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DESCRIPTION OF THE MORNING BREEZE AT SEA.
FROM CATULLUS.
"Qualis flatu placidum mare matutino
Horrificans Zephyrus proclives excitat undas,
Aurorâ exoriente, vagi sub lumine solis;
Quæ tardè primum elementi flamine pulsæ
Procedunt, leni resonant clamore cachinni:
Post vento crescente, magis magis increbrescunt,
Purpureâque procul nantes a luce refulgent."
Horrificans Zephyrus proclives excitat undas,
Aurorâ exoriente, vagi sub lumine solis;
Quæ tardè primum elementi flamine pulsæ
Procedunt, leni resonant clamore cachinni:
Post vento crescente, magis magis increbrescunt,
Purpureâque procul nantes a luce refulgent."
As when beneath the morning Zephyr's breath
The calm and level ocean shuddereth;
While the dawn opens, and with trembling rays
The sun-light o'er th' awakened ripples plays.
Slowly at first beneath the gentle breeze
The waves flow murmuring o'er the laughing seas.
Soon the wind freshens. Loftier swells the deep;
Faster and faster on the billows sweep;
And, struck by the bright day-spring's rosy beams,
Each foaming crest with far-seen lustre gleams.
The calm and level ocean shuddereth;
While the dawn opens, and with trembling rays
The sun-light o'er th' awakened ripples plays.
Slowly at first beneath the gentle breeze
The waves flow murmuring o'er the laughing seas.
Soon the wind freshens. Loftier swells the deep;
Faster and faster on the billows sweep;
And, struck by the bright day-spring's rosy beams,
Each foaming crest with far-seen lustre gleams.