The billows break upon the sounding strand, And roll the rising tide, impure with sand. Then thus Anchises, in experience old:-- "'Tis that Charybdis which the seer foretold, And those the promised rocks! Bear off to sea!" With haste the frighted mariners obey. First Palinurus to the larboard veered; Then all the fleet by his example steered. To heaven aloft on ridgy waves we ride, Then down to hell descend, when they divide; And thrice our galleys knocked the stony ground, } And thrice the hollow rocks returned the sound, } And thrice we saw the stars, that stood with dews around. } The flagging winds forsook us, with the sun; And, wearied, on Cyclopian shores we run. The port capacious, and secure from wind, Is to the foot of thundering Ætna joined. By turns a pitchy cloud she rolls on high; } By turns hot embers from her entrails fly, } And flakes of mounting flames, that lick the sky. } Oft from her bowels massy rocks are thrown, And, shivered by the force, come piece-meal down. Oft liquid lakes of burning sulphur flow, Fed from the fiery springs that boil below. Enceladus, they say, transfixed by Jove, With blasted limbs came tumbling from above; And, where he fell, the avenging father drew This flaming hill, and on his body threw. As often as he turns his weary sides, He shakes the solid isle, and smoke the heavens hides. In shady woods we pass the tedious night, } Where bellowing sounds and groans our souls affright, } Of which no cause is offered to the sight. } For not one star was kindled in the sky, Nor could the moon her borrowed light supply; For misty clouds involved the firmament, The stars were muffled, and the moon was pent. Scarce had the rising sun the day revealed, Scarce had his heat the pearly dews dispelled, When from the woods there bolts, before our sight, Somewhat betwixt a mortal and a sprite, So thin, so ghastly meagre, and so wan, So bare of flesh, he scarce resembled man. This thing, all tattered, seemed from far to implore Our pious aid, and pointed to the shore. We look behind, then view his shaggy beard; His clothes were tagged with thorns, and filth his limbs besmeared; The rest, in mien, in habit, and in face, Appeared a Greek, and such indeed he was. He cast on us, from far, a frightful view, Whom soon for Trojans and for foes he knew-- Stood still, and paused; then all at once began To stretch his limbs, and trembled as he ran. Soon as approached, upon his knees he falls, And thus with tears and sighs for pity calls:-- "Now, by the powers above, and what we share From Nature's common gift, this vital air, O Trojans, take me hence! I beg no more; But bear me far from this unhappy shore. 'Tis true, I am a Greek, and farther own, Among your foes besieged the imperial town.