| |
I OTHERS endure Man’s rule: he therefore deems | |
| I shall endure it—I, the unconquered Air! | |
| Imagines this triumphant strength may bear | |
| His paltry sway! yea, ignorantly dreams, | |
| Because proud Rhea now his vassal seems, | 5 |
| And Neptune him obeys in billowy lair, | |
| That he a more sublime assault may dare, | |
| Where blown by tempest wild the vulture screams. | |
| |
| Presumptuous, he mounts: I toss his bones | |
| Back from the height supernal he has braved: | 10 |
| Ay, as his vessel nears my perilous zones, | |
| I blow the cockle-shell away like chaff | |
| And give him to the Sea he has enslaved. | |
| He founders in its depths; and then I laugh! | |
| |
II Impregnable I held myself, secure | 15 |
| Against intrusion. Who can measure Man? | |
| How should I guess his mortal will outran | |
| Defeat so far that danger could allure | |
| For its own sake?—that he would all endure, | |
| All sacrifice, all suffer, rather than | 20 |
| Forego the daring dreams Olympian | |
| That prophesy to him of victory sure? | |
| |
| Ah, tameless courage!—dominating power | |
| That, all attempting, in a deathless hour | |
| Made earth-born Titans godlike, in revolt!— | 25 |
| Fear is the fire that melts Icarian wings: | |
| Who fears nor Fate, nor Time, nor what Time brings, | |
| May drive Apollo’s steeds, or wield the thunderbolt! | |
| |
