She then raked the ashes over him , and turned quietly away . You may imagine , if you can , how Queen Metanira shrieked , thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder . She burst forth from her hiding-place , and running to the hearth , raked open the fire , and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoon out of his bed of live coals , one of which he was gripping in each of his fists . He immediately set up a grievous cry , as babies are apt to do , when rudely startled out of a sound sleep . To the queen 's astonishment and joy , she could perceive no token of the child 's being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain . She now turned to Mother Ceres , and asked her to explain the mystery . `` Foolish woman , '' answered Ceres , `` did you not promise to intrust this poor infant entirely to me ? You little know the mischief you have done him . Had you left him to my care , he would have grown up like a child of celestial birth , endowed with superhuman strength and intelligence , and would have lived forever . Do you imagine that earthly children are to become immortal without being tempered to it in the fiercest heat of the fire ? But you have ruined your own son . For though he will be a strong man and a hero in his day , yet , on account of your folly , he will grow old , and finally die , like the sons of other women . The weak tenderness of his mother has cost the poor boy an immortality . Farewell . '' Saying these words , she kissed the little Prince Demophoon , and sighed to think what he had lost , and took her departure without heeding Queen Metanira , who entreated her to remain , and cover up the child among the hot embers as often as she pleased . Poor baby ! He never slept so warmly again . While she dwelt in the king 's palace , Mother Ceres had been so continually occupied with taking care of the young prince , that her heart was a little lightened of its grief for Proserpina . But now , having nothing else to busy herself about , she became just as wretched as before . At length , in her despair , she came to the dreadful resolution that not a stalk of grain , nor a blade of grass , not a potato , nor a turnip , nor any other vegetable that was good for man or beast to eat , should be suffered to grow until her daughter were restored .
She even forbade the flowers XXXXX bloom , lest somebody 's heart should be cheered by their beauty .
While among for if in over that to with without