Hella’s Realm: Dives and Dungeons — Part II: Hella Redux

The Nightmare by Henry Fuseli

How can I describe my vision, the air of Hell is too thick for hymns!
Arthur Rimbaud

And now I’m gonna get medieval on yo’ ass,” says Morgana, my guide in Hell. She laughs uproariously at my look of alarm. “Not really, things have moved on a lot since the Dark Ages, when nobody cracked jokes about the Spanish Inquisition because you did expect them to come knocking at your door. Such excesses helped cause a backlash of unbelief that has frankly lifted a great burden from the hearts and souls of suffering humanity. At one stage we were almost closed down as numbers were diminishing so rapidly. Indeed, your compatriots ‘dismissed hell with costs’ two centuries ago in earthly time.

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Asphodel Meadows: The People’s Paradise — Part III: Et in Arcadia (Ego)

Orpheus and Eurydice © Total Immersion Ltd 2012

Orpheus and Eurydice © Total Immersion Ltd 2012

Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave
Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare;
Bold Lover, never, never canst thou kiss,
Though winning near the goal yet, do not grieve;
She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,
For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!
(John Keats, Ode on a Grecian Urn)

We’re almost out of our time together. Do you have any more questions?” asks Orpheus, my charming guide to Paradise.

Not for the moment, thank you, you’ve given me such a wealth of information to reflect on and absorb. You’re a star!”

“Alas not I, only my instrument,” he raises an ironic eyebrow. “And you’re most welcome. I enjoy coming here, especially as it gives me a chance to spend time with my wife.”

Your wife?” My face must have fallen a little, for Orpheus gives me one of his most radiant smiles and pats my hand gently.

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