Odes 1.3 (Creech): Sic Te Diva

SO may kind Venus guide thy Sails,
So Helen's Brothers shining Stars,
Secure thee from thy fears:
So Eol loose the Southern gales,
And all the other Winds controul;
As Thou dost waft my Virgil o're,
And land him on the Attick shore;
Preserving half my Soul.

His Heart was Brass, who first did dare
In feeble Ships to stem the Seas,
Who weeping Hyades
And Monsters saw, nor stoop't to bear.

Who saw the headlong Whirlwinds fight,
And South-winds rage, that best can raise
Or smooth the Adriatick Seas,
Nor dy'd at such a sight.

What Face of Death can move his fears,
That saw with an undaunted Eye
Vast Rocks and Waves as high:
And could restrain his flowing tears?

In vain the Gods designd, in vain,
In vain they did the Lands divide
By an unfriendly Tide,
If impious Ships can cross the Main.

Man forc't by an imperious Will,
Do's make all hast to be undone,
And very eagerly rush on
To court forbidden Ill.

Prometheus brought Celestial fire,
Which first by wicked Arts He stole,
To give his Clay a Soul,
And kindle this absurd desire.

But Vengeance soon pursu'd deceit,
For thence began an unknown disease,
Thence cruel Feavers first did seize,
And took their fatal Heat.

Then lazy Death did mend her pace,
Our Life contracted to a span,
Death came in hast on Man,
And stopt his yet unfinisht race.

With Wings which Nature's Laws deny,
First Doedalus did boldly dare
To beat the Empty Air,
And wander thro the liquid Sky.

Thro Hell the fierce Alcides ran,
He scorn'd the stubborn chains of Fate,
And rudely broke the Brazen Gate;
Nought is too hard for Man.

Grown Giants in Impiety,
Our Impious folly dares the Sky,
We dare assault Jove's glorious Throne,
Nor, still averse to his command,
Will we permit his lifted Hand
To lay his Thunder down.