Hades, King of Hell, has gone out of the city and across the little streams that surround Hell. He has gone to the near shore of the Styx, where there is a meadow suitable for a picnic. But he does not picnic there, Hades, though he has caused a feast to be laid for his guest, Persephone. You know how besotted he is of her. That s because she s living, Achilles said.
People are much more attractive when they re living.
But she is a lovely woman in her own regard, and of course a first-class nature myth of considerable antiquity. Of course I do, Helen said. Nobody knows about Persephone any more. But everybody knows Helen. I know you re wonderful, Achilles said soothingly, because he didn t want to get her started.