‘Certainly; every day it is more powerful.’
‘Then if, on consideration, we were to deem resistance to it advisable, it is surely better to commence the contest at once than to postpone the struggle.’
‘It is useless to talk of resisting; one must conform.’
‘I certainly should consider resistance useless,’ replied Saturn, ‘for I tried it and failed; but at least one has a chance of success; and yet, having resisted this spirit and failed, I should not consider myself in a worse plight than you would voluntarily place yourself in by conforming to it.’
‘You speak riddles,’ said Proserpine.
‘To be plain, then,’ replied Saturn, ‘I think you may as well at once give up your throne, as conform to this spirit.’
‘And why so?’ inquired Proserpine very ingenuously.’
‘Because,’ replied Saturn, shrugging up his shoulders, ‘I look upon the spirit of the age as a spirit hostile to Kings and gods.’
The next morning Saturn himself attended his beautiful guest over his residence, which Proserpine greatly admired.
‘‘Tis the work of the Titans,’ replied the ex-King. ‘There never was a party so fond of building palaces.’