Sit on
yonder bench, and let us discuss the purpose of your visit."
Woe unto those who sit upon the Chair of Forgetfulness!
Named rightly, even as the waters of Lethe, it cleanses the
mind of all that went before!
And that the bench to which Pluto motioned them.
Pluto poured red wine into waiting glasses, rose to carry it to
them. He nodded to the bench as he approached, reached the wine
toward them.
Pirithousaccepted the glass, moved to the bench. Theseus
frowned. Something was wrong. But what?
Finally he too moved to the bench, joined his friend.
"We came to . . . ." Pirithous was silent, glanced at Theseus.
Shaking his head, he repeated, "We came to . . . ." He could not
continue.
Theseus sat quietly, empty-eyed.
Without a sound Pluto took the wine glasses from lax hands,
called his minion to carry away the glasses and wine.
He sat, looked at his visitors, then turned away.
They waited now for the coming of Hercules.
And Ceres waited, too.
She waited for a champion.
A champion to challenge Pluto's power.
14. Lover's Quarrels
Cupid launched his arrows with careful aim at times, at times
with casual disregard.
Today he launched no arrows.
His quiver was empty.
"Zeus, you've got to straighten out the postoffice. I ordered a
gross nearly an eon ago. And still they haven't arrived! Look at
me! What good am I without my arrows? What is Olympus coming to?"
"Now, now, have patience, Little One.
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