Page:Statius (Mozley 1928) v1.djvu/325

A house hast thou there, a house! Who would call it a gloomy sepulchre? Justly would one exclaim, seeing the devotion of her spouse: “Truly is he the minister of him who lately for his everlasting race founded a sacred shrine,^[1] and set his kindred stars in another heaven.” So when some great ship sets forth on a new voyage from the Pharian^[2] strand, and already has stretched out on either side a thousand ropes and the broad arms of her sail-bearing mast, and started on her way, some tiny pinnace sails on the same sea, and claims her share of the limitless South wind.

Why now, choicest of youths, dost thou cherish sorrow in thy heart beyond due measure, nor suffer thy long grief to have an end? Fearest thou lest Priscilla tremble at Cerberus’ howling? he is silent for the blessed. Lest the sailor be slow to draw nigh her, or disturb her on the waters? He conveys deserving souls forthwith, and quietly sets them in his welcoming craft. Moreover, whenever a shade approaches that has won the praise of a loving spouse, Proserpine bids summon joyful torches, and the heroines of old to come forth from hallowed bowers and scatter the shades of gloom in radiant light, and strew garlands and Elysian flowers before her. Thus doth Priscilla enter the kingdom of the dead; there with suppliant hand she prays the Fates for thee, and placates the lords of grim Avernus, that having fulfilled the term of human life thou in old age mayst leave thy prince still giving peace to the world and still young! The unfailing Sisters take oath to grant her prayers.