by Alexander Pope (1688 - 1744)
But when through all the infernal bounds
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Language: English
But when thro' all th'infernal bounds
Which flaming Phlegethon surrounds,
Love, strong as Death, the Poet led
To the pale nations of the dead,
What sounds were heard,
What scenes appear'd,
O'er all the dreary coasts!
Dreadful gleams,
Dismal screams,
Fires that glow,
Shrieks of woe,
Sullen moans,
Hollow groans,
And cries of tortur'd ghosts!
But, hark! he strikes the golden lyre;
And see! the tortur'd ghosts respire,
See, shady forms advance!
Thy stone, O Sisyphus, stands still,
Ixion rests upon his wheel.
And the pale spectres dance!
The Furies sink upon their iron beds,
And snakes uncurl'd hang list'ning round their heads.
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Researcher for this page: John Fowler
Text Authorship:
- by Alexander Pope (1688 - 1744), appears in Ode on St. Cecilia's Day, no. 4, first published 1708 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
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Researcher for this page: John Fowler
This text was added to the website: 2009-09-04
Line count: 22
Word count: 104