Charon is
the ferryman who transports the dead to Hades. He is characterized by Dante as a prickly
white-haired old man with fiery eyes. He refuses initially to take Dante across to the land of
the dead, because Dante is still alive. Virgil silences Charon and wins his compliance by
telling him that that it is God's will that Dante be allowed to cross. Virgil says,
"Vex thee not, Charon;
It is so willed there where is
power to do
That which is willed; and farther question not."
Thereat were
quieted the fleecy cheeks . . . .
In other words, Virgil
says to Charon, don't get upset ("vex thee not") because Godthe one "where is
power" has willed (commanded) this journey. He then tells Charon not to ask any more
questions: God has spoken and that is all he needs to know. Therefore, the fleecy (white
bearded) cheeks of Charon (which would have been moving as he spoke) grow quiet.
In summary: Charon protests taking Dante to hell. Virgil said God wants this. Charon
doesn't question God and so grows quiet and takes Dante across to Hades.
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