Page:Rape of Prosperine - Claudian (1854).djvu/19


 * 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?