Page:The Unconquered Air, Coates, 1912.djvu/19

 THE UNCONQUERED AIR

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