The divine poet represents the King of Gods seated on a golden throne, at the feet of which are two cups, containing the principle of good and evil. […] The contest of Venus for the golden apple is well known. […] If any living person presented himself to cross the lake, he could not be admitted before he showed Charon a golden bough; and Charon was once imprisoned for a year, because he had ferried Hercules over without this passport. […] He plucked the corn, and straight his grasp appears, Filled with a bending tuft of golden ears. […] may I feel the golden plague no more!’”