Demeter and Persephone

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a dream-fact vision of a truth'

DEMETER AND PERSEPHONE:

A Mystery Play

"Myth is a true story because it is a sacred story, not only by virtue of its content but also by the concrete sacral forces which it sets to work."

R. PETTAZZONI

Sri Aurobindo:.

Alone, she harbours the Absolute Power and the ineffable Presence;... calling the Truths that have to be manifested she brings them down from the Mystery in which they were hidden into the light of her infinite consciousness and gives them a form... and a body in the universe.

...all is her manifestation of the mysteries of the Eternal, the miracles of the Infinite;

The aspiration of the psychic being... translates the demand... for the opening of the whole lower nature... to the Divine, for the love and union with the Divine, for its presence and power within the heart, for the transformation of the mind, life, body by the descent of the higher consciousness into the instrumental being and nature. * From Sri Aurobindo's Savitri.

A MYSTERY PLAY

Foreword

The Greek myth of "Demeter and Persephone" is one of the most ancient and venerated ones, the well-known Mysteries of Eleusis having been connected with it. These Mysteries, however, were so strictly guarded, complete silence being enjoined on penalty of death, that we know practically nothing about them. Most of the great men of Greece and later many Romans like Cicero, were initiates, and some of them have spoken about the inner peace and realisation they experienced when participating in the rituals of these mysteries. We have stray remarks about them, like Cicero's "Nothing is higher than these mysteries"; another speaks of them as "mysteries which no man may utter, for deep awe checks the tongue. Blessed is he who has seen them." But no one has described the innermost secrets. And, indeed, "the mysteries of the Eternal" are only for the initiate.

The myth, however, is simply told. It is, of course, older than Homer and Hesiod and has been recounted by them: Persephone, daughter of Demeter and Zeus, is carried off by Pluto, God of the Underworld, with Zeus' consent, when she goes to pluck the narcissus-flower, grown specially for the occasion by Gaia, the Earth-Goddess, at Zeus' behest. Pluto makes her his queen and keeps her as his prisoner. Demeter, in deep sorrow searches for her everywhere and, roaming over the earth in her grief, she arrives at Eleusis. Here, the three daughters of Keleos take her to their home where she heals their little brother and is engaged by Metaneira, their mother, to tend him. Wishing to make the child immortal, she rubs him with ambrosia every night and puts him in the fire, and he grows "like unto a god". The mother, suspicious and uneasy, spies on Demeter and destroys her work. Demeter reveals her godhead and leaves the place. The common story tells of how she goes to ask Zeus to send for Persephone, compelling him to do so by stopping all growth of corn and fruit on earth. Zeus sends Hermes to fetch Persephone and Pluto has to release her, but he has given her seven pomegranate seeds to eat, to assure her return to his realm. There is an Orphic Hymn, however, which speaks of Demeter's descent into Hades. I have not been able to find it or know its substance, but have used the idea, for it holds more real meaning than the other superficial ending of the story.

This myth, like all great myths, is archetypal. A modern writer on Mythology says: "Myth is a true story because it is a sacred story, not only by virtue of its content but because of the concrete sacral forces which it sets to work." Another scholar points out that the true myth is inseparably connected with the cult (the "Mysteries"), that "the past is also now, what was is also a living event," and that in "its twofold unity of then and now it fulfils its true essence." The cult re-enacts "the archetypal event, situated in the past but in essence eternal." "The moment when this myth is realised is the festival of the gods... The gods are at hand, supreme realities of the here and now..." The myth of Demeter and Persephone speaks of the separation of the soul from its Divine Mother-Consciousness and its descent into Matter, (the Greek "hyle"), into Hades. Pluto, Lord of the Underworld, called also "the Nether Zeus", is the entire material Nature which imprisons the soul until the Divine Consciousness descends and redeems it, and all Nature with it. The ancients certainly knew these deeper significances. Plotinus, for instance, says, "the soul descends so that the Divine Principle may follow and shine in the dark world of matter and redeem it." Persephone and her Mother are described as in essence for ever one and inseparable. Persephone plucks the narcissus-flower, the symbol of self-love, the attraction to one's "reflection" in water (matter), and of narcotic influences, and so she descends into the world of matter, "the unlit ocean". Pluto is described as "the Ruler of the Many" indicating the whole of Nature in which "the One devised innumerably to be." He is also called "Zeus of the Underworld." Demeter, the Divine Consciousness has to come into the mortal world to redeem the soul and change all material Nature. The ancient seers seem to have had a sufficiently clear intuition of these fundamental primal truths which are true for all time, for they are eternal. The "Mysteries" are both mysterious and revelatory.

Sri Aurobindo's vision and the knowledge given to us by him and the Mother stand behind the substance of this play, and those who know their works well may find several echoes from them here. It is but natural, isn't it? They are not plagiarisms or imitations; some of these echoes are conscious and deliberate (for what better can we do?), others may have floated in semi-consciously or unconsciously. In The Future Poetry Sri Aurobindo visualises the drama using poetry as its form of expression in future (all his own dramas are poetic plays), and so the traditional dramatic blank verse is used here.

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ACT IV

SCENE 1

A room in Zeus' palace. He is looking out of a large window. Ananke, unveiled, stands a little behind him.

Zeus Behold, Ananke, how the earth has blossomed

Since that gold dawn when thy strong sanctioning word

Put its white seal upon my Will, and I

Sent forth my child divine into those depths,

The rocky dark abyss where Pluto reigns -

My child, my Fire-Soul, to dwell within his Night.

Ananke I saw and sanctioned thy vast, all-wise plan.

Zeus So too, Demeter, loving my pure Will,
Consented to the Separation hard,
And gave our child, a portion of herself,
Self of her self, made of her light and bliss;

- Our single soul of all humanity1
Incarnate in each man and every nation.

Ananke A sacrifice made for thy love, O Zeus;
She's borne the agony of the Parting long.

Zeus Ay, millions of revolutions of Time's wheel

Have turned since then, and now all things on earth

Inwardly dream of my delight and love,

And call down our bright heavens; my Fire-Child

Has built a world of marvel, secretly,

Deep hidden in dark Pluto's yearning heart.

The time approaches, sister, when thou must

Reverse thy great decree.

Ananke I wait thy Will.

Zeus But as we watch the years run swiftly past,
And as the time draws near I see below
A sudden, fearful change, dark ominous clouds
Arise in fitful anger from the deeps,

1. Sri Aurobindo: "...a single soul in humanity of which each man and each people is an incarnation and soul-form..." (S.A.B.C.L., vol. 15, p. 540)

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And move across the earth. Look now, once more,

How thick the shadows pass upon her face.
I hear her cry of anguish. All her joy,
And all her wondrous beauty, all her good,
Are swept in whorls of grimy smoke and dust.
The powers of Falsehood swoop upon her ways,
And spit black poison in the air men breathe...
Look, look, men swell in selfhood, titan pride,
And would bring ruin upon themselves and all
If we don't intervene.

Enter Athene and Aphrodite in great haste, almost breathless. Seeing Ananke, who quickly draws her veil, they turn away with a cry.

Aphrodite and Athene (turning their faces away)

O Lord!

Aphrodite (turning back)

O Father,
Pray, hasten and send forth your heavenly hosts;

All hell is surging up against your Will:

All horrors, gorgon-heads, and Furies dire,

And Stygian glooms, and - oh! I could not bear

The ugly sights... (She covers her eyes and half-swoons)

Zeus Why, Child, where hast thou been?
An exploring trip?

Athene (supporting Aphrodite)

Ay, Father, we dared peep

Into those caverns where no gods can live -

Only Persephone's white Fire-Soul,
And she too knows the pain - we peeped and saw

Those threatening terrors looming up in stealth,
And heard them planning to destroy your world.
O Father, call forth Ares; he and I,
Your warrior-powers, will lead your armies out.
They cannot ever stand against us. Father.

Aphrodite (now recovered)

Or better still, dear Father, hurl down swift
Your thunderbolts and blast them all at once.
Oh, hasten and do something quickly. Father.

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Zeus Be calm, my children. Think you it's so easy?

My lightning-spears of Truth will pierce all things

That are not pure. And these black crafty ones

Know how to hide within men's brains and bodies.

Men harbour them for selfish pleasures, greeds,
And listen to their promptings; they have closed
Their hearts to light. Black Terror prowls over earth.
Only a few still turn to us and cry
And pray that all this evil be removed.
We cannot strike from here lest all the earth
Burn down to ashes; no, it is not thus
We'll crush those wily formidable strengths,
Subtle and cunning beyond man's best idea.
Ah, no, these dangerous powers must be tracked
And slain in their own lair. One must go down.

Gaia (entering hastily)

O Zoeus, my Lord, I've come to thee in prayer.

Deep sorrow chokes my heart and mind and sense,

The Titan forces trample on my breast,

The Furies suck my blood. I cried to thee

Out of my stricken anguished depths. - Didst hear?

Behold my wretched plight; how beautiful

I was, how passing fair my children once,

And now they're tossed by wild and stormy forces,

In madness strange. The evil piles up fast

Upon me. Lord. It would now utterly

Destroy me, and thy world be shattered to bits

Unless thou send thy help.

Zeus O Ancient Gaia,

Have faith and trust, my promise to you stands;

All heaven's beauty shall descend on you,
Once this hard battle's won. Endure a while
The fury and the rage; the nether dungeons
Must now be cleared for ever; all the gold
That's buried in their depths will then be yours,
And all the richest gems. My streams of light
Already flow within your hidden veins.

Gaia But, Lord, the darkness seems to swallow all,

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And everywhere the giant mights prevail.

How can I see the battle's glorious end?

Wilt thou come down to save, with all thy legions?

Zeus There is one only answer.

( Demeter enters ) It is she.

Music: Deep chords as of confirmation.
Demeter walks up to Zeus and kneels at his feet.

Demeter My Lord, thick darkness gathers over the earth.
Grim demon figures stalk upon her roads:

Wild Fear and Falsehood, Ignorance and Hate;

The perilous abysses have thrown up

All their long submerged mire and filthy slime.

My Child cries out to me in agony,

Out of those depths now cry my myriad souls;

What is the remedy, wherein the cure
Of all this evil?

Zeus (very grave) It lies in thee alone.

Thou must descend to earth, if thou wouldst save.
For only Love Divine can now redeem
The fallen earth and make her flower again.
Thou must go down into the Ignorance,
Grow one with mortal man, plunging thy Bliss
Into the suffering depths, and all thy Light
Immerge in Matter's horror dark. So only
That monstrous evil spell can now be broken.

(To Ananke) Ananke, Sister, tell us what thou seest.

Ananke This one truth: she must go.

Demeter (standing up swiftly) My Lord, I'll go.

Triumphant music bursts forth at her words. She walks out immediately.

Gaia (ecstatic, rapt)

Lord, Lord, what sacrifice sublime is this!...
Divinity to take the mortal's load,
And all earth's weight of sorrow, passion, pain...
- 0 Earth, rejoice! Upon thy soil shall tread
Those feet divine whose touch can sanctify
Life's foulest pits and mires. My Lord, I know
Now Earth is safe, and that thy promise stands.

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Forgive that I could doubt, and give me leave.( She bows)

Zeus Go, Gaia, blessed for ever are you now. (Gaia goes out.)

Athene and Aphrodite stand rapt, thrilled, speechless. Marvellous music fills all space, and a hymn of praise arises.

Immortal Love, O Love Divine,

Compassion endless, pure,
Vast Wisdom, Majesty benign,

Thee Goddess we adore.

Queen of the Sun-World, Knowledge, Light,

Creatrix great and wise,
Spouse of the Truth, Supernal Might,

Who mak'st this sacrifice;

Immortal Love, 0 Love Divine,

Who giv'st thyself for us,
Enthroned within our heart's deep shrine,

Dwell ever luminous.

All-Beauty thou and All-Delight,

Upon our earth abide,
Our perfect refuge in the night,

Our Helper, Friend and Guide.

Immortal Love, 0 Love Divine,

All glory unto thee,
All Grace in all the worlds is thine,

All praise, eternally.

Curtain

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SCENE 2

Twilight. At the golden gates of Olympus. The keepers of the gates, twelve
nymphs, in silvery dresses decorated with flowers, are singing and dancing as the
curtain opens. A minute later they come to a halt and disperse.

Nymph¹ Strange and mysterious are the gates we keep,

These gates of clouds, the gates of fair Olympus,
The portals fine 'twixt Time and Timelessness.
Within they open to Eternity,
Without they're flung upon the worlds of Time.

Nymph² And lo! the gods pass in and out untouched,
The bright Immortals visit mortal scenes;

Their glory still unspent, their light undimmed,
They go and watch the Night's dark masquerade
And unconcerned return. Their hearts are free.

Nymph³ But don't you remember that sometime ago

One went forth from our gates who's not returned?

Nymph¹ Demeter, Goddess Supreme - who left in haste
One midnight, quietly, unheard, scarce seen.

Nymph² Yes, only Phila and I saw her pass.

You others sat half-sleepy, we two stood
Guarding each side the gates, most firmly locked.
She came in haste nor stopped nor asked our help,
But straight went and touched the portal on the right,
Which moved ajar - the lock unbroken still -
And so she swiftly passed into the dark.

Nymph⁴ (Phila)

Thick veils she'd wrapped about her, yet through them
So bright her radiance shone, we could not stir
Or speak, struck breathless, dumb.

Nymph² A moment dropped. ,
Then Phila slowly asked me, "Did you see?
It surely was not vision? Did you see?"
"I did," I said, "it was beloved Demeter.
Where has she gone so late? Come, let's go see."
And so we ventured out; 'twas midnight deep;

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But all We saw - a meteor flashing down

The steep dark slopes, crossing the sharp ravines,

The starlit streams, threading the gloomy woods...

Nymph⁴ Down towards earth she went, and in the mists
That rise up from its anguished cry, we lost her.

Nymph¹ And still she hasn't returned. It's very long.

Nymph³ Gods visit earth but briefly, sparkling lights,

Some shining moments, some bright luminous hours.
Why has she not returned?

Nymph² But haven't you heard,

Next morning came a rumour from the palace:

Zeus bade her go, it seems, and she at once

Without demur or hesitation went.

She has work on earth, she will not come back soon.

Nymph³ What work? Where has she gone? Whom could we ask?

Nymph² Here comes Aurora fair, shall we ask her?

Nymph¹ Ay, let us. Surely she has seen her down there.

Aurora (entering slowly)

Pray, let me in, sweet Sisters, I'm perplexed

And know not what to do. I cannot rest,

And brood long hours each day... I'd tell Lord Zeus,

But he sure knows... Yet it is hard to bear,

Oh, hard to see, dawn after dawn, her plight. (She sobs)

Nymph¹ What is it, fair Aurora? What ails you?

Nymph² Many a day we've seen your face downcast

When you come in. What is it? Won't you say?

Nymph³ Could we not help? What is so hard to bear,
Or to behold? Of whom speak you in pain?

Aurora Of our beloved Goddess. She's on earth;

In human guise, unknown, she roams the world,

And tireless labours without respite there.

When my soft rose-light floods the lands and seas,

Day in, day out, I see her wandering still,

As though through all the night she'd worked nor slept.

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And when" I stand a-top the eastern hills,
Often I see her in the vales below,
The rocky hard abysses filled with fog.
From house to house she goes and lights the fire,
And asks each one to seek her Child Divine.
"Search, search," she says, "the night falls dark,
Without the Child Divine your gardens bloom not,
Nor in your fields can any harvests come.
Your works will barren lie, your mind and life;

The springs will fail, the waters cease to flow.
Awake, 0 men, and find the Child Divine."

- Thus speaks her ardent love to everyone.

(Hesperus enters from the opposite side)
0 Hesperus, Star of the Evening, friend,
I'm glad you've come.

Hesperus Just done my usual round.

Aurora

Tell us, dear friend, saw you our sweet Demeter
This evening?

Ay, and countless evenings too.
Ever at work, and toiling, toiling late,
Ploughing the earth and digging up the sods,
Turning the dull black clay. Unwearyingly
She breaks obtruding rocks, prepares the soil,
Opens long sealed up gates and finds fresh paths,
And in the deep-hid caverns lights a flame.
And oft she cries, "Where have you buried her?
0 where have you concealed my Child Divine?"

Hesperus

- But hardly one gives ear. Men know her not.

AuroraAt night-fall does she rest? Where does she sleep?

Hesperus

I know not. But quite oft when I come back

A little later from my evening stroll,

And night's set in, and all life seems asleep,

I see her rising in the upper air,

Her golden robes outspread upon the world,

Gathering and healing all its anguish, pain.

Aurora, Nymphs

0 sweet Demeter!... What divine compassion!

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Hesperus Most strange and true. I do not think she sleeps,
And yet the human load she fully bears,
In a human body, even as mortals do.
She's gone for some deep purpose, that is sure.

Aurora Come, let us go in now. My heart is full.

The Nymphs open the gates. Aurora and Hesperus enter.

Curtain -

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SCENE 3

Evening. A well, half-seen in a corner. Demeter, robed like a common old peasant
woman, seated a few steps away on a rock. Enter three tall graceful girls with
their pitchers, rope, etc. to fetch water. They are sisters; in order of age: Ariadne
19 years old, Phebe 16, Aglaia 13.

All three (singing as they trip along)

Everywhere within the air

Sweet melodies of love;

Honey-bees within the trees,

Birds in the sky above...

Everywhere... within... the air...

Seeing Demeter Aglaia stops abruptly, then the other two.

Aglaia (whispering)

Look, Phebe, someone's sitting there today.
How strange! In all these years we've never seen
A single person here. Who could it be?

Phebe (also whispering)

How beautiful she looks though she seems old.
But it's a stranger sure, no one we know.

Aglaia Shall I go speak to her? She seems so lone

And lost, and sad. Where will she go tonight
In this unpeopled place? Shall I ask her?

Ariadne (wise and steady)

Yes, do, Aglaia, surely we should ask.

Aglaia (advancing)

Mother... (hesitates) how came you here? And who are you?
You seem to be a stranger to this place.

Demeter (very quietly)

Good daughter, it is true, I come from far,
From very far - my country lies beyond...
Good daughter, I am thirsty, give me to drink.

Aglaia (suddenly moved)

Oh, certainly, dear Mother, just a minute.

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(Turning) Quick, Phebe, draw, she needs some water, quick.
They draw. Aglaia takes the pot to Demeter who cups her hands and drinks.

Demeter Zeus bless you children... But, pray, tell me now
What place this is - for I have wandered far.

Aglaia Tell her, Ariadne, you are good at this.

While Ariadne speaks the others fill their pitchers.

Ariadne The town is called Eleusis, it is small,

But Heaven smiles upon it, the air is sweet.
And this is the ancient well, renowned of old,
The Well of Flowers, the Well of Lovely Dances.

Demeter What pretty names, my daughter. Do the girls

Then still come here to dance their beauteous rounds?

Ariadne No longer. Mother. It is quite forgotten -

Though there's a haunting legend told about it.

Demeter Pray, tell me child.

Phebe (interrupting) Good Mother, pardon us,
We shall be late at home. But tell us pray,
Where will you spend the night? What will you do?

Demeter Dear children, I would serve in any house
As helpmate, nurse, the feeder of the fire;

I'd clean and sweeten all the living rooms,
Your inner chambers I would decorate,
Would nourish and bring up your new-born child.
Will any take me in?

Ariadne (to her sisters) Aglaia, Phebe,

You two go quickly back and ask Mamma.
Tell her about this venerable dame
And bring back word to us. I'll stay with her.
Come soon.

(Aglaia and Phebe go out)
(To Demeter) Why, Mother, we're in luck, we need
A lady just like you. Surely Mamma
Will welcome you... (A long pause) You look so heavenly strange,
From which lands do you come?

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Demeter Oh, Child, from far,
So very far you would not know, I think...

Ariadne You look so sad, good Mother...

Demeter Ay, I've lost
My child. No, she's not dead, she's lost, she's gone.

- But come, sit. Child, we have some time to spare,
Tell me the curious legend of this well.

Ah, yes... I told you - it has many names:

Ariadne

The Well of Flowers, of Dances Beautiful.

There's still another name - "The Maiden's Well",

We call it here; the legend's linked with this.

It's said that deep within its waters dark

There dwells a maiden young, most beautiful,

For it's a Maid Divine. - 'Twas long ago

She went in, but even now, on silent eves

Listening long within we seem to hear

A weeping faint, and if we lean and gaze

In steadfast yearning, deep below we see

A silver light. It's a mysterious place.

The water's cool and fragrant, sweet and fresh,

But very few of us come here to draw:

For most it's far to come, and the water's deep.

A most fantastic tale. Do you know, child,
How long ago it was?... A million years? (Laughs)

Demeter

- Earth keeps strange memories of things that pass
In other spheres... Think you, if we look down
We'll see her there? (Rising)

Ariadne (afraid, does not let Demeter get up)

No, no, good Mother, no,
It's too dark now to see. - Oh, nothing's there!
It's but a tale.

Demeter And yet, perhaps, it's true.

Ariadne (puzzled)

What mean you. Reverend One, how is it true?
It really happened thus? How do you...

Aglaia and Phebe burst in, running, shouting.

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Aglaia and Phebe

Ariadne, Ariadne. Here we are.

Ariadne jumps up.

Phebe It's "yes".

Good Mother, come with us, our Mamma bids
You welcome. She'll be happy if you come.

Ariadne Our house is very near. Two minutes' walk.

Demeter (rising)

It's well, dear children. Come then, let us go.

Ariadne takes her pitcher. They go out.

Curtain

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SCENE 4

The front room of the house of Keleos and Metaneira. Metaneira seated on a high
chair with a three-year old child in her arms, gazing absorbed at it. Twilight.
Only one lamp has been lit in a corner. Enter the three girls rapidly. Demeter
stands waiting in the doorway, transfigured.

Aglaia (running in, excited, but speaks softly)

Mamma, Mamma, we've brought her, here she is.

Metaneira (indifferently, without lifting her eyes)

Yes, let her come in, I shall speak to her.

Phebe (almost simultaneously)

She's come with us, Ma, won't you call her in?

She's at the door.

Their eyes turn to the door. A great radiance emanates from Demeter's face.
Her dark robe also suddenly shines brilliantly. A perfume fills the air.

Metaneira (puts down the child and rises, trembling)

Lord Zeus! Whom have you brought?

(She bows her head. The girls stand rapt, gazing. Demeter at once veils her face)
She's very like a goddess. Who is she?... (Pause)
(Recovering, Metaneira takes the child in her arms again.)
Good dame, pray enter and be seated.

(Shows her a chair. Demeter comes in and sits down)
(To Phebe) Child,
Light quickly all the lamps.
(To Aglaia and Ariadne) You two make haste
And lay the table. Bring and serve some food
To our new guest. Good lady, rest awhile.
I hear your journey has been long, from far
You come to us, it's strange, just when I longed
To have some help. Keleos, my lord, is away,
The child is ill. Perhaps you're skilled in herbs
Or other means of healing. Will you see
What can be done? His brow burns red with fever,
His breath has sunk, the eyes are closed.

(She breaks down and sobs) Oh, oh!

Demeter (rising)

Give me the child, dear lady. Do not fear,

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He'll soon be well. I know some little tricks...

(Takes the child in her arms, kisses his forehead long, rubs his limbs, passes
her hand over his head)

Zeus bless thee, child. He needs more air, good lady.

(Takes him to the window)

Ah, there we are. Come, look, he has opened his eyes.
Oh, soon he will be strong and well. Fear not.
Give him some milk to drink. Come, see, he smiles!

Metaneira bends forward in excitement. Demeter gives her the child.

Metaneira Oh, Zeus, my child's alive! Oh, he is well.

The fever's gone, his forehead's cool, he smiles,

He smiles!... You cured him. Mother! With what art? (Pause)

(Awed) Or with what power?... Are you a goddess, then?

In human robes you come to us to help,

But in your eyes there gleams another light,

And your deep voice has other notes, I feel.

Dear Lady, who are you?

Demeter One just like you,
A woman made of flesh and blood. Feel me.

She stretches out her arms.

Metaneira (taking her hands)

You're strong and warm. I thank the gods you've come.

Demeter Now, hasten, lady, give your child his milk,

And let him sleep. I'll watch his sleep tonight.
Tomorrow he'll get up and play, you'll see.

Metaneira How shall I thank you, my good friend?... But come,
You must be worn and hungry. Come and wash,
And eat. The table's laid. You'll have some wine?

Demeter Ah, no, good lady. I do not take wine.

Metaneira (calling)

Girls, bring some milk.
(Turning to Demeter) What is your name, good friend?

Demeter Deo. They used to call me Deo there,
In my far ancient home. It's years ago.

Metaneira Good Deo, eat and rest awhile. I'll go

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And feed the child, and when he falls asleep
Bring him to you. (Calling) Aglaia, where are you?

(Back stage: "Yes, Ma, coming")
Where are you others? (They all run in) Girls, look after Deo,
Serve her and see to all her comforts well.
(To Demeter) Should you need anything, good Deo, let them know.
And, Ariadne, will you then prepare
The second inner chamber, next to mine,
For Deo and the child? For from today
He will be in her care. She'll bring him up.

Ariadne Yes, Ma. (Whispering) Is she not wonderful. Mamma!

Metaneira goes out. The girls start serving Demeter.

Curtain

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SCENE 5

A room in Metaneira's house; two doors, one of which remains closed throughout.
A cradle, a simple bed, a small table with a glass and cups, an arm-chair.
Evenfall. Metaneira and Ariadne walk in slowly, arm in arm, conversing.

Metaneira They should be back in a few minutes now.
How quiet and orderly is all her work,
And every evening an hour's walk they take.
How carefully she sees to all his needs;

She has not been with us so very long,

Yet all who see the child mark how he's grown,

So godlike, bright and strong, and charming too.

Ariadne Oh, he's most lovely. Wondrous are her ways,

She moulds him with her love, I think... Don't you?

Metaneira I do not always understand. She's strange.
I trust her, - but at times I wonder too...
- But come, it's getting dark. I'll light the lamp.
Stir up the fire, Ariadne, the nights are cold;

Then bring their milk and honey - she won't eat.

Ariadne No, Mamma. Hardly does she touch a thing;

She sits with us and tells most lovely tales
While we all eat. She scarcely eats herself.

Metaneira She's strange indeed. ...

Ariadne I'll go and get their things. (Goes out)
Metaneira hurriedly goes to the cradle, then to the bed, and turns over the
pillows and sheets as though expecting to find something; then sits down in
the arm-chair, head in hands.

Ariadne (entering with milk-jug and bottle of honey)

It's boiling hot, Ma. Just in time. They're here.
The child comes skipping in, flowers in both hands. Demeter follows behind.

Child Mamma, Mamma, look, roses! - all for you. (Giving them)
I like red roses, Deo calls them "Love".

Metaneira (taking the flowers and kissing the child)

What lovely flowers, my child. Where did you get them?

Child We went far, far. Mamma. So many flowers!

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We saw the sunset too. All gold and gold!
Mamma, you know, it's like some fairy place;

Deo told me it's the city of the gods.

Metaneira Ah, yes?... Was it so very beautiful?

Child The gardener said to me, "Come, my Apollo,
What flowers do you like?" - But I told him,
"No, Sir, my name is not Apollo, Sir.
But I like roses." Then he laughed a lot!
He wasn't angry a bit. He gave all these.

Metaneira (handing them to Ariadne)

They're beautiful. We'll put them in a vase. (Getting up)
Now it is getting late, you still must bathe
And drink your milk; then off to bed you go.
Deo, you'll see to everything as usual?

Demeter Surely, good lady.

Child Ma, but you forgot
My story. Deo tells me every night
One story, then I sleep. - She also sings.

Metaneira Well, well, it's good. Sleep well, my child. Goodnight.

She bends and kisses him. Ariadne also. They go out.

Demeter Come, Child. Now let us hurry. L
Child (runs and clings to her, embracing her) Deo, sweet Deo.

Curtain falls

When it rises again the child is fast asleep in its cradle. The room is dimly lit with
only the firelight. Demeter takes out a bottle from her robe-pocket, shakes out
something in her palm, then starts lightly massaging the child, singing softly to
herself.

Demeter (anointing the child with ambrosia and intoning)
0 Light of the supernal planes,

All his being penetrate,
Let this ambrosia feed his veins

That he be deathless, godlike, great;

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Immortal youth and beauty shine

Within his limbs and life and thought;

Change human nature to divine,

That Zeus' purpose may be wrought.

She goes to the fire-place, arranges the logs, stirs the fire to make it blaze up
high, then comes and lifts the child from the cradle, takes him and holds him
in the fire.

Demeter (chanting in a deep solemn voice)
0 Fire, weave a potent spell
Over this child and mould him well;

Immortal, Thou, in mortals' sphere,
Make him too like Thee, deathless, here.

(While she is chanting the door at the side slowly opens)

0 Fire, weave a charm of Light,
Bring down the Truth, the Vast, the Right;

Let Power descend from...

Metaneira screams loudly, rushes towards Demeter and snatches away the
child from her. Demeter standing aloof throws off her cloak and reveals her
divinity. A brilliant golden light floods the whole -place. Metaneira trembles
and sinks to her knees. Her scream has brought the three girls running. They
also kneel.

Demeter (to Metaneira)

0 ignorant, unknowing one! Too slow

Are you dull mortals to discern the truth,

Nor have you eyes the inner light to see.

I am Demeter, Friend of all the worlds,

And help and stay and guide of gods and men.

You should have trusted me who came to you

In your great need, - not spied upon me thus.

Your children felt my love and grew in light,

But you are still too close to earthly clay.

It does not easily accept God's truth,

And you have spoilt my work. I would have made

Your child immortal, unaging like the gods.

- But now I have to go. I see I must

Go down into Night's heart, there to uproot

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The source of this unconsciousness in men.
Farewell. Farewell, sweet children. Think of me.

Turns to go.

The Girls (clinging to her)

Oh, Deo, Deo, do not leave us, Deo.

Demeter Remember me, I shall be always with you.

Wraps her coat around her and goes out. Metaneira swoons.

Curtain

Page 56

ACT V

SCENE 1

Faint light. A rocky uneven path with a stream flowing alongside (i.e. on the
other side, invisible). Cyane, the river-nymph (her skin and dress both dark blue)
is lying with her head on a big flat rock, her body behind it. She raises her head,
puts her ear again to the rock, listening; then climbs up and sits on the rock.

Cyane Soft tread of coming feet... Who could it be?

Who could come down this steep and rocky slope
At this dim hour? (She stands up and looks) Surely some traveller, lost,

Has turned by chance this desert way and goes
He knows not where. (Gazes strenuously) Looks like a woman to me.
A woman come this way! I must tell her
How dangerous it is, how dark the path...

- She walks quite fast as though with some set aim,
But seems to limp a bit... I'll wait and see.

She goes behind the rock.

Demeter enters, dressed in a long sombre red robe. Seeing the stream she
stops.

Demeter Most strange! a stream in this harsh desert place!
But, ah! how inky-dark the waters run... (Pauses)

- Why! I should know; this is that ancient stream

That flows from subterranean depths of gloom/

Thick saturated with the silt of earth's

Aeonic past: rank corpses of dead powers,

And buried thoughts, desires; old habits' ghosts

Still gibbering within the stony holds,

Huge rock formations, long unyielding, fixed

Through endless Time - the whole world's fateful load...

(Pauses, contemplative)

- Ay, I must take my draught, I cannot shirk it.

(She stoops over the big rock and drinks, then turns and sits on it)

(wearily) Ah, Lord, the way is long and hard. Dark, dark.

I am so tired... But no, I must endure...

I must bear all, else how will the work be done?...

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Yes, I must go. (Stands up) There is no time to waste.

(Cyane comes forward)
(surprised) Oh, who are you, young one, in this lone place?

Cyane Dear Lady, I'm Cyane, and I live

Within this stream, have lived for ages past.

I beg you, do not go this perilous way,

It goes down, down to the dark nether worlds,

And after a short span, there is no path.

My stream flows down and suddenly drops sheer

Into the sunless seas, the unlit waters;

I never venture farther down the slope.

Pray, do not go. No human being ever

Has gone this way - no, not since Time began.

Demeter Ah, yes, I know, my child, there are no tracks,

But I have work to do, I'll make my way.

Cyane sadly hangs her head; suddenly she sees a trickle of blood.

Cyane Oh, Lady, wait. Your feet are bleeding, look!

Do let me wash and bind them. Some quaint leaves
Grow in the hollow rocks beneath my stream.
I'll go and fetch them. - Else how will you walk
This stony, craggy sharp-toothed ground? Wait, wait,
I'm coming.

She disappears. Demeter sits down again, relaxed. Cyane fetches water in a
leaf-cup and some leaves. While she washes the feet and binds the leaves,
they converse.

Demeter My child, your hands are soft and kind;

May Zeus bless you. (Pauses. Then slowly) Then you have never seen

Through all the ages any being pass
Beside your stream?

Cyane Yes, once, and just that once;

But they were not poor helpless mortals, they.

'Twas aeons ago, but I remember still

So vividly how with a start I turned

And saw a black-fire chariot thunder past.

The dark, the gloomy god was urging on

His glossy-black swift coursers, as though he feared

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To be pursued; and in one arm he held
A shining goddess, stunned or drugged or dead
I could not tell - nor knew I who she was.
But as they passed her girdle slipped and fell
Into my stream. I have it still with me.

Demeter (puts her hand on her heart in pain)
Ah, Lord, my child.

Cyane (surprised)

What is it, dear lady?
Have I hurt you? These leaves burn but a moment
On fresh deep wounds. But then they soothe and heal.

She finishes her work.

Demeter (recovering)

It's well, my child, it was a moment's pang,

It's gone. I'm strong again... (Pauses) So you have still

Preserved that girdle bright through all these years?

It must be very beautiful to see.

Won't you show it to me, my child?

Cyane Why, sure,
I'll go and fetch it instantly. Just wait.

She goes behind the rocks.

Demeter (alone)

Persephone, Persepshone, my child!...
Oh, how long still will it be ere we meet?...

Cyane (returning, holds out the girdle)

See, lady, here it is - as bright and new

As when it fell. She too must shine as bright

In those dark realms! Don't you think so, dear lady?

Demeter She must. - Indeed with careful craft it's wrought:

Its circling bright protection fell from her...

Cyane (offering it)

Pray, take it with you, lady. Bind your robe

With it, you'll walk more easy. And, if, perchance,

You meet her farther down your way - who knows? -

Give it to her and say I kept it for her,

A million, million years! (Laughs)

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Demeter I shall, my child.

(Gets up) And now I must move on. Farewell, sweet girl.

She goes out.

Cyane (waving)

Farewell, farewell, dear lady, may Lord Zeus
Protect you on this unknown, dreadful road.

She stands on the rock, gazing long at the retreating figure.

Suddenly a blackish imp, satyr-like, with long ears and a tail, malignant-
eyed, leaps out from behind a high rock, frightening her slightly.

Imp Wh... ow... oo... Whoo....

Cyane (turns with a start)

So it's you. Spry, you naughty little imp?
Where were you roaming all these days, you scamp?
It's good I'm here to keep your rock-hole clean.
Where were you? Brewing evil, eh?

Imp Ho, ho!

Where was I? Up to some dark mischief, sure.
You think I'll tell you? (Titters)

Cyane (indifferently)

Pooh! as if I care.

Imp I'll tell you, sweet, if you will dance with me.
Come, let us dance.

Cyane Good, that's a bargain.

She stretches out her arms and starts singing. They dance a couple of rounds
of a simple country dance.

Cyane (standing off) . Well?

Imp Well!... I was spying, girl. A good smart job
For a clever imp like me. But many more,
Hundreds of us are very busy now.
Our gloomy Titan masters drive us hard -
Ay, not a moment's rest. The times are bad,
Most critical and strained. A war is on.

Cyane A war? What are you babbling about? A war?

Imp Yes, yes, a war; you do not understand?

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A battle, terrible grim battles, girl. (Mystifying)
Who do you think it was, passed by just now?
- That majesty in worn-out peasant robes?

Cyane (anxious)

Who was it? I did want to ask, you know,
But found no courage in my heart. I couldn't.
She looked so unapproachable, so far.

Imp So, so!... Well, I'll concede to tell you, mouse.
She is a goddess in disguise. Look sharp!

Cyane A goddess! Why, I thought so too, a second;

She drank of this dark stream, yet kept her strength;

Another would have swooned - it's charged with woe.

(Pause)
(wonderingly) But then... her feet were bleeding. How?...

Imp (interrupting) Why, fool,

That's just the worst of it - her human guise;

Most dangerous, deceptive. We have tracked -
Thousands of us - tracked her all over the world.
She went from house to house and lit bright fires.
She's created storms, upheavals, everywhere.
And now she's on her way to those last forts
Of our dark masters, to those sunless lands.

Cyane But I don't understand. Why should she take
A human body? It's more difficult -
Her feet were bleeding sore, she was so tired -
She has to bear its anguish, all its pain.

Imp (looking wise)

That's true, but only so can she release
Her child.

Cyane What do you mean? Her child? What child?

Imp Persephone, Queen of the Underworld -

(mystifying) Her human part, a portion of herself.
She's locked up in the caverns underneath,
Old Pluto's prisoner.

Cyane (aside) Heavens, so it was she!

(to Imp) But where do you get all this knowledge. Spry?

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Imp Lurking around unseen and giving ear;

I listen when the elders talk! I mean

My Titan masters - they, I guess/ should know.

Zeus flung them down into the nether pits,

And they are wroth with him and seek revenge.

But though they haunt the human world for this,

Their strongholds are deep in the inconscient realms.

It's there she's gone. - I must say she is brave!

Cyane (climbs up the rock and looks)

Great Zeus, she's gone so far in this short time.
She's entering that horrid tunnel's mouth,
That leads deep underground. Oh, I'm afraid!

Imp Don't be a fool!... But I must run along.
There are so many intricate dark lanes
Down there. And to lose sight of her would mean
Sure death for me. They'll blow me up.

Cyane Look, Spry,
Another imp is also following her.

Imp Yes, we are many on the job. So long!

He runs out.

Curtain

Page 62

SCENE 2

A vast wilderness of black jagged stones and grey sand. In one corner, backstage,
a small tunnel-mouth, so low that a man would have to bend to get in. Dim light.
A goblin, about 41 feet tall, dressed in a dirty grey and fawn, evil-looking,
sharp-eyed, with hooks for hands and claw-like feet, is prowling around,
searching the ground for something, looking behind the huge rocks.

Goblin No trace, no mark, no sign. Where could she be?
- A dream, dissolved in air? or real fact?
(puffing) They've sent me on this wild-goose chase, those damned

Dark Lords. They take the life out of us, ooh!

(A thick fog starts spreading as he speaks)

I We labour and they drink our sweat and laugh.
I hate them. But I must obey. Perchance
Were I to miss some indication faint,
They'd whip or flay me. It gives me the shivers.
I search and search. Oh, I can see no more.
What an untimely fog!... (turns and listens) Do I hear steps?
(agitated) Damn it! Who is't? My, I must hide, I'm done.

Jumps behind a rock.

Enter Hylon, a military figure in dull dark-red and black. He carries a
dagger and has a military demeanour. He seems to have seen a movement as
the goblin slipped away.

Hylon (gazing hard at the rock)
Who's there? Come out at once or give the word.

(There is no reply)
Quick, don't you hear me? I'm Captain of the Guard.
Beware!

Goblin (coming out)

The deuce!

Hylon Ay, that's the word. All's well,

I can now blow away the fog I made. (The fog disperses)
I had to hide myself. Saw you afar.

Goblin (relieved)

You, Captain? It's you! What is going on?
How could you leave the Fort?

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Hylon The troop is there.
I had to come myself. Queer apprehensions.
All's tense down there. Have they not warned you yet?

Goblin Ay, ay, we're on the look-out all the time,
Some hundreds of us. War hangs in the air.
Up there, in the human world we have good fun,
Clutching at men with these sharp hooks of ours,
If any time we find a little hole
In their sincerity. - But here, oh, here... (he pauses)

- Why have you come up here?

Hylon I'll tell you why.
Last evening some of us were strolling along
The hill-top ridge above our lord's Black Castle,
When very far I spotted a moving dot,
Far in the farthest desert on earth's edge.
It seemed to come our way. We looked and looked.
It was no shadow, no. A human being!
We watched in consternation: man? a man?...
And as we gazed, the form all suddenly
Vanished from sight. What? Who was it? A spy?
I had to come myself. Yes, danger's close.
There have been prophecies. The Dark Lords know.

- What have you folks been doing?

Goblin We have searched
For tracks, signs, everywhere: in all the caverns,
The wild-beast lairs and lower hollows, holes;

But found no slightest trace. - But don't you know
It is a woman. Captain? - so they say.

Hylon A woman! Well, I'm blowed!... (excited) Sure, Pluto knows;

He does not speak. He gave me leave to go
But did not say a word. I wonder why....

Suddenly they hear sounds and turning round see two imps tumbling out
from the tunnel and falling flat, one of them half-faint. The other picks
himself up, breathing heavily, and looks round. It is Spry. The captain and
the goblin go over to meet him.

Hylon Ah! two of our smart spying squad! Well, well,

What's brought you to this state? Hiding in there

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And spying on us, eh? Been at it long?

Goblin (interrupting)

But, no! A while ago I'd looked in there
Some ten feet deep. No one was there, I'm sure.

Spry (panting still)

Of course no one was there! We've just arrived.

' Hylon Arrived? From where? Where were you all this time?

Spry (drawing painful breaths)

Inside that gruesome tunnel, hard behind

That woman - nay, that goddess - trailing her

Through all its myriad stony passages.

Black horror! stinking lanes of putrefaction,

Filled with strong wild-beast smells and bat-like forms.

She threaded all the horrible tangled maze,

And now is in the last deep winding's mire.

- How could she do it? It's another strength.
But even so I doubt she'll manage that.
We chaps, so used to filth, could hardly stand it.
So many of us were upon the trail;

The darkness was so thick, so sticky, foul,

Some went back, others dropped, some are lost there;

We two could bear it no more, and cut through.

- That fellow's almost dead. (Pointing to the other imp)

Goblin (pointing to the tunnel) Oh, look! Look there!
Is that some light emerging from that hole?
Do they have torches there?...

Spry (tittering wisely, but still out of breath)

What an idea!
Why, it is she! - It is her light, you fool.
She walks by it, it goes before her feet.

- She'll soon be here, then. - Let's remove this chap,

And hide and watch. - We cannot go too close,

This white light bums. - Take good care, friends. I know!

They hide behind the farthest rocks as Demeter, bending low, emerges from
the tunnel. She draws a long breath, sits down on a low rock, leaning
against the tunnel wall, and relaxes. She looks extremely tired.

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Demeter Lord, Lord. What terrible suffocation, ah!

Such narrow, cramping alleys, filthy, blind,
Such fetid poisonous air! Ah, now at last
One can take breath again.

Hylon (in hiding place) What shall we do?
Surround her, take her captive?

Spry (mocking) Yes, just try!
You'll be reduced to ashes - promptly. Sir.
It won't take time. This light cannot be touched,
I've told you once. I've seen what happened there.

Hylon (obsessed)

I don't believe it! All you imps are cowards.

What can she do? No human being can

Survive down here. - She's weary, broken, spent,

We have a chance to seize her. (He moves as if to leap forward)

Spry (hastily pulling him back) Don't attempt it.
It's foolish. Sir. It means sure death, I know.
- But hush, she speaks again.

Demeter Much work is done,
Oh, painful, yes, but done with love and joy, -
The age-old subterranean passages
Of all the world are cleared, the buried dirt,
The labyrinths of shame. The Light has plunged
Deep in, it's gleaming there, the way is made.
Yet, more work's to be done. - Lord, it's Thy Will...

She rises and as she does so a bright white light shines around her,
enveloping her.

Goblin (in hiding)

A great light shines about her, I'm afraid.
Let's go still farther back, hide in some hole.
It's dangerous here.

Hylon (shaken, shuddering)

Ay, get back farther, quick.

They withdraw.

Demeter (advancing slightly)

A new strength fills my limbs, a new light floods

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My being. I must go down deeper now
And cross the last and grimmest tract/ and reach
The last dark fortress where my Child lies hid.
All Heaven and Earth await the vast release,
The shining Light locked up in Pluto's jails.
I must move on.

As she steps forward two stupendous Titanic forms arise from underground
caverns a few feet away. Behind them come two small black forms with bat- "
like wings.

Titan¹ (confronting her) We cannot let you pass.

Demeter (stopping short) Ah!

Titan² (loud, blustering) Ay, that is the Law. No human creature
Can tread on Hades' ground. Here only shades
Can pass. That is the Law, the Law of old.

Demeter (quietly) But is there no new Law?

Titan¹ Defy us not,

Woman, no mortal ever has passed this way.
We will not let you go. You cannot pass.

Demeter Why not?

Titan¹ It's our realm. What do you want here?

Demeter Ah, everything. I go to free my Child,

The Jewel-Light grim Hades has imprisoned,
And all the precious gems and gold he has hid.

Titan² But that's impossible, you cannot reach
Old Pluto's stronghold in the deeps.

Demeter Why not?

Titan¹ There are the four great barriers you must cross,
Our terrible four rivers circling round
His rocky Fort - invincible protection
Against intruders. - Will your vaunting loud
Cross Phlegethon's black fires that scald the flesh,
And Cocytus that carries the cosmic grief,
River of sad and endless lamentation?
And wild tumultuous Styx of hatred dire,

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And Acheron, torrential, dismal flood
Of deep-sunk, sweltering falsehood?
Say, will you cross them? Will you dare?

Demeter I will.

Titan¹ You cannot. We are the Iron Lords of Doom,
The Titan Kings, the Guardians of Old Law.
The Law makes one condition: Only he
Who drinks the bitter draught of anguish, hatred,
Who drains the final cup of venomous falsehood,
He alone can pass. - No mortal has that power.

Demeter I have drunk the cup and once again shall drink.
Give it to me. I must pass onwards. Haste.

Titan¹ (turning to his retainers)

Go, fetch the waters from both our streams. Fly!
(To Demeter) I am the Lord of Styx, the poisoned river;

Will you then drink the horror of man's hate

That cuts through flesh and nerve? Take heed, beware!

0 mortal, you will swoon and die.

Demeter And yet
Must I drink it, if so your Law requires.
I'll keep the Law that I may break it so.
For only so will your stream flow with love,
The love that is your truth divine, of old,
The Love that fashioned and sustains the worlds.
Give me the cup.

Titan 2 (mockingly) Ha, ha! What high-pitched talk,
Poor woman! Nay, first have a taste of mine,
Lest his cup finish all your bravery
At one straight gulp! - But mine... it will not kill:

These waters of the cosmic agonies
Prolong the torture endlessly; they give
Not death's release. Come, try mine first, let's see!

The lackeys bring in two cups and pitchers.

Demeter Give it to me; for this indeed, I've come.

Many a time the vast world's grief has flowed
Into my heart, I've borne its agony.

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And now this final quintessential draught
I'll take. It's nothing to me.

Titan 2 (pouring out a cupful) Don't boast thus.

Here, drink, and show your wondrous strength and power.

Demeter It's not for this I take your cup, blind spirit,

But that your waters change to streams of joy... (pauses)
You are the elder gods, you too, divine.
Remember, and once more be your true selves.
In wrath you stormed, revolting foolishly
Against Zeus' luminous Will; you broke the bond,
Cut yourselves off from your own Love and Joy,
And live in self-made prisons, chained to woe;

Volcanic fury ever consumes your being.
But now it's time; stand back, and know, and see.
Take off your fearful robes of grief and hate,
Be once again the Shining Ones. Return.

Titan¹ Ah, tell us not these things we know too well.
Drink first, and let us see. (Holds out his cup)

Titan² Drink first, come on. (Gives his cup)

Demeter takes both cups, slowly drains both, and hands them back.
Moments of tension as they wait. Nothing happens. Then the light around
her grows very bright. Soft music.

Titan 1 suddenly throws off his black cloak, revealing the bright gold under
it, and kneels before her.

Titan¹ I see and know. I give myself to you,
Goddess of Love.

Titan² (throws off his cloak and kneels)

All sorrow's dead, and I
Return to kiss your feet, 0 Joy Divine.

Curtain

Page 69

SCENE 3

Pluto's throne-room. The thrones on a pedestal in left foreground. A thick screen
hangs behind them. Entrance - cavern opening - at farthest right, back-stage.
Pluto's seat, to Persephone's right, is vacant. Persephone on her throne, now
unveiled, exceedingly beautiful, but with arms and legs still shackled. She is in
trance. Many little beings in bright dresses of yellow, purple, red, stand before
and around her in fine formations.

As curtain rises a deep chanting comes from behind

From the unreal lead me to the Real,
From the darkness lead me to the Light,
From death lead me to Immortality.

Persephone (slowly opening her eyes)

Ah, Lord, I've yearned and cried day after day,

And prayed night after lonely night. Now all

Is purified, prepared, made beautiful... (pauses)

— I woke up from a vision: Mother's here,

I shall be free, entirely free, and hers,

And you my friends who have been faithful, true,

Shall all be filled with light. Her Joy shall flow

Within our hearts, her Love's deep rapture thrill

Our every vein. Strengthen yourselves, my friends,

Be ready to receive her touch divine.

I know She comes. She's very close. She's here.

Leader of the Small Beings

0 Queen, you've changed our ignorant minds and hearts
Already, with your love. We know, we see
The loveliness that dwells behind all things.
We are united round you, we are prepared.

Persephone It's well. The time draws close. I feel Her near.
Ah, all the walls will break, we shall be One. ...
My vision will come true. Ay, it is time.

Suddenly sounds of huge rocks crashing outside. The earth shakes and
Persephone's shackles break and come clanging down. Persephone rises with
quiet grace and stands at the centre of the pedestal. A beautiful light
surrounds her. All the small beings gather around in ordered patterns,

Page 70

clinging to the hem of her long flowing white robe.

Pluto comes rushing in. The beings make way for him at once and briskly

withdraw.

Pluto (awed, stands at a distance)

Persephone, beloved mine, you're safe!...

- Why, yes, of course, I should have known it. Love,

This is the one safe place, my dear, your cave.

My castle is in ruins, the ramparts fallen,

The gates stand open without bar or bolt,

The armoured sentinels lie aswoon in fear.

It is your Mother's power, none else can cause

This Iron Fort of mine to crumble thus.

She could not now be very far from here.

- I knew She'd come one day.

Persephone (very quietly) I know She's come.

Pluto (noticing her broken chains)

Oh, what! Your fetters have been broken too!
Who freed you?

Persephone As these rock-foundations shook,
My shackles broke and fell. Yes, I am free.

Pluto Free? Free! - Persephone, you will not leave me?

(Suddenly kneels) Ah, no, how could you? We are one for ever.
Say, will you now forsake me, my beloved?
Go back and leave me to my ancient doom?
Soul of my soul. Light in our nether deeps,
Queen of the World-Cave, are you not yet bound,
Chained fast to us by your pure silent love?
(He takes out a red pomegranate from his cloak pocket and holds it before her)
Have you not eaten the seeds of sacrifice,
The passion-fruit of Love Divine? Ah, Sweet,
Eat once again that I may know for sure
You will unfailingly come back to us.

He offers her some pips. She eats.

Persephone I shall. Arise, be seated on your throne,

You still are king and master of these realms.
And when my Mother comes, all things will change.

Pluto stands up and sits now to Persephone's left. She also sits down.

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Hylon (rushing in, much agitated)

Master, 0 Master - (hesitates) pardon me, there's haste.
Strange, terrible things have happened - oh, I'm gone -
I cannot speak. (He slumps limply to the floor)

Pluto Be calm, wait, captain, wait,

Take breath. - You need not stand, no, sit and speak.

Hylon Oh, Master, did the brief report I sent
Last evening reach you?

Pluto Yes, it did... (Pauses) And so
That woman could prevail over our Dark Lords
And win them back?

Hylon Yes, Master, she overcame
The Lords of Hate and Sorrow; they both knelt
Before her and were changed to gods. — Indeed/
We saw it with our open eyes.

Pluto And then?

Hylon (standing up)

Oh, then she stepped out in the vacant vast/
Her eyes fixed far ahead as though she saw
Her journey's end, your very fortress. Master.
There shone so great a light around her, we
In fear crouched far behind. But soon, with speed
She moved across the stony wilderness;

We followed her afar. Two streams of light
Flowed in the ancient darksome river-beds;

She walked upon the waters with swift ease,

And then she crossed the burning sands that stretch

To Phlegethon's wild spuming stream. Her feet,

Already wounded on the jagged stones,

Still bleeding, tender, were now fiercely scorched

At every step of shuddering agony...

He breaks off as Persephone utters a faint cry and rises, her hand upon her

heart, in deep pain.

Persephone I'll go within awhile.

Pluto (standing up and giving his hand) Ah, Love, this tale
Is not for you.

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She withdraws through the thick screen behind the thrones. Pluto nods to
Hylon to continue.

Hylon Each step, we saw, she took
In utter anguish. And there the Titan Lord
In huge black fires arose, confronting her,
And barred her way. (He stops for breath)

Pluto It's well. I let escape
The Iron Kings on purpose, opening wide
My nether dungeons. - For the end is near.

Hylon Master?... the end? What end? Whose end?

Pluto Proceed,
What happened then? Did those wild fires of his
Frighten and turn her back? - Or burn her up?

Hylon No, Master, no. Bright piercing rays of light

Shot through his being, and he sank dissolved,
Within his stream, which sparkled flames of Life.
And so she crossed again.

Pluto (contemplative) Ah, then, he's gone?
Well, well, he's done his work. The others too -
My great volcanic lords! - Go on.

Hylon Then rose

From Acheron the fourth, most dreadful Lord,
The Lord of Falsehood, wrapped in poisonous fumes.
We gazed all petrified, and thought she'd swoon
And break at last, so horrid was that shape.
But she with concentration's inner power
Fashioned a lance of light and flung it straight
At the black Titan's head and struck him down.
And as he fell the Truth-ray touched his stream,
And Acheron ran gold. - And she crossed over.

Pluto 0 marvellous Light of Truth, nothing can resist

Its conquering power... (To Hylon) What more have you to tell?

Hylon She crossed, and even as she set her foot

Upon the other shore, the whole land quaked,

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And a terrific trembling knocked down all.
We saw afar the turrets of your Fort
Collapsing in a thunderous fall, and, oh!
The Dragon black that lay for ages coiled
Around our Castle woke and spread its wings,
And in one flame of gold soared into heaven.

Pluto (calmly) Ah, is it so? And where's the woman now?
Did she not tumble with the rest and sink
Deep buried midst those rocks still rumbling far?

Hylon Oh, Master, hasten, she's alive and comes,

She's on her way here over the broken fields.
Remember those strange prophecies of old:

She comes to conquer. Oh, make haste, prepare
To fight, we're with you, ready at your call.

Pluto Hylon, it's much too late now, don't you think?
All my gigantic sure defences lie
Shattered to pieces. Ay, those portals strong
Will never close again. The time has come.
- Go now and rest, for soon it will be Dawn.
Hylon salutes and goes out. The next moment he returns, running.

Hylon Oh, Master, she is coming, she is here.
Whatever shall we do?

Pluto Be calm, my friend,
All's well. She comes but to deliver us
And fashion us anew. Fear not. All's well.

Hylon goes out again

Pluto sits gazing steadily at the cave-entrance. Slowly a few deep chords of music
drift in and a bright white light fills the aperture. Then a melody as of heavens
opening, and Demeter stands there in a gloriole. Profound silence for a minute.
Two torches from either side of the entrance shoot out, crossing, and bar her way.
Pluto rises and walks up to her.

Pluto 0 woman, nay, 0 goddess - though thou hide
Within a mortal cloak - what wouldst thou here?
In war thou comest slaying the Titan Kings,
Destroying all my battlements of old.,

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What is thy purpose?... My appointed powers
Shall test thy truth ere thou canst enter in:

This is the hall of final, naked Justice.
(Calling) Come, search her. Furies.

Five fierce-looking figures with torches emerge from either side and search her up and down.

Furies (slowly) Clear, and true, and pure.
Their dark robes fall away and they change to figures of light.

Pluto It's well. Thou mayest enter. (She comes in) Why hast thou
Put on this mortal cloak? Dost think thou canst
Beguile me thus? Are mortal cloaks not frail?

Demeter Pretendest not to know? 'Twas for my work:

For only as one human could I touch
These utter depths of thine and conquer them.

PlutoWhat wouldst thou in this Kingdom of the Dead?

DemeterPut off thy dark pretence,)O shadowy King,

King of the so-called dead. There is none dead,
Nothing inanimate. Unseal thy eyes,
Brother of Zeus, Dark King, awake and see
How all things live and speak and throb with love,
How radiant beauty smiles from every heart,
As all grows in and knows its inmost truth.

(A light enfolds her as she speaks)
I have lifted all the veils and all things shine,
And breathe delight from my transmuting touch.
Thy realm of pale illusions fades away,
Revealing the gold reality it bears.

Pluto (entranced)

Demeter, Goddess, Queen of Heaven and Earth,
O Sister mine, within the depths profound
Of my sealed heart, I've always awaited thee.
For ages and for ages have I longed
For thy auspicious coming. - Thine's this throne,

(showing his own)
And all my realm is thine, all ready for thee. (He kneels)

Demeter Arise, reveal thy true god-self, for thou art He,

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Thou too art Zeus. Restore thyself and cast

The robes of ignorance, and be all gold.

Be thou thy truth, release the light within,
Cleave these dark rocks and let the bright streams flow,
Truth's waters purify the fields of Night.
Release the buried Sun, unlock the gems,
The golden coin Zeus flung abroad in joy,
And Darkness stole and hid within thy caves.
Release Persephone, my beloved Child,
The world's bright soul, its beauty, life,
Its seed of Truth, and all our Joy and Love.
Give her now back to me, to all the earth,
That there be spring-time on the earth once more.
Arise, Zeus of the Underworld, arise, (she touches him)
Return in love and show thy face divine.
For this did I pass through Hell's agony,
And come down here, that thou mightst change at last.

She touches him again. Pluto rises shining in gold-red, his dark robes drop off.

The whole cave is flooded with brilliant light.

Pluto Demeter, thy sweet touch unveils my truth;

Behold me now, and look upon my realm.
Thy daughter, my Beloved, has changed all;

All things are full of her, my heart is hers.

Her beauty and her love have worked through aeons,

Refining, purifying everything,

Turning our dark to light, our pain to joy.

I have a world of wonder and delight

To lay before thy feet, a gift of worth.

I open for thee all my dungeons deep,

And all their buried treasures, secret lights,

The jars of the immortal nectar sealed

And put away in cellar-crypts below,

The jewel-suns Zeus hid within my house

And trusted me to keep when Time began.

- It's thine, all thine, I give thee all the keys

For thou hast broken all the iron chains,

And crossed the streams of falsehood, sorrow, death,

And brought deliverance to my world and me

From the long aeonic binding in the Night.

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- And now, O Goddess, who hast gathered us
Unto thy wondrous Love and Grace divine,
I give to thee my very soul and life,
The dearest Jewel-Light within my cave...

(He pauses. Then calls in a deep, steady voice)
Persephone, come forth. (Tense silence. He calls again)

Persephone!

(Deep silence. All is still, no movement)

Does she not hear me?- No, I understand,
No longer will she come now at my call,
She's thine to take, no longer mine to give.
Call thou and she will come. The Word is thine.

Demeter (very quietly)

It's true. - The dark night's over. All the world
Awaits the new Sun-Birth, her golden Spring.
My Lord's great work is done. His Will fulfilled;

It is the hour of union. - (Calls) Child, come forth,
For I have come to thee.

The screen behind the thrones is rent and Persephone rushes towards Demeter.

Demeter (opening her arms) My child!

Persephone Mother!

They are locked in a long close embrace. Beautiful solemn music bursts forth simultaneously, and from all the walls come out in blazing light shining gods and goddesses. The small beings who had withdrawn at the beginning of the scene file in again and at a distance form bright patterns around.

Curtain

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