And while the three-headed Cerberus was fawning so lovingly on King Pluto , there was the dragon tail wagging against its will , and looking as cross and ill-natured as you can imagine , on its own separate account . `` Will the dog bite me ? '' asked Proserpina , shrinking closer to Pluto . `` What an ugly creature he is ! '' `` O , never fear , '' answered her companion . `` He never harms people , unless they try to enter my dominions without being sent for , or to get away when I wish to keep them here . Down , Cerberus ! Now , my pretty Proserpina , we will drive on . '' On went the chariot , and King Pluto seemed greatly pleased to find himself once more in his own kingdom . He drew Proserpina 's attention to the rich veins of gold that were to be seen among the rocks , and pointed to several places where one stroke of a pickaxe would loosen a bushel of diamonds . All along the road , indeed , there were sparkling gems , which would have been of inestimable value above ground , but which here were reckoned of the meaner sort and hardly worth a beggar 's stooping for . Not far from the gateway , they came to a bridge , which seemed to be built of iron . Pluto stopped the chariot , and bade Proserpina look at the stream which was gliding so lazily beneath it . Never in her life had she beheld so torpid , so black , so muddy-looking a stream ; its waters reflected no images of anything that was on the banks , and it moved as sluggishly as if it had quite forgotten which way it ought to flow , and had rather stagnate than flow either one way or the other . `` This is the River Lethe , '' observed King Pluto . `` Is it not a very pleasant stream ? '' `` I think it a very dismal one , '' answered Proserpina . `` It suits my taste , however , '' answered Pluto , who was apt to be sullen when anybody disagreed with him . `` At all events , its water has one excellent quality ; for a single draught of it makes people forget every care and sorrow that has hitherto tormented them . Only sip a little of it , my dear Proserpina , and you will instantly cease to grieve for your mother , and will have nothing in your memory that can prevent your being perfectly happy in my palace .
I will send XXXXX some , in a golden goblet , the moment we arrive . ''
At above against along as beneath for from on while