This one had unfather'd his blood with bestial incest: All some fearful crime had dared & vaunted achievement. What mind could harbour the offence of such recollection, Or lend welcoming ear to the tale of iniquity and shame, And to the pains wherewith such deeds are justly requited? Ev'n when thus she' had spok'n, the priestess dear to Apollo, 'But, ready, come let us ón, perform-we the order appointed! Hast'n-we (saith-she), the wall forged on Cyclopian anvils Now I see, an' th' archway in Ætna's furnace attemper'd, 631 Where my lore biddeth us to depose our high-privileg'd gift.' Then together they trace i' the drooping dimness a footpath, Whereby, faring across, they arrive at th' arches of iron. Æneas stept into the porch, and duly besprinkling His body with clear water affixt his bough to the lintel; And, having all perform'd at length with ritual exact, They came out on a lovely pleasance, that dream'd-of oasis, Fortunate isle, the abode o' the blest, their fair Happy Woodland. Here is an ampler sky, those meads ar' azur'd by a gentler Sun than th' Earth, an' a new starworld their darkness adorneth. 641 Some were matching afoot their speed on a grassy arena, In playful combat some wrestling upon the yellow sand, Part in a dance-rhythm or poetry's fine phantasy engage; While full-toga'd anear their high-priest musical Orpheus Bade his prime sev'n tones in varied harmony discourse, Now with finger, anon sounding with an ivory plectrum. And here Æneas met Teucer's fortunate offspring, High-spirited heroes, fair-favor'd sons o' the morning, Assarac and Ilos ' and Dardan founder of Il[^iu]m: 650 Their radiant chariots he' espied rank't empty afar off, Their spears planted afield, their horses wandering at large, Grazing around:--as on earth their joy had been, whether armour Or chariot had charmed them, or if 'twer' good manage and care Of the gallant warhorse, the delight liv'd here unabated; Lo! then others, that about the meadow sat feasting in idless, And chanting for joy a familyar pæan of old earth, By fragrant laurel o'ercanopied, where 'twixt enamel'd banks Bountiful Eridanus glides throu' their bosky retirement. Here were men who bled for honour, their country defending; 660 Priests, whose lives wer' a flame of chastity on God's altar; Holy poets, content to await their crown of Apollo; Discoverers, whose labour had aided life or ennobled; Or who fair memories had left though kindly deserving. On their brow a fillet pearl-white distinguisheth all these: Whom the Sibyl, for they drew round, in question accosted, And most Musæus, who tower'd noble among them, Center of all that sea of bright faces looking upward. 'Tell, happy souls, and thou poet and high mystic illustrious,