The Infernal Marriage

The Infernal Marriage, by
Benjamin Disraeli

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Title: The Infernal Marriage
Author: Benjamin Disraeli
Release Date: December 3, 2006 [EBook #20003]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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THE INFERNAL MARRIAGE
By Benjamin Disraeli
Proserpine was the daughter of Jupiter and Ceres. Pluto, the god of

Hell, became enamoured of her. His addresses were favoured by her
father, but opposed by Ceres. Under these circumstances, he surprised
her on the plains of Enna, and carried her off in his chariot.

THE INFERNAL MARRIAGE


PART I.
A Sublime Elopement
IT WAS clearly a runaway match--never 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 her 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 flowery 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!' exclaimed 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 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 bachelor's 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 Parcæ. They are
accomplished, 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 taking 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 o'er the
extending walls of the city; a watch-tower or a battlement occasionally
flashing forth, and forcing their forms through the 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