In short, my man, I am near tumbling." "Hold on," cried I.

"I shall fetch help and all will be safe." "Oh, that the giants would pile Pelion on Ossa and get me out of this heaven!" I heard him say.

Methought, however, the fellow could not yet be in desperate straits to talk thus.
At last the seaman scrambled up and fetched him down, not without many protestations and caveats by the way.

Once down, however, he shook his fluttered plumes, and crowed like any chanticleer.
"_Facilis descensus Averni_, as our Maro hath it.

As the muse droppeth from the heights, and the golden shower descendeth, so visit I once more the Arcadian plains.