‘O guardian of the world’

APOLLO

Apollo addresses Octavian (soon to be Augustus) before the battle of Actium.

O guardian of the world from Alba Longa,

Augustus, more famous than Hector and your other ancestors,

conquer the sea: the earth is already yours; my bow fights for you

and this whole quiver on my shoulders is on your side.

Their fleet may row with a hundred wings:

don’t let it frighten you. Against its will, that fleet is slipping into the sea:

It is the cause that smashes and exalts powers in a war;

Unless justice is at hand, shame shatters the armor.

The time has come, engage the ships: I, time’s author,

will guide the Julian prows with laurel-bearing hand.