"May mighty winds arise And rouse the ocean, and this sluggish plain Cast off stagnation and be sea once more." Thus did they pray, but cloudless shone the sky, Unrippled slept the surface of the main; Until in misty clouds the moon arose And stirred the depths, and moved the fleet along Towards the Ceraunian headland; and the waves And favouring breezes followed on the ships, Now speeding faster, till (their goal attained) They cast their anchors on Palaeste's (28) shore.
This land first saw the chiefs in neighbouring camps Confronted, which the streams of Apsus bound And swifter Genusus; a lengthy course Is run by neither, but on Apsus' waves Scarce flowing from a marsh, the frequent boat Finds room to swim; while on the foamy bed Of Genusus by sun or shower compelled The melted snows pour seawards.

Here were met (So Fortune ordered it) the mighty pair; And in its woes the world yet vainly hoped That brought to nearer touch their crime itself Might bleed abhorrence: for from either camp Voices were clearly heard and features seen.
Nor e'er, Pompeius, since that distant day When Caesar's daughter and thy spouse was reft By pitiless fate away, nor left a pledge, Did thy loved kinsman (save on sands of Nile) So nearly look upon thy face again.
But Caesar's mind though frenzied for the fight Was forced to pause until Antonius brought The rearward troops; Antonius even now Rehearsing Leucas' fight.

With prayers and threats Caesar exhorts him.

"Why delay the fates, Thou cause of evil to the suffering world?
My speed hath won the major part: from thee Fortune demands the final stroke alone.
Do Libyan whirlpools with deceitful tides Uncertain separate us?
Is the deep Untried to which I call?
To unknown risks Art thou commanded?
Caesar bids thee come, Thou sluggard, not to leave him.

Long ago I ran my ships midway through sands and shoals To harbours held by foes; and dost thou fear My friendly camp?
I mourn the waste of days Which fate allotted us.