Surrounded by an outer wall of iron, this terrible place was enclosed
within a wall of adamant.
Pluto is generally represented as holding a trident with three prongs, and
has a key in his hand, to intimate that whoever enters can never return. He
is considered as a hard-hearted and inexorable deity, with a grim and
dismal countenance, for which reason, temples were not raised to his
honour, as to the remainder of the gods; though the story of Orpheus shews
that he could be occasionally less severe. {106}
"When ill-fated Orpheus tuned to woe
His potent lyre, and sought the realms below;
Charmed into life unreal forms respired,
And list'ning shades the dulcet note admired.
Love led the sage through Death's tremendous porch,
Cheered with his smile, and lighted with his torch;
Hell's triple dog his playful jaws expands,
Fawns round the god, and licks his baby hands;
In wondering groups the shadowy nations throng,
And sigh or simper, as he steps along;
Sad swains, and nymphs forlorn, on Lethe's brink,
Hug their past sorrows, and refuse to drink;
Night's dazzled empress feels the golden flame
Play round her breast, and melt her frozen frame;
Charms with soft words, and sooths with amorous wiles,
Her iron-hearted lord, and Pluto smiles.
His trembling bride the bard triumphant led
From the pale mansions of the astonished dead;
Gave the fair phantom to admiring light,
Ah! soon again to tread irrevocable night!"