Classic Poem

THE HORRORS OF TARTARUS

" Here do the first-born children of Earth, her off-spring Titanic,
Hurled by the thunder down, still writhe in its deepest abysses.
Here, too, I saw the Aloidan twins, gigantic of stature,
Who with their hands essayed to rend the vast arch of the heavens,
And to thrust Jupiter down from his throne of celestial dominion,
There, too, I witnessed the fearful atonement Salmoneus rendered,
Daring to imitate Jupiter's fire, and Olympian thunder,
Borne in a four-horse car, and brandishing torches, he proudly
Passed through the tribes of Greece, and the principal city of Elis.
Madman! to claim for himself the honour due only to Heaven,
Counterfeiting with brass and the horny hoofs of his horses
Cloud, and tempest, and hail, and the matchless voice of the thunder!
But, from an angry sky, one bolt the omnipotent Father
Hurling, — not firebrands, he, nor flaring and smouldering torches, —
Dashed him headlong down by the awful breath of his lightning.
Tityos, son of all-mothering earth, could be recognized also,
Stretched on the ground, his frame o'er nine whole acres extending,
While, with its curving beak, a ravenous vulture forever
Tearing his undying liver and vitals prolific of torment,
Worries about for its food, and under his ribs' lofty arches
Ever abides, and allows no rest to the burgeoning fibres.
Why of the Lapithae speak, of Pirithous, or of Ixion,
Whom a dark rock overhangs, ever slipping, and trembling, and seeming
Certain to fall; the frames of grand and luxurious couches
Glitter with gold, and feasts that a monarch might envy are standing
Full in their view; but the chief of the Furies, couching beside them,
Instantly leaps to her feet if they stretch forth their hands to the tables.
Beating them back with her torch, and thundering curses upon them.
Here, whoever on earth hath been guilty of hating a brother,
Whoso hath beaten a parent, or broken faith with a client,
All who have selfishly clung to treasure unearthed by good fortune,
Setting apart no share for their friends — and this throng is the greatest —
All for adultery slain, and all who have joined in sedition,
Daring to break their oaths and plighted vows of allegiance;
All, here imprisoned, await their reward. Seek not to discover
What that punishment is, or what manner of doom hath o'erwhelmed them.
Some a huge rock must roll, or, immovably fastened, are hanging
Stretched by the spokes of wheels; there sits, and shall sit through the ages,
Heart-broken Theseus, while Phlegyas mournfully cries through the shadows,
Testifying aloud, and admonishing all who will listen,
" Learn from my fate to be just, and hold not the gods in derision."
This one hath bartered his country for gold, and a powerful tyrant
Placed on the throne, and laws for a price hath ordained and abolished;
This with unholy desire hath dishonoured the name of a daughter;
All have dared some infamous crime, and daring, achieved it.
Not, if an hundred tongues were mine, if mine were an hundred
Mouths, and an iron voice, could tell all the forms of transgression,
Or all the names rehearse of the retributions they suffer. "
Soon as the reverend priestess of Phaebus had ended her story,
" Speed on your way, " she cried; " now finish the course undertaken.
Hasten we onward! The walls wrought out in the forge of the Cyclops
Now I behold, and the gate in the arching rock that confronts us,
Where we are now required to surrender the gift we are bearing. "
Silently, then, pressing forward together through shadowy pathways,
Swiftly they cover the space that remains, and draw nigh to the portal.
Quickly Æneas approaches the entrance, and over his body
Sprinkles pure water, and fastens the branch to the lintel before him.