Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad Quotes

Creating some god for one's inspirations was always a good way to avoid accusations of pride should the scheme succeed, as well as the blame if did not.

Here's a health to our Captain, so gallant and freeWhether stuck on a rock or asleep 'neath a treeOr rolled in the arms of some nymph of the seaWhich is where we would all like to be, man!

Then sail, my fine lady, on the billowing wave -The water below is as dark as the grave, And maybe you'll sink in your little blue boat -It's hope, and hope only, that keeps us afloat