Mala soluta navis

03 Sep 2025 - Phoebe

by Horace
Translated by Damien of LV426

Let the waves beat your putrid form across the deck
Let the wind shatter your oars - let the waves invert you.
Let the north wind break you as a storm breaks mountain trees
Let bitter stars shine when meek Orion falls
Let you be drowned like the Greeks from Troy - cursed ships broken in Athena’s wrath.
May you lie down praying in piss and tears and the straining sweat of your impotent sailors.
Let your keel burst in the hatred of the South Wind - in the bellowing gulf.
Now fatty plunder for the gulls ashore
a sacrifice for lusty ocean gods