Page:Statius (Mozley 1928) v1.djvu/199

from the land, and dropped the narrow gangway into the water. On the stern the ruthless master with long-drawn shout severs our embraces and parts loving lips, nor may one linger long upon the dear one’s breast. Yet last of all will I be to go on land, nor will I leave the ship until she is already under way.

Who made of the strange and sundered sea a highway for miserable men, and cast forth upon the waves the loyal children of the solid earth and hurled them into the jaws of ocean—daring of spirit? for not more adventurous was the valour that joined frozen Pelion to Ossa’s summit, and crushed panting Olympus beneath two mountains. So small a feat was it to traverse sluggish lakes and meres and fling bridges across the narrowed streams? Forth we go into sheer void, and are fled from the native lands about us, enclosed in nought but a few planks and the empty air. Therefore do the winds and angry tempests rage, the sky thunders and many a bolt is sped from the hand of Jove. Before ships were, the waters lay in a slumbrous calm, Thetis dared not foam nor the waves assault the clouds. But when they spied vessels, the billows swelled with rage, and the hurricane arose against man. Then the Pleiads and the Olenian goat^[1] grew dark with storm, and Orion was more wrathful than his wont. Not in vain is my complaint: lo! speeding over the pathless waters flies the ship, lessening by degrees and baffling the eyes that view her from afar; how many fears does she hold within her slender timbers! thee above all must she bear onward, Celer, object of my love! With what feelings can I endure night’s slumbers or the day? Who will tell me, a prey to