Homer's Hymn to Castor and Pollux

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

Whom the fair-ankled Leda, mixed in love

With 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 save

And ships, whose flight is swift along the wave.

When wintry tempests o'er the savage sea

Are raging, and the sailors tremblingly

Call on the Twins of Jove with prayer and vow,

Gathered in fear upon the lofty prow,

And sacrifice with snow-white lambs, — the wind

And the huge billow bursting close behind,

Even then beneath the weltering waters bear

The 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 dread

The sailors rest, rejoicing in the sight,

And plough the quiet sea in safe delight.