Will prove my shortest road to Pluto’s den.
16
‘Hence must I come to Tartarus; once there
Turn as I may,’ and straight to death had sprung;
When in the mossy tower the imprison’d air
Was shaken, and the hoary stones gave tongue,
‘Stand firm! stand firm!’ that rugged voice outcried;
‘Of such as choose despondency for guide
Hast thou not heard what bitterest fate is sung?
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