The Unconquered Air

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,

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:

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!

Impregnable I held myself, secure

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

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!—

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!