Who, as the well-known shore behind him glided,
His life intrusted to the fickle breeze;
And, as his unknown seaward course he sped305
Within his slender craft with foolish daring,
Midway 'twixt life and death went onward faring,
Along the perilous narrow margin led.
Not yet were sparkling constellations known,
Or sky, all spangled with the starry glory;310
Not yet could sailors read the warning story
By stormy Hyades upon the heavens thrown.