Four ways their flying march, along the banks 575 Of four infernal rivers that disgorge179 Into the burning lake their baleful streams; Abhorrèd Styx the flood of deadly hate, Sad Acheron of sorrow, black and deep; Cocytus, named of lamentation loud 580 Heard on the rueful stream; fierce Phlegethon Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage. Far off from these a slow and silent stream, Lethe the river of oblivion rolls Her wat’ry labyrinth, whereof who drinks, 585 Forthwith his former state and being forgets, Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain.
