Of Pluto strong and stern Prosérpina,

For them with marking eye he lurks; on them

Springs from his couch, and pitiless devours.

There, odious to immortals, dreadful Styx

Inhabits: refluent Ocean’s eldest-born:

She from the gods apart for ever dwells

In far-re-echoing mansions, [223]with arch’d roofs

Of loftiest rock o’erhung: and all around

The silver columns lean upon the skies.

Swift-footed Iris, nymph of Thaumas born,