In a very short time , they had passed the great gateway -LRB- leaving the three-headed Cerberus , barking , and yelping , and growling , with threefold din , behind them -RRB- , and emerged upon the surface of the earth . It was delightful to behold , as Proserpina hastened along , how the path grew verdant behind and on either side of her . Wherever she set her blessed foot , there was at once a dewy flower . The violets gushed up along the wayside . The grass and the grain began to sprout with tenfold vigor and luxuriance , to make up for the dreary months that had been wasted in barrenness . The starved cattle immediately set to work grazing , after their long fast , and ate enormously , all day , and got up at midnight to eat more . But I can assure you it was a busy time of year with the farmers , when they found the summer coming upon them with such a rush . Nor must I forget to say , that all the birds in the whole world hopped about upon the newly-blossoming trees , and sang together , in a prodigious ecstasy of joy . Mother Ceres had returned to her deserted home , and was sitting disconsolately on the doorstep , with her torch burning in her hand . She had been idly watching the flame for some moments past , when , all at once , it flickered and went out . `` What does this mean ? '' thought she . `` It was an enchanted torch , and should have kept burning till my child came back . '' Lifting her eyes , she was surprised to see a sudden verdure flashing over the brown and barren fields , exactly as you may have observed a golden hue gleaming far and wide across the landscape , from the just risen sun . `` Does the earth disobey me ? '' exclaimed Mother Ceres , indignantly . `` Does it presume to be green , when I have bidden it be barren , until my daughter shall be restored to my arms ? '' `` Then open your arms , dear mother , '' cried a well-known voice , `` and take your little daughter into them . '' And Proserpina came running , and flung herself upon her mother 's bosom . Their mutual transport is not to be described .
The grief XXXXX their separation had caused both of them to shed a great many tears ; and now they shed a great many more , because their joy could not so well express itself in any other way .
across as behind into of that till to until upon