“We will now go to the Milky Way, that broad stream of sparkling stars
that sweeps through the heavens like a mighty river and on either side
of which are reared the palaces of the gods, goddesses, and heroes of
Greece and Rome,” said Mercury.
“What! You don’t mean to tell us that the gods and goddesses of old live
here?” exclaimed Ione.
“Certainly I do; and they live in regal splendor as of yore. What is
more, you are going to be in time to see them start on their yearly
journey to Mount Olympus. The procession they form is considered one of
the grandest sights of the heavens and one which none of the planet
people would voluntarily miss seeing. The gods and goddesses, heroes and
heroines sweep down the Milky Way in magnificent floats or barges of
gold and silver incrusted with precious stones, while those looking on
line the shores or sit in boats at anchor, for no one is allowed the
freedom of the Milky Way while the procession is passing,” said the
guide.
“Oh, what a spectacle it will be!” said the Princess.
“It certainly is one of the most gorgeously magnificent pageants I have
ever witnessed,” said Mercury.
“Are you sure we shall be there in time?” asked Ione. “I would not miss
it for worlds.”
“Yes, we can easily reach there if we do not tarry on our way.”
“Well, we will pass things by even if we have to return to see them
later,” said Harold.
“All ready then. One, two, three, and we are off for a cloud bank that
juts out into the Milky Way making a fine point for us to view the
entire procession as it turns the bend,” said the guide.
In less time than it took them to count one, two, three, they were at
their destination and were barely seated when the Princess exclaimed,
“Sh! I hear strains of music,” and looking in the direction from which
the sounds came, they saw a beautiful float gliding smoothly along. On
it were standing twelve youths and twelve maidens playing upon golden
harps and horns. They were crowned with roses, while violets and myrtle
were profusely festooned about them. The youths had only a spotted
leopard skin thrown across their shoulders while the maidens were
attired in filmy white slips with belts of blue ribbon.
Following them came Jupiter in all his royal splendor like some
conquering king or hero. His jeweled chariot was drawn by four
milk-white horses; his robes were royal purple lined with spun gold and
bordered with precious gems. On his head he wore a helmet of gold on
which with outstretched wings rested an eagle—a bird dedicated to him by
the ancients.
Juno, wife of Jupiter and Queen of the Heavens, came next, attended by
her faithful messenger, Iris, with wings of gold and robe of rainbow
hues. She hovered at the side of her mistress who rode in a chariot
drawn by peacocks, her favorite fowls.
Mars followed in a chariot of burnished brass drawn by fiery horses. He
was dressed as a warrior armed for battle with red breast-plate, and
shield upraised. On his war-bonnet perched a woodpecker while at his
feet crouched a wolf. Both the woodpecker and wolf are sacred to Mars.
Twelve white pigeons heralded the approach of Venus in her pink-tinted
shell-chariot emblazoned with emeralds, pearls, and corals, and drawn by
snow-white swans, which were dedicated to her by the ancients. Her robe
was of palest green, sprinkled with pearls and embroidered to represent
seafoam. A magic girdle encircled her waist. In her hands she carried
violets and maidenhair ferns. At her side stood a basket of
pomegranates, sweet pears and figs. As the chariot passed, one could
scent the perfume of thyme, myrtle, and musk, perfumes especially
pleasing to her, as was the flavor of the fruits at her side.
Then came Mercury, son of Jupiter and messenger of the gods, with winged
sandals and tortoise-shell lyre. Slung across his shoulder was his
serpent-entwined wand, one touch of which would awaken those who slept,
or put to sleep those who were awake.
Minerva, daughter of Jupiter, goddess of wisdom and war, and protectress
of the elegant and useful arts, came next. Her barge was appropriately
decorated with the olive branch and fruit. In its bow, half hidden, were
owls (birds of wisdom), and cocks, which were sacred to her memory. On
the corners of her barge were golden plows and rakes, emblems of
agriculture; while here and there were also spinning wheels and
distaffs, emblems of the useful arts. Her warlike tastes were displayed
by her dress, which was a complete suit of armor, the breast-plate of
which was the head of Medusa. She carried a golden staff and looked
magnificently beautiful and strong with commanding figure, noble brow,
and flashing eyes as she stood tall and erect without turning her head
to right or to left as she floated down this silvery stream.
On Diana’s barge was a miniature cave to represent the one in the glade
where the goddess of the chase and the moon used to repair to bathe and
refresh herself after the hunt. Reposing before the cave were her
faithful nymphs and all were listening to the sweet music Apollo, her
twin brother, was drawing from his lute.
Vesta, the goddess of the hearth or home, was seated in front of an
altar before which burned the sacred fire. The barge was festooned in
myrtle and guided by twelve vestal virgins.
Vulcan stood before a fiery furnace in the midst of Lotus trees arranged
to represent a forest.
Ceres, goddess of fruit and cereals, led two oxen yoked to a plow. In
her train were woven heads of golden wheat; under her arm she carried a
cornucopia out of which poured luscious fruits.
Neptune’s barge was drawn by sea-horses with flowing manes. Their
harness was of silver, crusted with pearls. Neptune himself, god of the
sea, wore a rich mantle embroidered with sea anemones and shells. On his
head he wore a crown of pearls and emeralds while in his right hand he
held his trident, studded with precious gems gathered from the depths of
ocean.
Following Neptune came Penelope, spinning the web which at night she
would unravel, thus representing those who always work but never
accomplish anything.
After Penelope rode Bellerophon on his celebrated charger, Pegasus, the
winged horse.
Then came Atlas bearing the globe upon his shoulders.
And next, Pandora, with her fatal box.
Aurora, goddess of dawn, followed, sitting in her chariot of gold drawn
by pure white horses. She was clothed in garments only equaled in color
and splendor by the tints of the Aurora Borealis.
Following Aurora came Perseus, with Minerva’s shield, Pluto’s helmet,
and Mercury’s winged shoes and wand.
Then Eolus with the contrary winds tied up in the hide of an ox;
followed by Somnus, god of sleep, smelling a poppy.
Bacchus, the god of wine, passed with overflowing cup in hand and wreath
of grapes and leaves upon his head.
And now, Medusa with hair of hissing serpents; Rhea, the goddess of
Earth, leading a tame tiger to show how she could tame the beasts of the
forest; then Flora, the goddess of flowers, scattering a profusion of
flowers and blossoms as she passed.
Hercules, incarnation of strength, now appeared dressed in a lion’s
skin, with its head for a helmet. In one hand he carried his knotted
club, while with the other he led the Arcadian stag with golden antlers
and brazen feet, which he had caught. Behind him came his wife, Hebe,
goddess of youth, carrying her cup of nectar, ready to wait upon the
gods, for that was her office.
Last but not least came Pluto, god of the lower world and of the dead.
None of the goddesses would marry him because it was such a gloomy place
down in Hades where he lived, so one day he kidnapped Proserpine, the
lovely daughter of Ceres, and carried her off to his kingdom. Now he
came riding along in what appeared to be that same chariot drawn by
spirited black horses. By his side sat the sweet-faced Proserpine, Queen
of Hades, and at their feet lay Cerberus, his pet dog, a monster with
three heads and a body covered with snakes in the place of hair. On his
head, Pluto wore a magic helmet which gave him the power of becoming
invisible at will.
Thus they came, following each other in one continuous line as far as
the eye could see.
Our young people watched them until the last one had passed by, then
they too passed on, in search of other sights and scenes.