The Unconquered Air

Others endure Man's rule: he therefore deemsI shall endure it—I, the unconquered Air!Imagines this triumphant strength may bearHis 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 bonesBack from the height supernal he has braved:Ay, as his vessel nears my perilous zones,I blow the cockle-shell away like chaffAnd give him to the Sea he has enslaved.He founders in its depths; and then I laugh!

Impregnable I held myself, secureAgainst intrusion. Who can measure Man?How should I guess his mortal will outranDefeat so far that danger could allureFor its own sake?—that he would all endure,All sacrifice, all suffer, rather thanForego the daring dreams OlympianThat prophesy to him of victory sure?

Ah, tameless courage!—dominating powerThat, all attempting, in a deathless hourMade 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!