Embarkation of the Greeks

When with food and drink
All were supplied, the striplings crown'd with wine
The foaming bowls, and handed round to each,
In cups, a portion to libations due.
They, all day long, with hymns the god appeased;
The sons of Greece melodious paeans sang
In praise of great Apollo — he rejoiced
To hear that pleasant song — and when the sun
Descended to the sea, and darkness came,
They near the cables of their vessels slept.
Soon as the rosy-finger'd queen appear'd,
Aurora, lovely daughter of the dawn,
Toward the camp of Greece they took their way,
And friendly Phoebus gave propitious gales.
They raised the mast, and stretch'd the snowy sheet,
To catch the breeze which fill'd the swelling sail.
Around the keel the darken'd waters roar,
As swift the vessel flies. The billows dark
She quickly mounting, stemm'd the watery way.