:Thy fate, sweet Proserpine, is sealed by Jove, :When Enna is starred by flowers, and the sun :Shoots his hot rays strait on the gladsome land, :When Summer reigns, then thou shalt live on Earth, :And tread these plains, or sporting with your nymphs, :Or at your Mother's side, in peaceful joy. :But when hard frost congeals the bare, black ground, :The trees have lost their leaves, & painted birds :Wailing for food sail through the piercing air; :Then you descend to deepest night and reign :Great Queen of Tartarus, 'mid shadows dire, :Offspring of Hell,–or in the silent groves :Of, fair Elysium through which Lethe runs, :The sleepy river; where the windless air :Is never struck by flight or song of bird,– :But all is calm and clear, bestowing rest, :After the toil of life, to wretched men, :Whom thus the Gods reward for sufferings :Gods cannot know; a throng of empty shades! :The endless circle of the year will bring :Joy in its turn, and seperation sad; :Six months to light and Earth,–six months to Hell.

Iris Monologue from Proserpine

Rehearse Iris's monologue