You may make yourself perfectly easy about her . She is safe , and in excellent hands . '' `` O , where is my dear child ? '' cried Ceres , clasping her hands , and flinging herself at his feet . `` Why , '' said Phoebus -- and as he spoke he kept touching his lyre so as to make a thread of music run in and out among his words -- `` as the little damsel was gathering flowers -LRB- and she has really a very exquisite taste for flowers -RRB- , she was suddenly snatched up by King Pluto , and carried off to his dominions . I have never been in that part of the universe ; but the royal palace , I am told , is built in a very noble style of architecture , and of the most splendid and costly materials . Gold , diamonds , pearls , and all manner of precious stones will be your daughter 's ordinary playthings . I recommend to you , my dear lady , to give yourself no uneasiness . Proserpina 's sense of beauty will be duly gratified , and even in spite of the lack of sunshine , she will lead a very enviable life . '' `` Hush ! Say not such a word ! '' answered Ceres , indignantly . `` What is there to gratify her heart ? What are all the splendors you speak of without affection ? I must have her back again . Will you go with me you go with me , Phoebus , to demand my daughter of this wicked Pluto ? '' `` Pray excuse me , '' replied Phoebus , with an elegant obeisance . `` I certainly wish you success , and regret that my own affairs are so immediately pressing that I can not have the pleasure of attending you . Besides , I am not upon the best of terms with King Pluto . To tell you the truth , his three-headed mastiff would never let me pass the gateway ; for I should be compelled to take a sheaf of sunbeams along with me , and those , you know , are forbidden things in Pluto 's kingdom . ''
`` Ah , Phoebus , '' said Ceres , XXXXX bitter meaning in her words , `` you have a harp instead of a heart .
Besides To about as at for in of upon with