Two continents, fronting the burning East.... (810)—
that she must travel Eastward, after passing the “Kimmerian Bosphorus,” and cross what is evidently the Volga and now Astrakhân on the Caspian Sea. After this she will encounter “fierce northern blasts” and cross thither to the land of the “Arimaspian host” (East of Herodotus' Scythia) to—
Pluto's gold-abounding flood.... (825).
This is rightly conjectured by Professor Newman to have meant the Ural, the Arimaspi of Herodotus being “the recognized inhabitants of this golden region.”
And here comes (between verses 825 and 835) a puzzle to all the European interpreters. Says the Titan:
To these [Arimaspi and Grypes] approach not; a far border land
Thou next shalt reach, where dwells a swarthy race
Near the Sun's founts, whence is the Æthiop river;
Along its banks proceed till thou attain
The mighty rapids, where from Bybline heights