Final answer:
The poet likely expresses a calm yet somber tone toward the underworld and the souls waiting to cross. Words reflecting seclusion, silent passage, and a lengthy waiting period could reveal this tone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poet expresses a somber and melancholic tone towards the underworld and the souls that must wait 100 years to cross the river.
This can be seen in specific word choices such as 'secluded character' and 'locked up in the body as in a prison,' which convey a sense of isolation and confinement.
For instance, in Virgil's Aeneid, the underworld is portrayed with a solemn tone, and the reference to souls waiting to cross the river for a century implies a sense of aspiration mixed with melancholy.
Typically, words related to seclusion, silent passage, and waiting such as 'secluded,' 'gently streams,' and 'waiting' might reveal a calm yet somber tone.
The poet's tone could also be reflective, considering the fate of souls in their purgatorial state, which is often indicated by descriptions of their waiting or purification processes.