Hence is a road that led them a-down to the Tartarean streams, Where Acheron's whirlpool impetuous, into the reeky Deep of Cokytos disgorgeth, with muddy burden. These floods one ferryman serveth, most awful of aspect, Of squalor infernal, Chāron: all filthily unkempt That woolly white cheek-fleece, and fiery the blood-shotten eyeballs: 300 On one shoulder a cloak knotted-up his nudity vaunteth. He himself plieth oar or pole, manageth tiller and sheet, And the relics of mén in his ash-grey barge ferries over; Already old, but green to a god and hearty will age be. Now hitherward to the bank much folk were crowding, a medley Of men and matrons; nor did death's injury conceal Bravespirited heroes, young maidens beauteous unwed, And boys borne to the grave in sight of their sorrowing sires. Countless as in the forest, at a first white frosting of autumn Sere leaves fall to the ground; or like whenas over the ocean Myr[^ia]d birds come thickly flocking, when wintry December 311 Drives them afar southward for shelter upon sunnier shores, So throng'd they; and each his watery journey demanded, All to the further bank stretching-oút their arms impatient: But the sullen boatman took now one now other at will, While some from the river forbade he', an' drave to a distance. Æneas in wonder alike and deep pity then spake. 'Tell-me,' said he, 'my guide, why flock these crowds to the water? Or what seek the spirits? or by what prejudice are these Rudely denied, while those may upon the solemn river embark?' 320 T'whom[B] then briefly again the Avern[^ia]n priestess in answer. 'O Son of Anchises, heavn's true-born glorious offspring, Deep Cokytos it is thou s[^ee]st & Hell's Styg[^ia]n flood, Whose dread sanct[^io]n alone Jove's oath from falsehood assureth. These whom thou pitiedst, th' outcast and unburied are they; That ferryman Chāron; those whom his bark carries over Are the buried; nor ever may mortal across the livid lake Journey, or e'er upon Earth his bones lie peacefully entomb'd: Haunting a hundred years this mournful plain they wander Doom'd for a term, which term expired they win to deliv'rance.' 330 Then he that harken'd stood agaze, his journey arrested, Grieving at heart and much pitying their unmerited lot. There miserably fellow'd in death's indignity saw he Leucaspis with his old Lycian seachieften Orontes, Whom together from Troy in home-coming over the waters Wild weather o'ermaster'd, engulphing both shipping and men. And lo! his helmsman, Palinurus, in eager emotion, Who on th' Afric course, in bright star-light, with a fair wind, Fell by slumber opprest unheedfully into the wide sea: Whom i' the gloom when hardly he knew, now changed in affliction, 340 First he addrest. 'What God, tell-me O Palinurus, of all gods