392
VIRGIL's
Æn. III.
Forsake the Seat, and leaving few behind,
We spread our sails before the willing Wind.
Now from the sight of Land our Gallies move,
With only Seas around, and Skies above. 255
When o'er our Heads, descends a burst of Rain;
And Night, with sable Clouds involves the Main:
The ruffling Winds the foamy Billows raise:
The scatter'd Fleet is forc'd to sev'ral Ways:
The face of Heav'n is ravish'd from our Eyes, 260
And in redoubl'd Peals the roaring Thunder flies.
Cast from our Course, we wander in the Dark;
No Stars to guide, no point of Land to mark.
Ev'n Palinurus no distinction found
Betwixt the Night and Day; such Darkness reign'd around.
Three starless Nights the doubtful Navy strays 265
Without distinction, and three Sunless days.
The fourth renews the Light, and from our Shrowds
We view a rising Land like distant Clouds:
The Mountain tops confirm the pleasing Sight; 270
And curling Smoke ascending from their Height.
The Canvas falls; their Oars the Sailors ply;
From the rude strokes the whirling Waters fly,
At length I land upon the Strophades;
Safe from the danger of the stormy Seas: 275
Those Isles are compass'd by th' Ionian Main;
The dire Abode where the foul Harpies reign:
Forc'd by the winged Warriors to repair
To their old Homes, and leave their costly Fare.
We spread our sails before the willing Wind.
Now from the sight of Land our Gallies move,
With only Seas around, and Skies above. 255
When o'er our Heads, descends a burst of Rain;
And Night, with sable Clouds involves the Main:
The ruffling Winds the foamy Billows raise:
The scatter'd Fleet is forc'd to sev'ral Ways:
The face of Heav'n is ravish'd from our Eyes, 260
And in redoubl'd Peals the roaring Thunder flies.
Cast from our Course, we wander in the Dark;
No Stars to guide, no point of Land to mark.
Ev'n Palinurus no distinction found
Betwixt the Night and Day; such Darkness reign'd around.
Three starless Nights the doubtful Navy strays 265
Without distinction, and three Sunless days.
The fourth renews the Light, and from our Shrowds
We view a rising Land like distant Clouds:
The Mountain tops confirm the pleasing Sight; 270
And curling Smoke ascending from their Height.
The Canvas falls; their Oars the Sailors ply;
From the rude strokes the whirling Waters fly,
At length I land upon the Strophades;
Safe from the danger of the stormy Seas: 275
Those Isles are compass'd by th' Ionian Main;
The dire Abode where the foul Harpies reign:
Forc'd by the winged Warriors to repair
To their old Homes, and leave their costly Fare.
