80
REMAINS OF HESIOD.
Then is the season fair to spread the sail:
Nor then thy ship shall founder in the gale
And seas o'erwhelm the crew: unless the Power,
Who shakes the shores with waves, have will'd their mortal hour:
Or he th' immortals' king require their breath,
Whose hands the issues hold of life and death
For good and evil men: but now the seas
Are dangerless, and clear the calmy breeze.
Then trust the winds, and let thy vessel sweep
With all her freight the level of the deep.
But rapidly retrace thy homeward way
Nor till the season of new wine delay:
Late autumn's torrent showers: bleak winter's sweep:
The south-blast ruffling strong the tossing deep:
When air comes rushing in autumnal rain,
And curls with many a ridge the troubled main.
Nor then thy ship shall founder in the gale
And seas o'erwhelm the crew: unless the Power,
Who shakes the shores with waves, have will'd their mortal hour:
Or he th' immortals' king require their breath,
Whose hands the issues hold of life and death
For good and evil men: but now the seas
Are dangerless, and clear the calmy breeze.
Then trust the winds, and let thy vessel sweep
With all her freight the level of the deep.
But rapidly retrace thy homeward way
Nor till the season of new wine delay:
Late autumn's torrent showers: bleak winter's sweep:
The south-blast ruffling strong the tossing deep:
When air comes rushing in autumnal rain,
And curls with many a ridge the troubled main.
Before the summer-tropic fifty days
Thy keel may safely plough the azure ways.
Thy keel may safely plough the azure ways.