LXXXVII. "Where Scylla here, and there Charybdis lies, And death lurks double. Backward we essay Our course, when lo, from out Pelorus flies The North-Wind, sent to waft us on our way. We pass the place where, mingling with the spray, Through narrow rocks Pantagia's stream outflows; We see low-lying Thapsus and the bay Of Megara. These shores the suppliant shows, Known from the time he shared his wandering chieftain's woes. LXXXVIII. "Far-stretcht against Plemmyrium's wave-beat shore An island lies, before Sicania's bay, Now called Ortygia--'twas its name of yore. Hither from distant Elis, legends say, Beneath the seas Alpheus stole his way, And, mingling now with Arethusa here, Mounts, a Sicilian fountain, to the day. Here we with prayer, obedient to the seer, Invoke the guardian gods to whom the place is dear. LXXXIX. "Thence past Helorus' marish speeds the bark, Where fat and fruitful shines the meadowy lea. We graze the cliffs and jutting rocks, that mark Pachynus. Camarina's fen we see, Fixt there for ever by the fates' decree; Then Gela's town (the river gave the name) And Gela's plains, far-stretching from the sea, And distant towers and lofty walls proclaim Steep Acragas, once known for generous steeds of fame. XC. "Thee too we pass, borne onward by the wind, Palmy Selinus, and the treacherous strand And shoals of Lilybaeum leave behind. Last, by the shore at Drepanum we stand And take the shelter of her joyless land, Here, tost so long o'er many a storm-lashed main, We lose the stay and comfort of our band, Here thou, best father, leav'st me to my pain, Thou, saved from countless risks, but saved, alas, in vain. XCI. "Not Helenus, who many an ill forecast, Warned us to think such sorrow was in store, Not even dire Celaeno. There at last My wanderings ended, and my toils were o'er, And thence a God hath led me to your shore." Thus, while mute wonder did the rest compose, The Sire AEneas did his tale outpour, And told his fates, his wanderings and his woes; Then ceased at length his speech, and sought the wished repose. BOOK FOUR ARGUMENT