Three ships the South-wind catching hurls away / on hidden rocks, which (Latins from of yore / have called them "Altars") in mid ocean lay, / a huge ridge level with the tide.

Therewith the royal sceptre, which of yore / Ilione, Priam's eldest daughter, bore; / her shining necklace, strung with costly beads, / and diadem, rimmed with gold and studded o'er / with sparkling gems. Thus charged, Achates heeds, / and towards the ships forthwith in eager haste proceeds.

These lands, 'tis said, one continent of yore / (such change can ages work) an earthquake tore / asunder; in with havoc rushed the main, / and far Sicilia from Hesperia bore, / and now, where leapt the parted land in twain, / the narrow tide pours through, 'twixt severed town and plain."

We can thank the intrepid sailors of yore for these wildly descriptive terms.

Whether ye sail to great Hesperia's shore /and Saturn's fields, or seek the realms that own / Acestes' sway, where Eryx reigned of yore, / safe will I send you hence, and speed you with my store."

Art thou, then, that AEneas, whom of yore / Venus on Simois' banks to old Anchises bore?"

Whom the gods love die young", was said of yore.

Here haunted of yore the fabulous Dragon of Wantley.

So to his shade, with funeral rites, we rear / a mound, and altars to the dead prepare, / wreathed with dark cypress. Round them, as of yore, / pace Troy's sad matrons, with their streaming hair. / Warm milk from bowls, and holy blood we pour, / and thrice with loud farewell the peaceful shade deplore.

Ay, well I mind me how in days of yore / to Sidon exiled Teucer crossed the main, / to seek new kingdoms and the aid implore / of Belus. He, my father Belus, then / ruled Cyprus, victor of the wasted plain."