For Virgil's Ship

May your kind stars guard well all dangers through,
Bright Dioscuri, Helen's kin divine,
The Latin poet who would fain see shine
The golden Cyclades amid the blue.

May he have softest airs man ever knew;
May perfume-breathed Iapyx now incline
With swelling sail to speed him o'er the brine,
Until the stranger shore shall glad his view.

Through all the islands where the dolphins glide
The Mantuan singer fortunately guide;
Lend him, O Cygnus' sons, fraternal ray.

One-half my soul the fragile boat contains,
Which o'er the sea that heard Arion's lay
Bears glorious Virgil to the Gods' domains.