Classic Poem

C HARON , O Charon,
Thou wafter of the souls to bliss or bane! Charon:
Who calls the ferry-man of Hell? Orpheus:
Come near,
And say who lives in joy, and who in fear. Charon:
Those that die well, eternal joys shall follow;
Those that die ill, their own foul fate shall swallow. Orpheus:
Shall thy black bark those guilty spirits stow
That kill themselves for love? Charon:
O no, no,
My cordage cracks when such great sins are near,
No wind blows fair, nor I myself can steer. Orpheus:
What lovers pass and in Elysium reign? Charon:
Those gentle loves that are beloved again. Orpheus:
This soldier loves, and fain would die to win,
Shall he go on? Charon:
No, 'tis too foul a sin.
He must not come aboard; I dare not row,
Storms of despair and guilty blood will blow. Orpheus:
Shall time release him, say? Charon:
No, no, no, no,
Nor time nor death can alter us, nor prayer;
My boat is destiny, and who then dare
But those appointed come aboard? Love still
And love by reason, mortal, not by will. Orpheus:
And when thy mistress shall close up thine eyes, Charon:
Then come aboard and pass, Orpheus:
Till when, be wise. Charon:
Till when, be wise.