! what are you waiting for?&rsquo; continued Ixion, looking round from the
+ mirror in which he was arranging his locks. The messenger and the page
+ disappeared.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;So! this is Heaven,&rsquo; exclaimed the husband of Dia, flinging himself upon
+ one of the couches; &lsquo;and a very pleasant place too. These worthy Immortals
+ required their minds to be opened, and I trust I have effectually
+ performed the necessary operation. They wanted to keep me down with their
+ dull old-fashioned celestial airs, but I fancy I have given them change
+ for their talent. To make your way in Heaven you must command. These
+ exclusives sink under the audacious invention of an aspiring mind. Jove
+ himself is really a fine old fellow, with some notions too. I am a prime
+ favourite, and no one is greater authority with Ægiochus on all subjects,
+ from the character of the fair sex or the pedigree of a courser, down to
+ the cut of a robe or the flavour of a dish. Thanks, Ganymede,&rsquo; continued
+ the Thessalian, as he took the goblet from his returning attendant.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I drink to your <i>bonnes fortunes</i>. Splendid! This nectar makes me
+ feel quite immortal. By-the-bye, I hear sweet sounds. Who is in the Hall
+ of Music?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;The Goddesses, royal sir, practise a new air of Euterpe, the words by
+ Apollo. &lsquo;Tis pretty, and will doubtless be very popular, for it is all
+ about moonlight and the misery of existence.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I warrant it.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;You have a taste for poetry yourself?&rsquo; inquired Ganymede.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Not the least,&rsquo; replied Ixion.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Apollo,&rsquo; continued the heavenly page, &lsquo;is a great genius, though Marsyas
+ said that he never would be a poet because he was a God, and had no heart.
+ But do you think, sir, that a poet does indeed need a heart?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I really cannot say. I know my wife always said I had a bad heart and
+ worse head; but what she meant, upon my honour I never could understand.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Minerva will ask you to write in her album.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Will she indeed! I am sorry to hear it, for I can scarcely scrawl my
+ signature. I should think that Jove himself cared little for all this
+ nonsense.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Jove loves an epigram. He does not esteem Apollo&rsquo;s works at all. Jove is
+ of the classical school, and admires satire, provided there be no
+ allusions to Gods and kings.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Of course; I quite agree with him. I remember we had a confounded poet at
+ Larissa who proved my family lived before the deluge, and asked me for a
+ pension. I refused him, and then he wrote an epigram asserting that I
+ sprang from the veritable stones thrown by Deucalion and Pyrrha at the
+ re-peopling of the earth, and retained all the properties of my
+ ancestors.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Ha, ha! Hark! there&rsquo;s a thunderbolt! I must run to Jove.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;And I will look in on the musicians. This way, I think?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Up the ruby staircase, turn to your right, down the amethyst gallery.
+ Farewell!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Good-bye; a lively lad that!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The King of Thessaly entered the Hall of Music with its golden walls and
+ crystal dome. The Queen of Heaven was reclining in an easy chair, cutting
+ out peacocks in small sheets of note paper. Minerva was making a pencil
+ observation on a manuscript copy of the song: Apollo listened with
+ deference to her laudatory criticisms. Another divine dame, standing by
+ the side of Euterpe, who was seated by the harp, looked up as Ixion
+ entered. The wild liquid glance of her soft but radiant countenance
+ denoted the famed Goddess of Beauty.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Juno just acknowledged the entrance of Ixion by a slight and haughty
+ inclination of the head, and then resumed her employment. Minerva asked
+ him his opinion of her amendment, of which he greatly approved. Apollo
+ greeted him with a melancholy smile, and congratulated him on being
+ mortal. Venus complimented him on his visit to Olympus, and expressed the
+ pleasure that she experienced in making his acquaintance.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;What do you think of Heaven?&rsquo; inquired Venus, in a soft still voice, and
+ with a smile like summer lightning.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I never found it so enchanting as at this moment,&rsquo; replied Ixion.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;A little dull? For myself, I pass my time chiefly at Cnidos: you must
+ come and visit me there. &lsquo;Tis the most charming place in the world. &lsquo;Tis
+ said, you know, that our onions are like other people&rsquo;s roses. We will
+ take care of you, if your wife come.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;No fear of that. She always remains at home and piques herself on her
+ domestic virtues, which means pickling, and quarrelling with her husband.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Ah! I see you are a droll. Very good indeed. Well, for my part, I like a
+ watering-place existence. Cnidos, Paphos, Cythera; you will usually find
+ me at one of these places. I like the easy distraction of a career without
+ any visible result. At these fascinating spots your gloomy race, to whom,
+ by-the-bye, I am exceedingly partial, appear emancipated from the wearing
+ fetters of their regular, dull, orderly, methodical, moral, political,
+ toiling existence. I pride myself upon being the Goddess of
+ watering-places. You really must pay me a visit at Cnidos.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Such an invitation requires no repetition. And Cnidos is your favourite
+ spot?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Why, it was so; but of late it has become so inundated with invalid
+ Asiatics and valetudinarian Persians, that the simultaneous influx of the
+ handsome heroes who swarm in from the islands to look after their
+ daughters, scarcely compensates for the annoying presence of their yellow
+ faces and shaking limbs. No, I think, on the whole, Paphos is my
+ favourite.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I have heard of its magnificent luxury.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Oh! &lsquo;tis lovely! Quite my idea of country life. Not a single tree! When
+ Cyprus is very hot, you run to Paphos for a sea-breeze, and are sure to
+ meet every one whose presence is in the least desirable. All the bores
+ remain behind, as if by instinct.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I remember when we married, we talked of passing the honeymoon at
+ Cythera, but Dia would have her waiting-maid and a bandbox stuffed between
+ us in the chariot, so I got sulky after the first stage, and returned by
+ myself.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;You were quite right. I hate bandboxes: they are always in the way. You
+ would have liked Cythera if you had been in the least in love. High rocks
+ and green knolls, bowery woods, winding walks, and delicious sunsets. I
+ have not been there much of late,&rsquo; continued the Goddess, looking somewhat
+ sad and serious, &lsquo;since&mdash;but I will not talk sentiment to Ixion.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Do you think, then, I am insensible?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Yes.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Perhaps you are right. We mortals grow callous.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;So I have heard. How very odd!&rsquo; So saying, the Goddess glided away and
+ saluted Mars, who at that moment entered the hall. Ixion was presented to
+ the military hero, who looked fierce and bowed stiffly. The King of
+ Thessaly turned upon his heel. Minerva opened her album, and invited him
+ to inscribe a stanza.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Goddess of Wisdom,&rsquo; replied the King, &lsquo;unless you inspire me, the virgin
+ page must remain pure as thyself. I can scarcely sign a decree.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Is it Ixion of Thessaly who says this; one who has seen so much, and, if
+ I am not mistaken, has felt and thought so much? I can easily conceive why
+ such a mind may desire to veil its movements from the common herd, but
+ pray concede to Minerva the gratifying compliment of assuring her that she
+ is the exception for whom this rule has been established.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I seem to listen to the inspired music of an oracle. Give me a pen!
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Here is one, plucked from a sacred owl.&rsquo; &lsquo;So! I write. There! Will it
+ do?&rsquo; Minerva read the inscription:&mdash;
+ </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ <i>I HAVE SEEN THE WORLD, AND MORE THAN THE WORLD:
+ I HAVE STUDIED THE HEART OF MAN,
+ AND NOW I CONSORT WITH IMMORTALS.
+ THE FRUIT OF MY TREE OF KNOWLEDGE IS PLUCKED,
+ AND IT IS THIS,
+ &lsquo;Adventures are to the Adventurous.&rsquo;
+ Written in the Album of Minerva, by
+ Ixion in Heaven.</i>
+</pre>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;&rsquo;Tis brief,&rsquo; said the Goddess, with a musing air, &lsquo;but full of meaning.
+ You have a daring soul and pregnant mind.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I have dared much: what I may produce we have yet to see.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I must to Jove,&rsquo; said Minerva, &lsquo;to council. We shall meet again.
+ Farewell, Ixion.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Farewell, Glaucopis.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The King of Thessaly stood away from the remaining guests, and leant with
+ folded arms and pensive brow against a wreathed column. Mars listened to
+ Venus with an air of deep devotion. Euterpe played an inspiring
+ accompaniment to their conversation. The Queen of Heaven seemed engrossed
+ in the creation of her paper peacocks.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Ixion advanced and seated himself on a couch near Juno. His manner was
+ divested of that reckless bearing and careless coolness by which it was in
+ general distinguished. He was, perhaps, even a little embarrassed. His
+ ready tongue deserted him. At length he spoke.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Has your Majesty ever heard of the peacock of the Queen of Mesopotamia?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;No,&rsquo; replied Juno, with stately reserve; and then she added with an air
+ of indifferent curiosity, &lsquo;Is it in any way remarkable?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Its breast is of silver, its wings of gold, its eyes of carbuncle, its
+ claws of amethyst.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;And its tail?&rsquo; eagerly inquired Juno.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;That is a secret,&rsquo; replied Ixion. &lsquo;The tail is the most wonderful part of
+ all.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Oh! tell me, pray tell me!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I forget.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;No, no, no; it is impossible!&rsquo; exclaimed the animated Juno. &lsquo;Provoking
+ mortal!&rsquo; continued the Goddess. &lsquo;Let me entreat you; tell me immediately.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;There is a reason which prevents me.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;What can it be? How very odd! What reason can it possibly be? Now tell
+ me; as a particular, a personal favour, I request you, do tell me.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;What! The tail or the reason? The tail is wonderful, but the reason is
+ much more so. I can only tell one. Now choose.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;What provoking things these human beings are! The tail is wonderful, but
+ the reason is much more so. Well then, the reason; no, the tail. Stop,
+ now, as a particular favour, pray tell me both. What can the tail be made
+ of and what can the reason be? I am literally dying of curiosity.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Your Majesty has cut out that peacock wrong,&rsquo; remarked Ixion. &lsquo;It is more
+ like one of Minerva&rsquo;s owls.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Who cares about paper peacocks, when the Queen of Mesopotamia has got
+ such a miracle!&rsquo; exclaimed Juno; and she tore the labours of the morning
+ to pieces, and threw away the fragments with vexation. &lsquo;Now tell me
+ instantly; if you have the slightest regard for me, tell me instantly.
+ What was the tail made of?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;And you do not wish to hear the reason?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;That afterwards. Now! I am all ears.&rsquo; At this moment Ganymede entered,
+ and whispered the Goddess, who rose in evident vexation, and retired to
+ the presence of Jove.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The King of Thessaly quitted the Hall of Music. Moody, yet not
+ uninfluenced by a degree of wild excitement, he wandered forth into the
+ gardens of Olympus. He came to a beautiful green retreat surrounded by
+ enormous cedars, so vast that it seemed they must have been coeval with
+ the creation; so fresh and brilliant, you would have deemed them wet with
+ the dew of their first spring. The turf, softer than down, and exhaling,
+ as you pressed it, an exquisite perfume, invited him to recline himself
+ upon this natural couch. He threw himself upon the aromatic herbage, and
+ leaning on his arm, fell into a deep reverie.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Hours flew away; the sunshiny glades that opened in the distance had
+ softened into shade.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Ixion, how do you do?&rsquo; inquired a voice, wild, sweet, and thrilling as a
+ bird. The King of Thessaly started and looked up with the distracted air
+ of a man roused from a dream, or from complacent meditation over some
+ strange, sweet secret. His cheek was flushed, his dark eyes flashed fire;
+ his brow trembled, his dishevelled hair played in the fitful breeze. The
+ King of Thessaly looked up, and beheld a most beautiful youth.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Apparently, he had attained about the age of puberty. His stature,
+ however, was rather tall for his age, but exquisitely moulded and
+ proportioned. Very fair, his somewhat round cheeks were tinted with a rich
+ but delicate glow, like the rose of twilight, and lighted by dimples that
+ twinkled like stars. His large and deep-blue eyes sparkled with
+ exultation, and an air of ill-suppressed mockery quivered round his
+ pouting lips. His light auburn hair, braided off his white forehead,
+ clustered in massy curls on each side of his face, and fell in sunny
+ torrents down his neck. And from the back of the beautiful youth there
+ fluttered forth two wings, the tremulous plumage of which seemed to have
+ been bathed in a sunset: so various, so radiant, and so novel were its
+ shifting and wondrous tints; purple, and crimson, and gold; streaks of
+ azure, dashes of orange and glossy black; now a single feather, whiter
+ than light, and sparkling like the frost, stars of emerald and carbuncle,
+ and then the prismatic blaze of an enormous brilliant! A quiver hung at
+ the side of the beautiful youth, and he leant upon a bow.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Oh! God, for God thou must be!&rsquo; at length exclaimed Ixion. &lsquo;Do I behold
+ the bright divinity of Love?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I am indeed Cupid,&rsquo; replied the youth; &lsquo;and am curious to know what Ixion
+ is thinking about.&rsquo; &lsquo;Thought is often bolder than speech.&rsquo; &lsquo;Oracular,
+ though a mortal! You need not be afraid to trust me. My aid I am sure you
+ must need. Who ever was found in a reverie on the green turf, under the
+ shade of spreading trees, without requiring the assistance of Cupid? Come!
+ be frank, who is the heroine? Some love-sick nymph deserted on the far
+ earth; or worse, some treacherous mistress, whose frailty is more easily
+ forgotten than her charms? &lsquo;Tis a miserable situation, no doubt. It cannot
+ be your wife?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Assuredly not,&rsquo; replied Ixion, with energy.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Another man&rsquo;s?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;No.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;What! an obdurate maiden?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Ixion shook his head.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;It must be a widow, then,&rsquo; continued Cupid. &lsquo;Who ever heard before of
+ such a piece of work about a widow!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Have pity upon me, dread Cupid!&rsquo; exclaimed the King of Thessaly, rising
+ suddenly from the ground, and falling on his knee before the God. &lsquo;Thou
+ art the universal friend of man, and all nations alike throw their incense
+ on thy altars. Thy divine discrimination has not deceived thee. I <i>am</i>
+ in love; desperately, madly, fatally enamoured. The object of my passion
+ is neither my own wife nor another man&rsquo;s. In spite of all they have said
+ and sworn, I am a moral member of society. She is neither a maid nor a
+ widow. She is&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;What? what?&rsquo; exclaimed the impatient deity.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;A Goddess!&rsquo; replied the King.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Wheugh!&rsquo; whistled Cupid. &lsquo;What! has my mischievous mother been indulging
+ you with an innocent flirtation?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Yes; but it produced no effect upon me.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;You have a stout heart, then. Perhaps you have been reading poetry with
+ Minerva, and are caught in one of her Platonic man-traps.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;She set one, but I broke away.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;You have a stout leg, then. But where are you, where are you? Is it Hebe?
+ It can hardly be Diana, she is so cold. Is it a Muse, or is it one of the
+ Graces?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Ixion again shook his head.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Come, my dear fellow,&rsquo; said Cupid, quite in a confidential tone, &lsquo;you
+ have told enough to make further reserve mere affectation. Ease your heart
+ at once, and if I can assist you, depend upon my exertions.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Beneficent God!&rsquo; exclaimed Ixion, &lsquo;if I ever return to Larissa, the
+ brightest temple in Greece shall hail thee for its inspiring deity. I
+ address thee with all the confiding frankness of a devoted votary. Know,
+ then, the heroine of my reverie was no less a personage than the Queen of
+ Heaven herself!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Juno! by all that is sacred!&rsquo; shouted Cupid. &lsquo;I am here,&rsquo; responded a
+ voice of majestic melody. The stately form of the Queen of Heaven advanced
+ from a neighbouring bower. Ixion stood with his eyes fixed upon the
+ ground, with a throbbing heart and burning cheeks. Juno stood motionless,
+ pale, and astounded. The God of Love burst into excessive laughter.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ <br />
+ </p>
+ <div class="fig" style="width:80%;">
+ <img alt="ixion_page028 (102K)" src="images/ixion_page028.jpg" width="100%" /><br />
+ </div>
+ <div class="fig" style="width:80%;">
+ <img alt="ixion_page028_label (12K)" src="images/ixion_page028_label.jpg"
+ width="100%" /><br />
+ </div>
+ <p>
+ <br />
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;A pretty pair!&rsquo; he exclaimed, fluttering between both, and laughing in
+ their faces. &lsquo;Truly a pretty pair! Well! I see I am in your way.
+ Good-bye!&rsquo; And so saying, the God pulled a couple of arrows from his
+ quiver, and with the rapidity of lightning shot one in the respective
+ breasts of the Queen of Heaven and the King of Thessaly.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The amethystine twilight of Olympus died away. The stars blazed with tints
+ of every hue. Ixion and Juno returned to the palace. She leant upon his
+ arm; her eyes were fixed upon the ground; they were in sight of the
+ gorgeous pile, and yet she had not spoken. Ixion, too, was silent, and
+ gazed with abstraction upon the glowing sky.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Suddenly, when within a hundred yards of the portal, Juno stopped, and
+ looking up into the face of Ixion with an irresistible smile, she said, &lsquo;I
+ am sure you cannot now refuse to tell me what the Queen of Mesopotamia&rsquo;s
+ peacock&rsquo;s tail was made of!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;It is impossible now,&rsquo; said Ixion. &lsquo;Know, then, beautiful Goddess, that
+ the tail of the Queen of Mesopotamia&rsquo;s peacock was made of some plumage
+ she had stolen from the wings of Cupid.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;And what was the reason that prevented you from telling me before?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Because, beautiful Juno, I am the most discreet of men, and respect the
+ secret of a lady, however trifling.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I am glad to hear that,&rsquo; replied Juno, and they re-entered the palace.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Mercury met Juno and Ixion in the gallery leading to the grand banqueting
+ hall.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I was looking for you,&rsquo; said the God, shaking his head. &lsquo;Jove is in a
+ sublime rage. Dinner has been ready this hour.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The King of Thessaly and the Queen of Heaven exchanged a glance and
+ entered the saloon. Jove looked up with a brow of thunder, but did not
+ condescend to send forth a single flash of anger. Jove looked up and Jove
+ looked down. All Olympus trembled as the Father of Gods and men resumed
+ his soup. The rest of the guests seemed nervous and reserved, except
+ Cupid, who said immediately to Juno, &lsquo;Your Majesty has been detained?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I fell asleep in a bower reading Apollo&rsquo;s last poem,&rsquo; replied Juno. &lsquo;I am
+ lucky, however, in finding a companion in my negligence. Ixion, where have
+ you been?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Take a glass of nectar, Juno,&rsquo; said Cupid, with eyes twinkling with
+ mischief; &lsquo;and perhaps Ixion will join us.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ This was the most solemn banquet ever celebrated in Olympus. Everyone
+ seemed out of humour or out of spirits. Jupiter spoke only in
+ monosyllables of suppressed rage, that sounded like distant thunder.
+ Apollo whispered to Minerva. Mercury never opened his lips, but
+ occasionally exchanged significant glances with Ganymede. Mars
+ compensated, by his attentions to Venus, for his want of conversation.
+ Cupid employed himself in asking disagreeable questions. At length the
+ Goddesses retired. Mercury exerted himself to amuse Jove, but the
+ Thunderer scarcely deigned to smile at his best stories. Mars picked his
+ teeth, Apollo played with his rings, Ixion was buried in a profound
+ reverie.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ It was a great relief to all when Ganymede summoned them to the presence
+ of their late companions.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I have written a comment upon your inscription,&rsquo; said Minerva to Ixion,
+ &lsquo;and am anxious for your opinion of it.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I am a wretched critic,&rsquo; said the King, breaking away from her. Juno
+ smiled upon him in the distance.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Ixion,&rsquo; said Venus, as he passed by, &lsquo;come and talk to me.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The bold Thessalian blushed, he stammered out an unmeaning excuse, he
+ quitted the astonished but good-natured Goddess, and seated himself by
+ Juno, and as he seated himself his moody brow seemed suddenly illumined
+ with brilliant light.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Is it so?&rsquo; said Venus.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Hem!&rsquo; said Minerva.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Ha, ha!&rsquo; said Cupid.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Jupiter played piquette with Mercury.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Everything goes wrong to-day,&rsquo; said the King of Heaven; &lsquo;cards wretched,
+ and kept waiting for dinner, and by&mdash;&mdash;-a mortal!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Your Majesty must not be surprised,&rsquo; said the good-natured Mercury, with
+ whom Ixion was no favourite. &lsquo;Your Majesty must not be very much surprised
+ at the conduct of this creature. Considering what he is, and where he is,
+ I am only astonished that his head is not more turned than it appears to
+ be. A man, a thing made of mud, and in Heaven! Only think, sire! Is it not
+ enough to inflame the brain of any child of clay? To be sure, keeping your
+ Majesty from dinner is little short of celestial high treason. I hardly
+ expected that, indeed. To order me about, to treat Ganymede as his own
+ lacquey, and, in short, to command the whole household; all this might be
+ expected from such a person in such a situation, but I confess I did think
+ he had some little respect left for your Majesty.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;And he does order you about, eh?&rsquo; inquired Jove. &lsquo;I have the spades.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Oh! &lsquo;tis quite ludicrous,&rsquo; responded the son of Maia. &lsquo;Your Majesty would
+ not expect from me the offices that this upstart daily requires.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Eternal destiny! is&rsquo;t possible? That is my trick. And Ganymede, too?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Oh! quite shocking, I assure you, sire,&rsquo; said the beautiful cupbearer,
+ leaning over the chair of Jove with all the easy insolence of a privileged
+ favourite. &lsquo;Really, sire, if Ixion is to go on in the way he does, either
+ he or I must quit.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Is it possible?&rsquo; exclaimed Jupiter. &lsquo;But I can believe anything of a man
+ who keeps me waiting for dinner. Two and three make five.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;It is Juno that encourages him so,&rsquo; said Ganymede.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Does she encourage him?&rsquo; inquired Jove.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Everybody notices it,&rsquo; protested Ganymede.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;It is indeed a little noticed,&rsquo; observed Mercury.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;What business has such a fellow to speak to Juno?&rsquo; exclaimed Jove. &lsquo;A
+ mere mortal, a mere miserable mortal! You have the point. How I have been
+ deceived in this fellow! Who ever could have supposed that, after all my
+ generosity to him, he would ever have kept me waiting for dinner?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;He was walking with Juno,&rsquo; said Ganymede. &lsquo;It was all a sham about their
+ having met by accident. Cupid saw them.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Ha!&rsquo; said Jupiter, turning pale; &lsquo;you don&rsquo;t say so! Repiqued, as I am a
+ God. That is mine. Where is the Queen?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Talking to Ixion, sire,&rsquo; said Mercury. &lsquo;Oh, I beg your pardon, sire; I
+ did not know you meant the queen of diamonds.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Never mind. I am repiqued, and I have been kept waiting for dinner.
+ Accursed be this day! Is Ixion really talking to Juno? We will not endure
+ this.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Where is Juno?&rsquo; demanded Jupiter.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I am sure I cannot say,&rsquo; said Venus, with a smile.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I am sure I do not know,&rsquo; said Minerva, with a sneer.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Where is Ixion?&rsquo; said Cupid, laughing outright.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Mercury, Ganymede, find the Queen of Heaven instantly,&rsquo; thundered the
+ Father of Gods and men.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The celestial messenger and the heavenly page flew away out of different
+ doors. There was a terrible, an immortal silence. Sublime rage lowered on
+ the brow of Jove like a storm upon the mountain-top. Minerva seated
+ herself at the card-table and played at Patience. Venus and Cupid tittered
+ in the background. Shortly returned the envoys, Mercury looking solemn,
+ Ganymede malignant.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Well?&rsquo; inquired Jove; and all Olympus trembled at the monosyllable.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Mercury shook his head.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Her Majesty has been walking on the terrace with the King of Thessaly,&rsquo;
+ replied Ganymede.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Where is she now, sir?&rsquo; demanded Jupiter.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Mercury shrugged his shoulders.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Her Majesty is resting herself in the pavilion of Cupid, with the King of
+ Thessaly,&rsquo; replied Ganymede.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Confusion!&rsquo; exclaimed the Father of Gods and men; and he rose and seized
+ a candle from the table, scattering the cards in all directions. Every one
+ present, Minerva and Venus, and Mars and Apollo, and Mercury and Ganymede,
+ and the Muses, and the Graces, and all the winged genii&mdash;each seized
+ a candle; rifling the chandeliers, each followed Jove.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;This way,&rsquo; said Mercury.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;This way,&rsquo; said Ganymede.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;This way, this way!&rsquo; echoed the celestial crowd.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Mischief!&rsquo; cried Cupid; &lsquo;I must save my victims.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ They were all upon the terrace. The Father of Gods and men, though both in
+ a passion and a hurry, moved with dignity. It was, as customary in Heaven,
+ a clear and starry night; but this eve Diana was indisposed, or otherwise
+ engaged, and there was no moonlight. They were in sight of the pavilion.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;What are you?&rsquo; inquired Cupid of one of the genii, who accidentally
+ extinguished his candle.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I am a cloud,&rsquo; answered the winged genius.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;A cloud! Just the thing. Now do me a shrewd turn, and Cupid is ever your
+ debtor. Fly, fly, pretty cloud, and encompass yon pavilion with your form.
+ Away! ask no questions; swift as my word.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I declare there is a fog,&rsquo; said Venus.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;An evening mist in Heaven!&rsquo; said Minerva.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Where is Nox?&rsquo; said Jove. &lsquo;Everything goes wrong. Who ever heard of a
+ mist in Heaven?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;My candle is out,&rsquo; said Apollo.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;And mine, too,&rsquo; said Mars.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;And mine, and mine, and mine,&rsquo; said Mercury and Ganymede, and the Muses
+ and the Graces.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;All the candles are out!&rsquo; said Cupid; &lsquo;a regular fog. I cannot even see
+ the pavilion: it must be hereabouts, though,&rsquo; said the God to himself.
+ &lsquo;So, so; I should be at home in my own pavilion, and am tolerably
+ accustomed to stealing about in the dark. There is a step; and here,
+ surely, is the lock. The door opens, but the cloud enters before me. Juno,
+ Juno,&rsquo; whispered the God of Love, &lsquo;we are all here. Be contented to
+ escape, like many other innocent dames, with your reputation only under a
+ cloud: it will soon disperse; and lo! the heaven is clearing.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;It must have been the heat of our flambeaux,&rsquo; said Venus; &lsquo;for see, the
+ mist is vanished; here is the pavilion.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Ganymede ran forward, and dashed open the door. Ixion was alone.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Seize him!&rsquo; said Jove.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Juno is not here,&rsquo; said Mercury, with an air of blended congratulation
+ and disappointment.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Never mind,&rsquo; said Jove; &lsquo;seize him! He kept me waiting for dinner.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Is this your hospitality, Ægiochus?&rsquo; exclaimed Ixion, in a tone of
+ bullying innocence. &lsquo;I shall defend myself.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Seize him, seize him!&rsquo; exclaimed Jupiter. &lsquo;What! do you all falter? Are
+ you afraid of a mortal?&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;And a Thessalian?&rsquo; added Ganymede.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ No one advanced.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Send for Hercules,&rsquo; said Jove.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I will fetch him in an instant,&rsquo; said Ganymede.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;I protest,&rsquo; said the King of Thessaly, &lsquo;against this violation of the
+ most sacred rights.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;The marriage tie?&rsquo; said Mercury.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;The dinner-hour?&rsquo; said Jove.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;It is no use talking sentiment to Ixion,&rsquo; said Venus; &lsquo;all mortals are
+ callous.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Adventures are to the adventurous,&rsquo; said Minerva.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Here is Hercules! here is Hercules!&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Seize him!&rsquo; said Jove; &lsquo;seize that man.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ In vain the mortal struggled with the irresistible demigod.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Shall I fetch your thunderbolt, Jove?&rsquo; inquired Ganymede.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Anything short of eternal punishment is unworthy of a God,&rsquo; answered
+ Jupiter, with great dignity. &lsquo;Apollo, bring me a wheel of your chariot.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;What shall I do to-morrow morning?&rsquo; inquired the God of Light.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Order an eclipse,&rsquo; replied Jove. &lsquo;Bind the insolent wretch to the wheel;
+ hurl him to Hades; its motion shall be perpetual.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;What am I to bind him with?&rsquo; inquired Hercules.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;The girdle of Venus,&rsquo; replied the Thunderer.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;What is all this?&rsquo; inquired Juno, advancing, pale and agitated.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Come along; you shall see,&rsquo; answered Jupiter. &lsquo;Follow me, follow me.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ They all followed the leader, all the Gods, all the genii; in the midst,
+ the brawny husband of Hebe bearing Ixion aloft, bound to the fatal wheel.
+ They reached the terrace; they descended the sparkling steps of
+ lapis-lazuli. Hercules held his burthen on high, ready, at a nod, to
+ plunge the hapless but presumptuous mortal through space into Hades. The
+ heavenly group surrounded him, and peeped over the starry abyss. It was a
+ fine moral, and demonstrated the usual infelicity that attends unequal
+ connection.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Celestial despot!&rsquo; said Ixion.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ In a moment all sounds were hushed, as they listened to the last words of
+ the unrivalled victim. Juno, in despair, leant upon the respective arms of
+ Venus and Minerva.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ &lsquo;Celestial despot!&rsquo; said Ixion, &lsquo;I defy the immortal ingenuity of thy
+ cruelty. My memory must be as eternal as thy torture: that will support
+ me.&rsquo;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ <br /> <br />
+ </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+
+
+
+
+
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+</pre>
+ </body>
+</html>
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