n
the shore and then washed off again. But he passionately entreated AEneas
either to find his corpse and inter it with proper solemnities, or else to
contrive some means of taking him as his companion across the black waters
of Styx, unburied as he was, that at last his soul might find rest. The
Sibyl, however, rebuked him for expressing so impious a desire, and for
hoping that the fixed decrees of the Gods could be violated for the
benefit of one insignificant mortal. But by way of consolation she
informed him that the people of the country where he had met with his
death, compelled by terrible plagues sent by Jupiter, would offer solemn
atonement to his remains, erect a tomb to his memory, and give his name to
the place where it stood.

AEneas and the Sibyl now advanced toward the river; but when Charon saw
them approaching, he called out, "Whoever thou mayest be that art now
coming armed and in life to our rivers, say quickly on what errand thou
art coming. This is the region of ghosts and death; to waft over the
bodies of the living in my boat is not permitted. Nor was it joyful to me
to receive Hercules when he came, nor Theseus and Pirithous, though they
were descendants of the Gods and unconquerable in war. Hercules dared to
bind in chains Cerberus himself, the keeper of the gate of Tartarus, and
dragged him trembling from the very throne of Pluto. The others attempted
a feat scarcely less perilous, for they sought to carry off our queen
Proserpine."

"Be not disturbed," answered the Sibyl; "we at least meditate no such
plots, nor does this mortal bring with him his arms for any purpose of
violence. He is AEneas of Troy, illustrious for piety and skill in arms,
and he penetrates these gloomy abodes to have converse with his father
Anchises. If your compassion is not moved by his filial devotion, at least
pay regard to this branch." And so saying, she produced the golden bough.
The surly ferryman, though filled with rage at being forced to obey, was
at once silenced. He brought his boat to the bank, and silently received
into it AEneas and his companion, driving back the ghosts that at the same
time eagerly strove to enter the vessel. It was old and leaky, and sank
deep in the black flood under the unaccustomed weight of living mortals;
but Charon ferried them safely across, and landed them on the farther
side, where, in a huge den at the gate of the infernal regions, lay
Cerberus, the terrible three-headed dog