Cocytus : river of wailing, tributary of Acheron (see Acherontian waters) in Hades.
... atmosphere. It makes of historical and legendary hell a living citadel of romance. Here is another example: Abhorrèd Styx, the flood of deadly hate; Sad Acheron of sorrow, black and deep; Cocytus, named of lamentation loud, Heard on the rueful stream; fierce Phlegeton, Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage. Milton conjures up the atmosphere by epithets that increase... significance of the names. The word "Styx" seems a cruel word, its hard consonants recall hate. "Acheron" appears to be, by its open vowels, reminiscent of sorrow, the choking sound of grief. "Cocytus" carries a sharp yet prolonged burst of suffering breath. "Phlegeton" reminds one simultaneously of fire and water by its fricative and cutting consonants followed by a nasal sound. All these names ...
... fellow-butcher. IOLAUS The gods have punished him for his offences, Ambition and a hideous cruelty Ingenious in mere horror. PERSEUS Burn him with rites, If that may help his soul by dark Cocytus. Page 507 But let us go and end these strange upheavals: Call Cireas from his hiding for reward, Tyrnaus too, and Smerdas from his prison, Fair Diomede from Cydone's house. Humble ...
... must cross, Our terrible four rivers circling round His rocky Fort - invincible protection Against intruders. - Will your vaunting loud Cross Phlegethon's black fires that scald the flesh, And Cocytus that carries the cosmic grief, River of sad and endless lamentation? And wild tumultuous Styx of hatred dire, Page 67 And Acheron, torrential, dismal flood Of deep-sunk, sweltering ...
... river's Greek name and running in the right psychologically effective rhythm of vowels and consonants: Abhorrèd Styx, the flood of deadly hate; Sad Acheron of sorrow, black and deep; Cocytus, named of lamentation loud Heard on the rueful stream; fierce Phlegeton, Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage. Far off from these, a slow and silent stream, Lethe, ...
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