Aeneid

Virgil

Vergil. The Aeneid of Virgil. Williams, Theodore, C, translator. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1910.

  1. So saying, he grasped his rudder tight, and clung
  2. more firmly, fixing on the stars his eyes.
  3. Then waved the god above his brows a branch
  4. wet with the dews of Lethe and imbued
  5. with power of Stygian dark, until his eyes
  6. wavered and slowly sank. The slumberous snare
  7. had scarce unbound his limbs, when, leaning o'er,
  8. the god upon the waters flung him forth,
  9. hands clutching still the helm and ship-rail torn,
  10. and calling on his comrades, but in vain.
  11. Then soared th' immortal into viewless air;
  12. and in swift course across the level sea
  13. the fleet sped safe, protected from all fear
  14. by Neptune's vow. Yet were they drawing nigh
  15. the sirens' island-steep, where oft are seen
  16. white, bleaching bones, and to the distant ear
  17. the rocks roar harshly in perpetual foam.
  18. Then of his drifting fleet and pilot gone
  19. Aeneas was aware, and, taking helm,
  20. steered through the midnight waves, with many a sigh;
  21. and, by his comrade's pitiable death
  22. sore-smitten, cried, “O, thou didst trust too far
  23. fair skies and seas, and liest without a grave,
  24. my Palinurus, in a land unknown!”