Homer's Hymn to Castor and Pollux

1Ye wild-eyed Muses, sing the Twins of Jove,

2Whom the fair-ankled Leda, mixed in love

3With mighty Saturn's Heaven-obscuring Child,

4On Taygetus, that lofty mountain wild,

5Brought forth in joy: mild Pollux, void of blame,

6And steed-subduing Castor, heirs of fame.

7These are the Powers who earth-born mortals save

8And ships, whose flight is swift along the wave.

9When wintry tempests o'er the savage sea

10Are raging, and the sailors tremblingly

11Call on the Twins of Jove with prayer and vow,

12Gathered in fear upon the lofty prow,

13And sacrifice with snow-white lambs, — the wind

14And the huge billow bursting close behind,

15Even then beneath the weltering waters bear

16The staggering ship — they suddenly appear,

17On yellow wings rushing athwart the sky,

18And lull the blasts in mute tranquillity,

19And strew the waves on the white Ocean's bed,

20Fair omen of the voyage; from toil and dread

21The sailors rest, rejoicing in the sight,

22And plough the quiet sea in safe delight.