7
Then Maia's son, to do his prompt command
He bids be summon'd; Hermes waits at hand,
With winged cap, and sleep-compelling wand.
In gloomy state upon his rugged throne
He sits; his sceptre with foul rust overgrown
Uncouth and massive in his hand he rears;
Girt with a dismal cloud more dire appears
His lofty head; there grief with terror blends,
And to that shape severe a stony stiffness lends.
Then forth there came a voice: as peal'd its sound,
A shuddering silence fill'd the halls around:
Hush'd was the barking of that warder fell,
Three-headed Cerberus; Cocytus, well
Of darkly flowing tears, their flow represt;
Ceased Acheron to moan, sank Phlegethon to rest.
"Arcadian child of Atlas, link that bindest
This nether realm to Heaven, that only findest
Permitted access to both worlds, and art
The licensed merchant of their common mart—
Go, in thy speed surpass the rapid air,
And thus to haughty Jove my mandate bear.
'So far hath fortune bow'd me to thy sway,
And taken with the heavens my power away,
Of strength and arms bereft, as of the day?
