Odes and Carmen Saeculare — Book I - XIV - O Navis, Referent

O NAVIS, REFERENT.

O LUCKLESS bark!

new waves will force you back To sea.

O, haste to make the haven yours!

E'en now, a helpless wrack, You drift, despoil'd of oars;

The Afric gale has dealt your mast a wound;

Your sailyards groan, nor can your keel sustain, Till lash'd with cables round, A more imperious main.

Your canvass hangs in ribbons, rent and torn;

No gods are left to pray to in fresh need.

A pine of Pontus born Of noble forest breed, You boast your name and lineage--madly blind!

Can painted timbers quell a seaman's fear?

Beware!

or else the wind Makes you its mock and jeer.

Your trouble late made sick this heart of mine, And still I love you, still am ill at ease.

O, shun the sea, where shine The thick-sown Cyclades!

XV.