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1. 99 Emily Parr says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 7:14 pm

   “South Africans are usually kind…” - ??? - As if

   #
   I know a guy who got a job straight after leaving school
   I’ve met a normal merman and a fairly modest German
   But I’ve never met a nice South African.

   No he’s never met a nice South African
   And that’s not bloody surprising man
   ‘Cause we’re a bunch of talentless murderers
   Who smell like baboons

   I’ve had a close encounter of the twenty-second kind
   That’s when an alien spaceship disappears up your behind
   I got directory enquiries after less than forty rings
   I’ve even heard a decent song by Paul McCartney’s Wings
   I’ve seen a flying pig in a quite convincing wig
   But I’ve never met a nice South African.

   No he’s never met a nice South African
   And that’s not bloody surprising man
   ‘Cause we’re a bunch of ignorant loudmouths
   With no sense of humour - ha ha

   I’ve met the Loch Ness monster and he looks like Fred Astaire
   At the BBC in London he’s the chief commissionaire
   I know a place in Glasgow which is rife with daffodillies
   I met a man in Katmandu who claimed to have two willies
   I’ve had a nice pot noodle but I’ve never had a poodle
   And I’ve never met a nice South African.

   No he’s never met a nice South African
   And that’s not bloody surprising man
   Because we’ve never met one either
   Except for Breyten Breytenbach and he’s emigrated to Paris. (farts)

   Yes he’s quite a nice South African
   And he’s hardly ever killed anyone
   And he’s not smelly at all.
   That’s why they put him prison.
   #

2. 98 Gypsy says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 2:32 pm

   Because of the time it takes to dispose of a body, they wouldnt have had time to have gone back to the appartment and found Maddy had had an accident and in a panic disposed of her body.
   I dont think any of that could have happened unless of course Maddy had come across an accident before and they had already disposed of her body and she was never in her room in the first place.

   But someone mentioned her wondering off looking for her parents and got found by a oppertunist peado, this sounds more likely.

   The fact that they are in the medical profession would say to me that they wouldnt risk trying to cover up an accident, that would make the accident look abit odd.
   I cant see anyone trying to cover up thier childs accidental death you would be in so much pain all you would want is to be able to burry that child and grieve.
   There are so many diffrent versions of what may have happened to poor little Maddy i just wish that the truth would hurry up and come out and hopefully she is alive and well.

3. 97 Marian Hunter says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 1:25 pm

   Shame Safrican, you really are letting your people down, as someone else has posted. Are you in exile or something? South Africans are usually kind, having lost so much.

4. 96 Jacques Clouseau says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 10:32 am

   They couldn’t have flushed her down the loo - the plumbing stinks in Portugal

5. 95 Marlene Prendeville says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 10:28 am

   Marlene Prendeville Says:
   July 1st, 2007 at 4:02 am
   Marlene Prendeville Says:
   In response to wtf, wouldn’t it be nice if the star of peace could shine down on every home and every street ? Christ has the power to make this come true.
   I think the word “easier for us” could be written in place of “better” “…it is better (easier) to have a religious background than to have no religion at all.” We could also use the word “belief” instead of religion/religious.

   Why I responded is because wtf wanted to know “Why?” and also one of you, namely, Stonker, posted a criticism of religions such as Catholics, Roman Catholics and other religions and this is mean of Stonker and unfair to all religions and to all those people who have a religious belief and background, regardless of who their God may be. Having a religion is good, believing brings Hope.

   As I said previously, people have free will and using it to hurt others or “behaving abominably and doing unspeakable things to their fellow human beings,” as wtf described it, cannot be tolerated. No one, and I hope you are reading this Stonker, has the right to criticize religion, be it Christianity, Roman Catholic or any other religious belief.

   The greatest human failure is that we have discovered so little about the Power of God. — this is another reason I wrote about having religion and belief rather than no religion at all.

   However, we must not lose sight of the fact that four-year old Madeleine McCann is still missing and so is Yeremi Vargas, along with lots of other innocent children – what can we do to help these helpless kids ?
   All the Best, Marlene

6. 94 Safrican says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 9:33 am

   And they did what with the body?? Stuffed it in her handbag? You sound like you have it all figured out. Very calculated. It actually says something about you. Takes one to see one …..

7. 93 Safrican says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 9:27 am

   Bloody hell Anonymous. Why don’t you just publish a book? You call the Mcanns a ’strange pair.” Can you imagine the headlines they will come up if YOU ever do something wrong? It will be like poking fun at a child. Oh wait, sorry that is what you are doing already.
   Marian, can you blow any more smoke up Anon/Hecate’s ass? Why don’t you two get togetger in person - then we don’t have bare witness to all this “Very moving, very beautiful, choked up” bullshit.

   Does anyone (apart from the smoke blowers) have more news?

   Yes, yes sweeties we will give you a chance to blab, just make it a short one Anon. Pretty Please.

8. 92 says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 9:24 am

   I still think its an accidental death and they found her on their return, with their knowledge of what happens to the body after death they panicked.

   A child choking while you sleep is one thing,and postmortem would confirm time of death etc. But while you are out on the razzle it stinks of neglect, and I really think their loss of status both as doctors and parents is what is driving them through this charade.
   Most people are seriously worried why they seem to want to matter more than their child.

9. 91 Marian says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 6:48 am

   Hi Hecate

   Very moving, very beautiful, I was choked up reading it. To gypsy, we do not disrespect anyone, merely their thoughtless neglect of their children. I don’t even leave my dogs home alone.

   You are perfectly right, who would have the presence of mind to set up a fund “an unusual company” run by family, when their child has just been “stolen”. There is no evidence to suggest she has been stolen. No locked door, no jemmied window. They did this night after night, not just the once. They should come clean and tell the police everything about what happened.

10. 90 Gypsy says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 11:46 pm

    I believe that there is something really strange about this case nothing actually runs true, they dont seem to be the grieving parents i would be unable to cope if i thought my child was in the hands of a paedophile ring, but again they may act diffrently from what they seem to be doing when the doors are shut.

    I think that we havnt been told everything for reasons maybe we will all find out later but all i hope is that Madeliene is safe and returned soon.

11. 89 says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 11:22 pm

    Black humour is there to let off steam, whatever has happened to Madeleine could/would be ghastly and beyond all things I do not wish to think about.
    However there is something about this whole thing which does not ring true, for Madeleine’s sake I hope that is right and she is unharmed.

    But her parents are a very strange pair, and I think most people are preparing themselves fora revelation of what really happened, but I hope that the child involved is ok.

    Things are just not as they seem, and black humour and cynicism go hand in hand, and I do agree that it would be better if they didn’t have a place here, but sadly they do.

    With Sarah Payne, Holly and Jessica and several others the parents vibes, pain and anguish rang very true, and I for one did believe Lindy Chamberlain, and felt awful when Joanna Lees was doubted because I believed her too. But its all the ‘polish’ on this case is attempting to blind us from ???
    Too slick

12. 88 Gypsy says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 10:06 pm

    i didnt comment on it because it wasnt there when i wrote what i wrote to you, its very sad and does show the pain that Demeter was feeling very good but i must admit it was very long and i didnt read all of it .

    The family were not all in portugal.
    I really dont care how the parents feel i agree with you they dont deserve sympathy or respect but the aunts and uncles and the grandparents do.

    Gerry and Kate dont even show any emotion about thier own child being missing they seem more involved in fund and planning more events, they havnt really explained or shown any of the things this fund is being spent on in a way that helps finding thier daughter.
    Maybe i dont get black humour as you say it is but to me it just seemed nasty.. i will however keep quiet about it now i have had my say and you have the right to say and do what ever you want to.

13. 87 says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 9:16 pm

    Black humour isn’t funny, it is not poking fun at the child, and we do have great respect for her. Her family however chose not to be around, stuffing their faces was much more important.

    No I would not find a mother accidentally running her child over funny, why would I? Its not even comparable to this amount of neglect, it was a bad accident.

    A lot of people do not have the McCanns on a pedestal, you shall have to accept that. Whereever you have them is your problem, not ours.

    I have posted a Song to Demeter, I notice you do NOT comment on that?

14. 86 Gypsy says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 8:32 pm

    I agree with you on the fact that they are not acting the way i or any other parent i know would act if they had lost a child and if i was the cause of my child going missing i would also be suicidal.

    But i wasnt saying they were not to blame for Madeleine going missing if they had stayed home then she would not have been taken, what i am saying is it sounds like your taking great joy in a very sad and awful case.
    Making a joke of the fact the McCanns left the kids isnt funny its pathetic.
    I read in the paper once about a mother revearsing the car out of her drive and her son who was 18months ran out and she ran over himand killed him straight out would you find a joke in this.

    Just because the parents were stupid and left Maddy dosnt mean its fair game to take the piss,and just because they left her dosnt mean what has happened was bound to happen.
    An accident may have happened or even a fire in these cases they would know what happened but to not know what has happened to her is not what was bound to happen.
    No matter how you put it what your doing is not in anyway funny and you are just getting your jollys like the patients at marians work do.

    If this was a group of adults bantering i would have expected them to have a little more respect for the missing child and not only her but her family she didnt just have parents she had other family members too.

15. 85 Hecate says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 6:54 pm

    A tribute to all mothers who have had their children stolen : A Song to Demeter

    I begin to sing of rich-haired Demeter, awful goddess — of her and her trim-ankled daughter whom Aidoneus [Hades] rapt away, given to him by all-seeing Zeus the loud-thunderer. Apart from Demeter, lady of the golden sword and glorious fruits, she was playing with the deep-bosomed daughters of Oceanus and gathering flowers over a soft meadow, roses and crocuses and beautiful violets, irises also and hyacinths and the narcissus which Earth made to grow at the will of Zeus and to please the Host of Many, to be a snare for the bloom-like girl — a marvellous, radiant flower. It was a thing of awe whether for deathless gods or mortal men to see: from its root grew a hundred blooms and it smelled most sweetly, so that all wide heaven above and the whole earth and the sea’s salt swell laughed for joy. And the girl was amazed and reached out with both hands to take the lovely toy; but the wide-pathed earth yawned there in the plain of Nysa, and the lord, Host of Many, with his immortal horses sprang out upon her — the Son of Cronos, He who has many names.[1]

    He caught her up reluctant on his golden car and bare her away lamenting. Then she cried out shrilly with her voice, calling upon her father, the Son of Cronos, who is most high and excellent. But no one, either of the deathless gods or of mortal men, heard her voice, nor yet the olive-trees bearing rich fruit: only tenderhearted Hecate, bright-coiffed, the daughter of Persaeus, heard the girl from her cave, and the lord Helios, Hyperion’s bright son, as she cried to her father, the Son of Cronos. But he was sitting aloof, apart from the gods, in his temple where many pray, and receiving sweet offerings from mortal men. So he, that Son of Cronos, of many names, who is Ruler of Many and Host of Many, was bearing her away by leave of Zeus on his immortal chariot — his own brother’s child and all unwilling.

    [Line 33] And so long as she, the goddess, yet beheld earth and starry heaven and the strong-flowing sea where fishes shoal, and the rays of the sun, and still hoped to see her dear mother and the tribes of the eternal gods, so long hope calmed her great heart for all her trouble. . . . and the heights of the mountains and the depths of the sea rang with her immortal voice: and her queenly mother heard her.

    Bitter pain seized her heart, and she rent the covering upon her divine hair with her dear hands: her dark cloak she cast down from both her shoulders and sped, like a wild-bird, over the firm land and yielding sea, seeking her child. But no one would tell her the truth, neither god nor mortal man; and of the birds of omen none came with true news for her. Then for nine days queenly Deo wandered over the earth with flaming torches in her hands, so grieved that she never tasted ambrosia and the sweet draught of nectar, nor sprinkled her body with water. But when the tenth enlightening dawn had come, Hecate, with a torch in her hands, met her, and spoke to her and told her news:

    “Queenly Demeter, bringer of seasons and giver of good gifts, what god of heaven or what mortal man has rapt away Persephone and pierced with sorrow your dear heart? For I heard her voice, yet saw not with my eyes who it was. But I tell you truly and shortly all I know.”

    [Line 59] So, then, said Hecate. And the daughter of rich-haired Rhea answered her not, but sped swiftly with her, holding flaming torches in her hands. So they came to Helios, who is watchman of both gods and men, and stood in front of his horses: and the bright goddess enquired of him: “Helios, do you at least regard me, goddess as I am, if ever by word or deed of mine I have cheered your heart and spirit. Through the fruitless air I heard the thrilling cry of my daughter whom I bare, sweet scion of my body and lovely in form, as of one seized violently; though with my eyes I saw nothing. But you — for with your beams you look down from the bright upper air over all the earth and sea — tell me truly of my dear child if you have seen her anywhere, what god or mortal man has violently seized her against her will and mine, and so made off.”

    So said she. And the Son of Hyperion answered her: “Queen Demeter, daughter of rich-haired Rhea, I will tell you the truth; for I greatly reverence and pity you in your grief for your trim-ankled daughter. None other of the deathless gods is to blame, but only cloud-gathering Zeus who gave her to Hades, her father’s brother, to be called his buxom wife. And Hades seized her and took her loudly crying in his chariot down to his realm of mist and gloom. Yet, goddess, cease your loud lament and keep not vain anger unrelentingly: Aidoneus, the Ruler of Many, is no unfitting husband among the deathless gods for your child, being our own brother and born of the same stock: also, for honour, he has that third share which he received when division was made at the first and is appointed lord of those among whom he dwells.”

    So he spake, and called to his horses: and at his chiding they quickly whirled the swift chariot along, like long-winged birds.

    [Line 90] But grief yet more terrible and savage came into the heart of Demeter, and thereafter she was so angered with the dark-clouded Son of Cronos that she avoided the gathering of the gods and high Olympus, and went to the towns and rich fields of men, disfiguring her form a long while. And no one of men or deep-bosomed women knew her when they saw her, until she came to the house of wise Celeus who then was lord of fragrant Eleusis. Vexed in her dear heart, she sat near the wayside by the Maiden Well, from which the women of the place were used to draw water, in a shady place over which grew an olive shrub. And she was like an ancient woman who is cut off from childbearing and the gifts of garland-loving Aphrodite, like the nurses of king’s children who deal justice, or like the house-keepers in their echoing halls. There the daughters of Celeus, son of Eleusis, saw her, as they coming for easy-drawn water, to carry it in pitchers of bronze to their dear father’s house: four were they and like goddesses in the flower of their girlhood, Callidice and Cleisidice and lovely Demo and Callithoe who was the eldest of them all. They knew her not, — for the gods are not easily discerned by mortals –, but startling near by her spoke winged words:

    “Old mother, whence are you of folk born long ago? Why are you gone away from the city and do not draw near the houses? For there in the shady halls are women of just such age as you, and others younger; and they would welcome you both by word and by deed.”

    [Line 118] Thus they said. And she, that queen among goddesses answered them saying: “Hail, dear children, whosoever you are of woman-kind. I will tell you my story; for it is not unseemly that I should tell you truly what you ask. Doso is my name, for my stately mother gave it me. And now I am come from Crete over the sea’s wide back, — not willingly; but pirates brought me thence by force of strength against my liking. Afterwards they put in with their swift craft to Thoricus, and these the women landed on the shore in full throng and the men likewise, and they began to make ready a meal by the stern-cables of the ship. But my heart craved not pleasant food, and I fled secretly across the dark country and escaped my masters, that they should not take me unpurchased across the sea, there to win a price for me. And so I wandered and am come here: and I know not at all what land this is or what people are in it. But may all those who dwell on Olympus give you husbands and birth of children as parents desire, so you take pity on me, maidens, and show me this clearly that I may learn, dear children, to the house of what man and woman I may go, to work for them cheerfully at such tasks as belong to a woman of my age. Well could I nurse a new born child, holding him in my arms, or keep house, or spread my masters’ bed in a recess of the well-built chamber, or teach the women their work.”

    So said the goddess. And straightway the unwed maiden Callidice, goodliest in form of the daughters of Celeus, answered her and said:

    [Line 147] “Mother, what the gods send us, we mortals bear perforce, although we suffer; for they are much stronger than we. But now I will teach you clearly, telling you the names of men who have great power and honour here and are chief among the people, guarding our city’s coif of towers by their wisdom and true judgements: there is wise Triptolemus and Dioclus and Polyxeinus and blameless Eumolpus and Dolichus and our own brave father. All these have wives who manage in the house, and no one of them, so soon as she had seen you, would dishonour you and turn you from the house, but they will welcome you; for indeed you are godlike. But if you will, stay here; and we will go to our father’s house and tell Metaneira, our deep-bosomed mother, all this matter fully, that she may bid you rather come to our home than search after the houses of others. She has an only son, late-born, who is being nursed in our well-built house, a child of many prayers and welcome: if you could bring him up until he reached the full measure of youth, any one of womankind who should see you would straightway envy you, such gifts would our mother give for his upbringing.”

    So she spake: and the goddess bowed her head in assent. And they filled their shining vessels with water and carried them off rejoicing. Quickly they came to their father’s great house and straightway told their mother according as they had heard and seen. Then she bade them go with all speed and invite the stranger to come for a measureless hire. As hinds or heifers in spring time, when sated with pasture, bound about a meadow, so they, holding up the folds of their lovely garments, darted down the hollow path, and their hair like a crocus flower streamed about their shoulders. And they found the good goddess near the wayside where they had left her before, and led her to the house of their dear father. And she walked behind, distressed in her dear heart, with her head veiled and wearing a dark cloak which waved about the slender feet of the goddess.

    [Line 184] Soon they came to the house of heaven-nurtured Celeus and went through the portico to where their queenly mother sat by a pillar of the close-fitted roof, holding her son, a tender scion, in her bosom. And the girls ran to her. But the goddess walked to the threshold: and her head reached the roof and she filled the doorway with a heavenly radiance. Then awe and reverence and pale fear took hold of Metaneira, and she rose up from her couch before Demeter, and bade her be seated. But Demeter, bringer of seasons and giver of perfect gifts, would not sit upon the bright couch, but stayed silent with lovely eyes cast down until careful Iambe placed a jointed seat for her and threw over it a silvery fleece. Then she sat down and held her veil in her hands before her face. A long time she sat upon the stool[2] without speaking because of her sorrow, and greeted no one by word or by sign, but rested, never smiling, and tasting neither food nor drinks because she pined with longing for her deep-bosomed daughter, until careful Iambe — who pleased her moods in aftertime also — moved the holy lady with many a quip and jest to smile and laugh and cheer her heart. Then Metaneira filled a cup with sweet wine and offered it to her; but she refused it, for she said it was not lawful for her to drink red wine, but bade them mix meal and water with soft mint and give her to drink. And Metaneira mixed the draught and gave it to the goddess as she bade. So the great queen Deo received it to observe the sacrament.[3]

    [Line 212] And of them all, well-girded Metaneira first began to speak: “Hail, lady! For I think you are not meanly but nobly born; truly dignity and grace are conspicuous upon your eyes as in the eyes of kings that deal justice. Yet we mortals bear per-force what the gods send us, though we be grieved; for a yoke is set upon our necks. But now, since you are come here, you shall have what I can bestow: and nurse me this child whom the gods gave me in my old age and beyond my hope, a son much prayed for. If you should bring him up until he reach the full measure of youth, any one of woman-kind that sees you will straightway envy you, so great reward would I give for his upbringing.”

    Then rich-haired Demeter answered her: “And to you, also, lady, all hail, and may the gods give you good! Gladly will I take the boy to my breast, as you bid me, and will nurse him. Never, I ween, through any heedlessness of his nurse shall witchcraft hurt him nor yet the Undercutter: for I know a charm far stronger than the Woodcutter, and I know an excellent safeguard against woeful witchcraft.”[4]

    When she had so spoken, she took the child in her fragrant bosom with her divine hands: and his mother was glad in her heart. So the goddess nursed in the palace Demophoon, wise Celeus’ goodly son whom well-girded Metaneira bare. And the child grew like some immortal being, not fed with food nor nourished at the breast: for by day rich-crowned Demeter would anoint him with ambrosia as if he were the offspring of a god and breathe sweetly upon him as she held him in her bosom. But at night she would hide him like a brand in the heart of the fire, unknown to his dear parents. And it wrought great wonder in these that he grew beyond his age; for he was like the gods face to face. And she would have made him deathless and unaging, had not well-girded Metaneira in her heedlessness kept watch by night from her sweet-smelling chamber and spied. But she wailed and smote her two hips, because she feared for her son and was greatly distraught in her heart; so she lamented and uttered winged words:

    [Line 248] “Demophoon, my son, the strange woman buries you deep in fire and works grief and bitter sorrow for me.”

    Thus she spoke, mourning. And the bright goddess, lovely-crowned Demeter, heard her, and was wroth with her. So with her divine hands she snatched from the fire the dear son whom Metaneira had born unhoped-for in the palace, and cast him from her to the ground; for she was terribly angry in her heart. Forthwith she said to well-girded Metaneira:

    “Witless are you mortals and dull to foresee your lot, whether of good or evil, that comes upon you. For now in your heedlessness you have wrought folly past healing; for — be witness the oath of the gods, the relentless water of Styx — I would have made your dear son deathless and unaging all his days and would have bestowed on him ever-lasting honour, but now he can in no way escape death and the fates. Yet shall unfailing honour always rest upon him, because he lay upon my knees and slept in my arms. But, as the years move round and when he is in his prime, the sons of the Eleusinians shall ever wage war and dread strife with one another continually. Lo! I am that Demeter who has share of honour and is the greatest help and cause of joy to the undying gods and mortal men. But now, let all the people build me a great temple and an altar below it and beneath the city and its sheer wall upon a rising hillock above Callichorus. And I myself will teach my rites, that hereafter you may reverently perform them and so win the favour of my heart.”

    [Line 275] When she had so said, the goddess changed her stature and her looks, thrusting old age away from her: beauty spread round about her and a lovely fragrance was wafted from her sweet-smelling robes, and from the divine body of the goddess a light shone afar, while golden tresses spread down over her shoulders, so that the strong house was filled with brightness as with lightning. And so she went out from the palace.

    And straightway Metaneira’s knees were loosed and she remained speechless for a long while and did not remember to take up her late-born son from the ground. But his sisters heard his pitiful wailing and sprang down from their well-spread beds: one of them took up the child in her arms and laid him in her bosom, while another revived the fire, and a third rushed with soft feet to bring their mother from her fragrant chamber. And they gathered about the struggling child and washed him, embracing him lovingly; but he was not comforted, because nurses and handmaids much less skillful were holding him now.

    All night long they sought to appease the glorious goddess, quaking with fear. But, as soon as dawn began to show, they told powerful Celeus all things without fail, as the lovely-crowned goddess Demeter charged them. So Celeus called the countless people to an assembly and bade them make a goodly temple for rich-haired Demeter and an altar upon the rising hillock. And they obeyed him right speedily and harkened to his voice, doing as he commanded. As for the child, he grew like an immortal being.

    [Line 301] Now when they had finished building and had drawn back from their toil, they went every man to his house. But golden-haired Demeter sat there apart from all the blessed gods and stayed, wasting with yearning for her deep-bosomed daughter. Then she caused a most dreadful and cruel year for mankind over the all-nourishing earth: the ground would not make the seed sprout, for rich-crowned Demeter kept it hid. In the fields the oxen drew many a curved plough in vain, and much white barley was cast upon the land without avail. So she would have destroyed the whole race of man with cruel famine and have robbed them who dwell on Olympus of their glorious right of gifts and sacrifices, had not Zeus perceived and marked this in his heart. First he sent golden-winged Iris to call rich-haired Demeter, lovely in form. So he commanded. And she obeyed the dark-clouded Son of Cronos, and sped with swift feet across the space between. She came to the stronghold of fragrant Eleusis, and there finding dark-cloaked Demeter in her temple, spake to her and uttered winged words:

    “Demeter, father Zeus, whose wisdom is everlasting, calls you to come join the tribes of the eternal gods: come therefore, and let not the message I bring from Zeus pass unobeyed.”

    Thus said Iris imploring her. But Demeter’s heart was not moved. Then again the father sent forth all the blessed and eternal gods besides: and they came, one after the other, and kept calling her and offering many very beautiful gifts and whatever rights she might be pleased to choose among the deathless gods. Yet no one was able to persuade her mind and will, so wroth was she in her heart; but she stubbornly rejected all their words: for she vowed that she would never set foot on fragrant Olympus nor let fruit spring out of the ground, until she beheld with her eyes her own fair-faced daughter.

    [Line 334] Now when all-seeing Zeus the loud-thunderer heard this, he sent the Slayer of Argus whose wand is of gold to Erebus, so that having won over Hades with soft words, he might lead forth chaste Persephone to the light from the misty gloom to join the gods, and that her mother might see her with her eyes and cease from her anger. And Hermes obeyed, and leaving the house of Olympus, straightway sprang down with speed to the hidden places of the earth. And he found the lord Hades in his house seated upon a couch, and his shy mate with him, much reluctant, because she yearned for her mother. But she was afar off, brooding on her fell design because of the deeds of the blessed gods. And the strong Slayer of Argus drew near and said:

    “Dark-haired Hades, ruler over the departed, father Zeus bids me bring noble Persephone forth from Erebus unto the gods, that her mother may see her with her eyes and cease from her dread anger with the immortals; for now she plans an awful deed, to destroy the weakly tribes of earthborn men by keeping seed hidden beneath the earth, and so she makes an end of the honours of the undying gods. For she keeps fearful anger and does not consort with the gods, but sits aloof in her fragrant temple, dwelling in the rocky hold of Eleusis.”

    So he said. And Aidoneus, ruler over the dead, smiled grimly and obeyed the behest of Zeus the king. For he straightway urged wise Persephone, saying:

    [Line 360] “Go now, Persephone, to your dark-robed mother, go, and feel kindly in your heart towards me: be not so exceedingly cast down; for I shall be no unfitting husband for you among the deathless gods, that am own brother to father Zeus. And while you are here, you shall rule all that lives and moves and shall have the greatest rights among the deathless gods: those who defraud you and do not appease your power with offerings, reverently performing rites and paying fit gifts, shall be punished for evermore.”

    When he said this, wise Persephone was filled with joy and hastily sprang up for gladness. But he on his part secretly gave her sweet pomegranate seed to eat, taking care for himself that she might not remain continually with grave, dark-robed Demeter. Then Aidoneus the Ruler of Many openly got ready his deathless horses beneath the golden chariots And she mounted on the chariot and the strong Slayer of Argus took reins and whip in his dear hands and drove forth from the hall, the horses speeding readily. Swiftly they traversed their long course, and neither the sea nor river-waters nor grassy glens nor mountain-peaks checked the career of the immortal horses, but they clave the deep air above them as they went. And Hermes brought them to the place where rich-crowned Demeter was staying and checked them before her fragrant temple.

    [Line 384] And when Demeter saw them, she rushed forth as does a Maenad down some thick-wooded mountain, while Persephone on the other side, when she saw her mother’s sweet eyes, left the chariot and horses, and leaped down to run to her, and falling upon her neck, embraced her. But while Demeter was still holding her dear child in her arms, her heart suddenly misgave her for some snare, so that she feared greatly and ceased fondling her daughter and asked of her at once: “My child, tell me, surely you have not tasted any food while you were below? Speak out and hide nothing, but let us both know. For if you have not, you shall come back from loathly Hades and live with me and your father, the dark-clouded Son of Cronos and be honoured by all the deathless gods; but if you have tasted food, you must go back again beneath the secret places of the earth, there to dwell a third part of the seasons every year: yet for the two parts you shall be with me and the other deathless gods. But when the earth shall bloom with the fragrant flowers of spring in every kind, then from the realm of darkness and gloom thou shalt come up once more to be a wonder for gods and mortal men. And now tell me how he rapt you away to the realm of darkness and gloom, and by what trick did the strong Host of Many beguile you?”

    [Line 405] Then beautiful Persephone answered her thus: “Mother, I will tell you all without error. When luck-bringing Hermes came, swift messenger from my father the Son of Cronos and the other Sons of Heaven, bidding me come back from Erebus that you might see me with your eyes and so cease from your anger and fearful wrath against the gods, I sprang up at once for joy; but he secretly put in my mouth sweet food, a pomegranate seed, and forced me to taste against my will. Also I will tell how he rapt me away by the deep plan of my father the Son of Cronos and carried me off beneath the depths of the earth, and will relate the whole matter as you ask. All we were playing in a lovely meadow, Leucippe and Phaeno and Electra and Ianthe, Melita also and Iache with Rhodea and Callirhoe and Melobosis and Tyche and Ocyrhoe, fair as a flower, Chryseis, Ianeira, Acaste and Admete and Rhodope and Pluto and charming Calypso; Styx too was there and Urania and lovely Galaxaura with Pallas who rouses battles and Artemis delighting in arrows.[5] We were playing and gathering sweet flowers in our hands, soft crocuses mingled with irises and hyacinths, and rose-blooms and lilies, marvellous to see, and the narcissus which the wide earth caused to grow yellow as a crocus. That I plucked in my joy; but the earth parted beneath, and there the strong lord, the Host of Many, sprang forth and in his golden chariot he bore me away, all unwilling, beneath the earth: then I cried with a shrill cry. All this is true, sore though it grieves me to tell the tale.”

    [Line 434] So did they then, with hearts at one, greatly cheer each the other’s soul and spirit with many an embrace: their hearts had relief from their griefs while each took and gave back joyousness.

    Then bright-coiffed Hecate came near to them, and often did she embrace the daughter of holy Demeter: and from that time the lady Hecate was minister and companion to Persephone.

    And all-seeing Zeus sent a messenger to them, rich-haired Rhea, to bring dark-cloaked Demeter to join the families of the gods: and he promised to give her what rights she should choose among the deathless gods and agreed that her daughter should go down for the third part of the circling year to darkness and gloom, but for the two parts should live with her mother and the other deathless gods. Thus he commanded. And the goddess did not disobey the message of Zeus; swiftly she rushed down from the peaks of Olympus and came to the plain of Rharus, rich, fertile corn-land once, but then in nowise fruitful, for it lay idle and utterly leafless, because the white grain was hidden by design of trim-ankled Demeter. But afterwards, as spring-time waxed, it was soon to be waving with long ears of corn, and its rich furrows to be loaded with grain upon the ground, while others would already be bound in sheaves. There first she landed from the fruitless upper air: and glad were the goddesses to see each other and cheered in heart. Then bright-coiffed Rhea said to Demeter:

    [Line 459] “Come, my daughter; for far-seeing Zeus the loud-thunderer calls you to join the families of the gods, and has promised to give you what rights you please among the deathless gods, and has agreed that for a third part of the circling year your daughter shall go down to darkness and gloom, but for the two parts shall be with you and the other deathless gods: so has he declared it shall be and has bowed his head in token. But come, my child, obey, and be not too angry unrelentingly with the dark-clouded Son of Cronos; but rather increase forthwith for men the fruit that gives them life.”

    So spake Rhea. And rich-crowned Demeter did not refuse but straightway made fruit to spring up from the rich lands, so that the whole wide earth was laden with leaves and flowers. Then she went, and to the kings who deal justice, Triptolemus and Diocles, the horse-driver, and to doughty Eumolpus and Celeus, leader of the people, she showed the conduct of her rites and taught them all her mysteries, to Triptolemus and Polyxeinus and Diocles also, — awful mysteries which no one may in any way transgress or pry into or utter, for deep awe of the gods checks the voice. Happy is he among men upon earth who has seen these mysteries; but he who is uninitiate and who has no part in them, never has lot of like good things once he is dead, down in the darkness and gloom.

    [Line 483] But when the bright goddess had taught them all, they went to Olympus to the gathering of the other gods. And there they dwell beside Zeus who delights in thunder, awful and reverend goddesses. Right blessed is he among men on earth whom they freely love: soon they do send Plutus as guest to his great house, Plutus who gives wealth to mortal men.

    And now, queen of the land of sweet Eleusis and sea-girt Paros and rocky Antron, lady, giver of good gifts, bringer of seasons, queen Deo, be gracious, you and your daughter all beauteous Persephone, and for my song grant me heart-cheering substance. And now I will remember you and another song also.

    ——————————————————————————–

16. 84 says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 6:29 pm

    The Hecate post earlier is not the real Hecate, and whoever??? had better leave some bread by a crossroads……….

    Gypsy they may ‘regret’ their actions but a little late don’t you think and a little pathetic too? If I had been that effing stupid and careless I’d be suicidal by now not merely ‘regretful’.

    That poor child can lay just most of what has happened to her on her parents doorstep, and the sooner they realise that, the better.

17. 83 Marian says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 5:34 pm

    No I am not getting my “jollys” gipsy, merely bantering with what I believe to be a group of adults, talking about a tragedy, which was bound to happen when parents leave their infants home alone.

    Clearly you are missiing the point of these posts, and making fun of a small child did not cross my mind, as it has yours. You say the parents may be wrong. Criminal is what comes to my mind. But then we probably have different ideas as to what is wrong, and what is cruel neglect.

18. 82 Hecate says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 3:44 pm

    You are right I am a wanker

19. 81 Gypsy says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 9:35 am

    By poking fun at the parents in this you are also poking fun at the fact that a four year old child is missing,

    marian as you work with these sick people then you also know what they are capable of and by poking fun at this case you of all people should know better.
    You make yourself feel better by saying your having a joke about the parents not the child but they are both the same case so you are all making fun that a small child has been taken when her parents were not watching her because they fancied a night out, and that some sick bastard could be doing what ever to that child right now.

    The parents might be wrong but they regret that but people that find this funny are just as bad as the parents Marian said she has to watch the patients get thier jollys from this case but isnt she joining them now?

20. 80 Hecate says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 8:39 am

    karen dear , this is the www and people from all over the world post, and others of us do keep strange working hours, and some are self employed working at home usually (me) but sometimes I’m away from home and my husband takes care of things here in my absence.

    I can imagine a traumatised child will be sobbing non stop, and sometimes black humour helps people deal with it. Incidentally no one is poking fun at Madeleine, only the people who had a choice in this matter - her parents

21. 79 Marian Hunter says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 5:05 am

    Thank you Hecate, for your defence against foul mouthed folks who insult people from a distance. The McCann’s and their travelling band did not “make a mistake”, they left their kids “home alone”. Maddie is missing because of them, not me, not the police.

    Maybe they should be getting insulted. I don’t leave my children home alone. No I am not a Wanker, nor a Witch. but a nurse in a forensic facility. I do my best to ensure that compassion is served to all humanity even sex offenders and paedophiles. And Joanne

22. 78 hal says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 12:20 am

    karen Says:
    June 30th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
    I have a four year old daughter and i am fraught at the thought of someone taking my princess. Can you imagine her going to sleep at night sobbing with fear and loss.

    Are you suggesting that when the McCanns regularly left their three children unattended as they wined and dined at the tapas bar every night, that their three wee bairns regularly woke up, sobbing with fear and loss, because there were no parents there with them?

23. 77 karen says:
    June 30th, 2007 at 11:19 pm

    What a load of crap from irresponsible selfish and nutty people. Surely there is a time and pace to take the piss! I’m shocked that anyone could be as wicked as to poke fun at Madeleine and her mum and dad, cause thats what you are doing!

    I agree also that no one is perfect we have all done something we wish we hadn’t. I have a four year old daughter and i am fraught at the thought of someone taking my princess. Can you imagine her going to sleep at night sobbing with fear and loss.

    shame on you! All I can say is you must have had a perfect childhood to end up the way you are. Nice way to teach your own children if you even have any?

    I notice that previous days posts are during the day time, go and spend your time looking for a job you lazy shits, of course you may work nights, in that case who’s looking after your kids hey?

    I agree with Wanker comment too!……….sickos!

24. 76 Hecate says:
    June 30th, 2007 at 8:02 pm

    Nope , didn’t say police brutality, but with such demands made on ‘compassion and control’ could it be deemed brutality? or healthy reaction to shits on 2 legs?

25. 75 Tango says:
    June 30th, 2007 at 7:18 pm

    LoL !

26. 74 Hecate says:
    June 30th, 2007 at 6:20 pm

    Joanne, could I plead with you please about Marian, she’s the one who injects the bastard, checks his mouth to make sure he has swallowed the medication, to do this without poisoning, wringing his neck or otherwise ending his miserable existence must take so much courage and self control. Rather like the police who have to feed them when kicking their heads in would feel better.
    They seriously are risking life and limb to keep all of us and our children safe.

27. 73 Tango says:
    June 30th, 2007 at 6:14 pm

    Anyone heard anything new?

28. 72 Gypsy says:
    June 30th, 2007 at 6:12 pm

    Take it that noone here really gives a stuff about madeleine as its such a joke how she went missing so might aswell find another forum.

    It is abit nasty as this forum is about a small child going missing and all you can do is come and joke about her parents ?

    Couldnt you have made a forum and use that yes if it wasnt about such a sad thing then maybe you would be funny but right now your not funny at all …

29. 71 Gypsy says:
    June 30th, 2007 at 6:06 pm

    hey Joanne have yu heard any more on your last post ?? been looking at the news not seen anything ??

    There was a High profile of armed police presence is all it said checking cars in and out of Sotogrande although its normal for the police to be there thier was alot more than normal.

30. 70 Hecate says:
    June 30th, 2007 at 5:50 pm

    Joanne your link didn’t, could you try again please?

31. 69 Hecate says:
    June 30th, 2007 at 5:50 pm

    Just wine and cakes Marian!
    Blackfriars Whitefriars Druids….Although we aren’t averse to other faiths and beliefs, there is so much Christianity nicked from us, and the Heathens too. We are also heavy on incense and oils, but one major difference , we do not have a devil, he is purely Christian.

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