Monologue

Ceres Monologue from Proserpine

From Proserpine by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

female · melancholic · 1:19 min

:My lovely child, it is high Jove's command:– :The golden self-moved seats surround his throne, :The nectar is poured out by Ganymede, :And the ambrosia fills the golden baskets; :They drink, for Bacchus is already there, :But none will eat till I dispense the food. :I must away–dear Proserpine, farewel!– :Eunoe can tell thee how the giants fell; :Or dark-eyed Ino sing the saddest change :Of Syrinx or of Daphne, or the doom :Of impious Prometheus, and the boy :Of fair Pandora, Mother of mankind. :This only charge I leave thee and thy nymphs,– :Depart not from each other; be thou circled :By that fair guard, and then no earth-born Power :Would tempt my wrath, and steal thee from their sight :But wandering alone, by feint or force, :You might be lost, and I might never know :Thy hapless fate. Farewel, sweet daughter mine, :Remember my commands.

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