DEM. I welcome you, my loving true allies, And thank you, who for me your gentle tempers Have stiffen'd in rebellion, and so long Harass'd the foe. Here on this field of flowers I have bid you share my victory or defeat. 700 For Hermes hath this day command from Zeus To lead our lost Persephone from Hell, Hither whence she was stolen.--And yet, alas! Tho' Zeus is won, some secret power thwarts me; All is not won: a cloud is o'er my spirit. Wherefore not yet I boast, nor will rejoice Till mine eyes see her, and my arms enfold her, And breast to breast we meet in fond embrace. CH. Well hast thou fought, great goddess, so to wrest Zeus from his word. We thank thee, call'd to share 710 Thy triumph, and rejoice. Yet O, we pray, Make thou this day a day of peace for man! Even if Persephone be not restored, Whether Aidoneus hold her or release, Relent thou.--Stay thine anger, mighty goddess; Nor with thy hateful famine slay mankind. DEM. Say not that word 'relent' lest Hades hear! CH. Consider rather if mankind should hear. DEM. Do ye love man? CH. We have seen his sorrows, Lady ... DEM. And what can ye have seen that I know not?-- His sorrow?--Ah my sorrow!--and ye bid 721 Me to relent; whose deeds of fond compassion Have in this year of agony built up A story for all time that shall go wand'ring Further than I have wander'd;--whereto all ears Shall hearken ever, as ye will hearken now. CH. Happy are we, who first shall hear the tale From thine own lips, and tell it to the sea. DEM. Attend then while I tell.-- --Parting from Hermes hence, anger'd at heart, 730 Self-exiled from the heav'ns, forgone, alone, My anguish fasten'd on me, as I went Wandering an alien in the haunts of men. To screen my woe I put my godhead off, Taking the likeness of a worthy dame, A woman of the people well in years; Till going unobserv'd, it irked me soon To be unoccupy'd save by my grief, While men might find distraction for their sorrows In useful toil. Then, of my pity rather 740 Than hope to find their simple cure my own, I took resolve to share and serve their needs, And be as one of them. CH. Ah, mighty goddess, Coudst thou so put thy dignities away, And suffer the familiar brunt of men?