Uninterruptedly, for nine whole days

The carnival endured: a fervent blaze—

Meanwhile continuing—cast a melting heat

Upon the host assembled round the seat

Of Pluto. But poor Bacchus grew afraid,[152]—

He being an alien in the land of dread:

When first he saw the gloomy element,

His heart forsook him, and much tears he spent;

When first he heard the thunderings of hell,

He beat his breast, and cursed his living soul;