far and wide through their cities by prodigies from heaven, shall propitiate your dust: they shall erect a tomb, and through that tomb send down your funeral dues, and the 25 spot shall bear forever the name of Palinurus.” These words allayed his cares, and banished for a while grief from that sad bosom: his heart leaps to the land that is called by his name. They accordingly continue their journey, and approach 30 the river. Soon as the boatman saw them, at the moment, from the wave of Styx, moving through the stilly forest, and turning their steps to the bank, he first bespeaks them thus, and assails them unaccosted: “You, whoever you are, that are making for these waters of ours in warlike 35 trim, speak your errand from the spot where you are, and come no nearer. This is the place for the shadows, for Sleep and slumberous Night. The bodies of the living may not be ferried in my Stygian barque. Nay, it was not to my joy that I gave Alcides a passage over the lake, nor Theseus and Pirithous, born of gods though they were, and of strength unsubdued. The one laid a jailer’s hand on the warder of Tartarus, even at the foot of the 5 king’s own throne, and dragged him trembling along: the others essayed to carry off the queen from Pluto’s bridal chamber.” To which the Amphrysian priestess replied in brief: “Here there are no stratagems like those; be not discomposed; these weapons are not borne for 10 violence; the monstrous guardian of your gate is free to terrify the bloodless spectres from his den with his unending bark; Proserpine is free to keep her uncle’s home as faithful wife should. This is Æneas of Troy, renowned for piety and arms alike: it is to see his father that he 15 is going down to Erebus’ lowest depth of gloom. If thou art moved in nought by the spectacle of piety so signal, yet let this branch”—she uncovered the branch which was concealed in her robe—‘claim recognition.’ At once the angry swell subsides, and the breast is calm. 20 No further parley. Gazing in wonder at the sacred offering of the fated bough, last seen so long ago, he turns to them the sea-green boat, and draws near the bank. Then he dislodges other ghostly passengers who were sitting along the benches, and clears the gangways, while 25 he takes into the vessel’s hollow the mighty Æneas. The sutures of the boat cracked beneath the weight, as through its rents it drew in large draughts of marsh-water. At length priestess and prince are safe across the flood, set down amid featureless mud and blue-green rushes. 30