Homer's Hymn to Castor and Pollux
Ye wild-eyed Muses, sing the Twins of Jove,Whom the fair-ankled Leda, mixed in loveWith mighty Saturn's Heaven-obscuring Child,On Taygetus, that lofty mountain wild,Brought forth in joy: mild Pollux, void of blame,And steed-subduing Castor, heirs of fame.These are the Powers who earth-born mortals saveAnd ships, whose flight is swift along the wave.When wintry tempests o'er the savage seaAre raging, and the sailors tremblinglyCall on the Twins of Jove with prayer and vow,Gathered in fear upon the lofty prow,And sacrifice with snow-white lambs,--the windAnd the huge billow bursting close behind,Even then beneath the weltering waters bearThe staggering ship--they suddenly appear,On yellow wings rushing athwart the sky,And lull the blasts in mute tranquillity,And strew the waves on the white Ocean's bed,Fair omen of the voyage; from toil and dreadThe sailors rest, rejoicing in the sight,And plough the quiet sea in safe delight.
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