They flow, these historic waters, with a pleasant sound, overborne at moments by the clapping noise of Cosenza's washerwomen, who cleanse their linen by beating it, then leave it to dry on the river-bed.

Along the banks stood tall poplars, each a spire of burnished gold, blazing against the dark olive foliage on the slopes behind them; plane trees, also, very rich of colour, and fig trees shedding their latest leaves.

Now, tradition has it that Alaric was buried close to the confluence of the Busento and the Crati.
If so, he lay in full view of the town.

But the Goths are said to have slain all their prisoners who took part in the work, to ensure secrecy.
Are we to suppose that Consentia was depopulated?
On any other supposition the story must be incorrect, and Alaric's tomb would have to be sought at least half a mile away, where the Busento is hidden in its deep valley.
Gibbon, by the way, calls it Busentinus; the true Latin was Buxentius.
To make sure of the present name, I questioned some half a dozen peasants, who all named the river Basenzio or Basenz'; a countryman of more intelligent appearance assured me that this was only a dialectical form, the true one being Busento.

At a bookseller's shop (Cosenza had one, a very little one) I found the same opinion to prevail.
It is difficult to walk much in this climate; lassitude and feverish symptoms follow on the slightest exertion; but--if one can disregard the evil smells which everywhere catch one's breath--Cosenza has wonders and delights which tempt to day-long rambling.