And lo, with speed we plough the watery way;

My power shall guard thee, and my hand convey:

The winged vessel studious I prepare,

Through seas and realms companion of thy care.

Thou to the court ascend: and to the shores

(When night advances) bear the naval stores;

Bread, that decaying man with strength supplies,

And generous wine, which thoughtful sorrow flies.

Meanwhile the mariners, by my command,

Shall speed aboard, a valiant chosen band.

Wide o’er the bay, by vessel vessel rides;

The best I choose to waft then o’er the tides.”


She spoke: to his high dome the prince returns,

And, as he moves, with royal anguish mourns.

’Twas riot all, among the lawless train;

Boar bled by boar, and goat by goat lay slain.

Arrived, his hand the gay Antinous press’d,

And thus deriding, with a smile address’d:


“Grieve not, O daring prince! that noble heart;

Ill suits gay youth the stern heroic part.

Indulge the genial hour, unbend thy soul,

Leave thought to age, and drain the flowing bowl.

Studious to ease thy grief, our care provides

The bark, to waft thee o’er the swelling tides.”


“Is this (returns the prince) for mirth a time?

When lawless gluttons riot, mirth’s a crime;

The luscious wines, dishonour’d, lose their taste;

The song is noise, and impious is the feast.

Suffice it to have spent with swift decay

The wealth of kings, and made my youth a prey.

But now the wise instructions of the sage,

And manly thoughts inspired by manly age,

Teach me to seek redress for all my woe,

Here, or in Pyle—in Pyle, or here, your foe.

Deny your vessels, ye deny in vain:

A private voyager I pass the main.

Free breathe the winds, and free the billows flow;

And where on earth I live, I live your foe.”


He spoke and frown’d, nor longer deign’d to stay,

Sternly his hand withdrew, and strode away.


Meantime, o’er all the dome, they quaff, they feast,

Derisive taunts were spread from guest to guest,