Question

Help understanding a part of a poem?

Answer 1

Hey! I've been trying to re-write the poem "Canto I" by Ezra Pound. I've been doing alright so far but I got to a part that I'm stuck on. I have no idea what this part means whatsoever. I'm looking for some kind of insight on what it means,

Came we then to the bounds of deepest water, To the Kimmerian lands, and peopled cities Covered with close-webbed mist, unpierced ever With glitter of sun-rays Nor with stars stretched, nor looking back from heaven Swartest night stretched over wretched men there. The ocean flowing backward, came we then to the place Aforesaid by Circe. Here did they rites, Perimedes and Eurylochus, And drawing sword from my hip I dug the ell-square pitkin;