shore—sometimes covered by the swelling waves
that beat on it, when the wintry north winds hide the stars
from view—in a calm it rests in peace, and rises over the
unruffled waters, a broad table-land, a welcome basking-ground 5
for the sea-bird. Here Æneas set up a green stem
of leafy oak with his own royal hand—a sign for the sailors,
that they might know whence to begin their return, and
where to double round their long voyage. Then they choose
their places by lot: there are the captains on the sterns, 10
a glorious sight, gleaming far with gold and purple; the