3470'Alas! sweet maid,' quoth he, 'Fates do deny
Freedom from thence, nor can I pay the fee.
'Fee!' says she, 'fear not: if an earldom can
Purchase thy freedom, I will give it, man.'
'Thou canst not ransom one from Pluto's jail,
Shouldst thou lay down the gaudy triple crown;
With steely-hearted Fate naught can prevail,
On whose harsh brow there ever dwells a frown.
Speak fair, thy business: for I must begone,
Grim Charon waits for me at Acheron.'