the crew
"The impious deed applauded. Bacchus rose,
"(The boy was Bacchus!) with the tumult loud
"Rous'd from his sleep;--the fumes of wine dispell'd,
"His senses seem'd restor'd. What is't you do?
"What noise is this? he cry'd;--What brought me here?
"O, mariners! inform me;--tell me where
"You carry me! Fear not,--the pilot said,--
"Say but the port, where most thou'dst chuse to land;--
"Thither we straight will steer. The god reply'd;--
"To Naxos then your course direct; that isle
"My native soil I call:--to you that isle
"A friendly shore shall prove. False men, they swear,
"By ocean, and by all the sacred gods,
"This to perform; and order me to loose,
"The painted vessel's sails. Full on the right
"Stood Naxos. Loudly one to me exclaims;
"As tow'rd the right I trim the sails to steer;--
"What now, Acoetes? madman! fool! what now?
"Art thou distracted? to the left we sail.--
"Most nod significant their wishes: some
"Soft whisper in my ear. Astounded, I
"Let others guide!--exclaim,--and quit the helm;
"Guiltless of aiding in their treacherous guile.
"Loud murmurings sound from all; and loudly one,
"Ethalion, cries;--in thee alone is plac'd
"Our safety, doubtless!--forward steps himself;--
"My station seizes; and a different course
"Directs the vessel, Naxos left behind.
"The feigning god, as though but then, the fraud
"To him perceptible, the waves beholds
"From the curv'd poop, and tears pretending, cries;--
"Not this, O, seamen! is the promis'd shore:
"Not this the wish'd-for land! What deed of mine
"This cruel treatment merits? Where the fame
"Of men, a child deceiving; numbers leagu'd
"Misleading one? Fast flow'd my tears with his;
"Our tears the impious mob deride, and press
"The ocean with their strong-propelling oars.
"Now by the god himself, I swear, (and none
"To vows more ready listens) that the tale,
"Though in appearance credence far beyond,
"Is strictly true. Firm fixt amid the waves
"The vessel stands, as in a harbour laid
"Dry from the ocean! Wondering, they their oars,
"With strokes redoubled ply; loose to the wind
"More sails; and with this double aid essay
"Onward to urge. Their oars with ivy twin'd,
"Are clogg'd; the curving tendrils crooked spread;
"The sails with clustering berries loaded hang.
"His temples girded with a branchy crown,
"Whence grapes hang dangling, stands the god,