Stand to announce thyself, nor further make footing onward. Here 'tis a place of ghosts, of night & drowsy delusion: 390 Forbidden unto living mortals is my Stygian keel: Truly not Alkides embarkt I cheerfully, nor took Of Theseus or Pirithous glad custody, nay though God-sprung were they both, warriors invincible in might: Hé 'twas would sportively the guard of Tartarus enchain, Yea and from the palace with gay contumely dragged him: Théy to ravish Hell's Queen from Pluto's chamber attempted.' Then thus th' Amphrysian prophetess spake briefly in answer. 'No such doughty designs are ours, Cease thou to be movèd! Nor these sheeny weapons intend force. Cerberus unvext Surely for us may affray the spirits with 'howling eternal, 401 And chaste Persephone enjoy her queenly seclusion. Troian Æneas, bravest and gentlest-hearted, Hath left earth to behold his father in out-lying Ades. If the image ' of a so great virtue doth not affect thee, Yet this bough'--glittering she reveal'd its golden avouchment-- 'Thou mayst know.' Forthwith his bluster of heart was appeasèd: Nor word gave-he, but admiring the celestial omen, That bright sprigg of weird for so long period unseen, Quickly he-túrneth about his boat, to the margin approaching, 410 And the spirits, that along the gun'al benchways sat in order, Drave he ashore, offering readyroom: but when the vessel took Ponderous Æneas, her timbers crankily straining Creak'd, an' a brown water came trickling through the upper seams. Natheless both Sibyl ánd Hero, slow wafted across stream, Safe on th' ooze & slime's hideous desolation alighted. Hence the triple-throated bellowings of Cerberus invade All Hell, where opposite the arrival he lies in a vast den. But the Sibyl, who mark'd his necklaces of stiffening snakes, Cast him a cake, poppy-drench'd with drowsiness and honey-sweeten'd. 420 He, rabid and distending a-hungry' his triply-cavern'd jaws, Gulp'd the proffer'd morsel; when slow he-relaxt his immense bulk, And helplessly diffused fell out-sprawl'd over the whole cave. Æneas fled by, and left full boldly the streamway, That biddeth all men across but alloweth ne'er a returning. Already now i' the air were voices heard, lamentation, And shrilly crying of infant souls by th' entry of Ades. Babes, whom unportion'd of sweet life, unblossoming buds, One black day carried off and chokt in dusty corruption.-- Next are they who falsely accused were wrongfully condemn'd Unto the death: but here their lot by justice is order'd. 431 Inquisitor Minos, with his urn, summoning to assembly His silent council, their deed or slander arraigneth.-- Next the sullen-hearted, who rashly with else-innocent hand Their own life did-away, for hate or weariness of light, Imperiling their souls.