Is Palinurus now, and the winds whirl him
All up and down the shore. By the kind light
And spacious air I pray thee: by thy Sire
And young Iulus growing fair and tall
Defeat my woes, unconquerable man!
Either cast earth upon me—as thou mayst
To Veline harbour steering, or maybe
If there’s a way–thy mother was divine
And much it needeth the god’s help to float;
On such grand rivers and the Stygian mere–
Hold out thy hand to one who is in sorrow,
Bear me across the wave! So shall I know
At least of Death the quiet and the home."
He spake: the Sibyl answered: "Palinurus,
What dread desire is thine? Wouldst thou attempt,
Unburied, waves of Styx and that stern stream
The Furies haunt? Wouldst thou approach that shore
And have no mandate? Dost thou hope to melt
Fate with a prayer? But listen and take heart
For all the people of the cities round
Driven forth by omens dire from the high heaven
Shall honour thy remains and raise a tomb
And on thy tomb shall all due rites perform
And all that place for evermore shall keep
The name of Palinurus." As she spake
His trouble ceased: a while from his sad heart
Grief flies. He is glad the land should beat his name.
Set path pursuing they approached the stream
Whom soon the sailor of the Stygian wave
Saw pass the silent wood and seek the marge
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