So then by lot they take their place: there on the deck they burn. The captains, goodly from afar in gold and purple show: The other lads with poplar-leaf have garlanded the brow, And with the oil poured over them their naked shoulders shine. They man the thwarts; with hearts a-stretch they hearken for the sign, With arms a-stretch upon the oars; hard tugs the pulse of fear About their bounding hearts, hard strains the lust of glory dear. But when the clear horn gives the sound, forthwith from where they lie They leap away; the seamen's shouts smite up against the sky, 140 The upturned waters froth about as home the arms are borne: So timely they the furrows cut, and all the sea uptorn Is cloven by the sweep of oars and bows' three-headed push. --Nay, nought so swift in twi-yoke race forth from the barriers rush The scattered headlong chariots on to wear the space of plain, Nor eager so the charioteers shake waves along the rein Above the hurrying yoke, as hung over the lash they go. --Then with the shouts and praise of men, and hope cast to and fro, Rings all the grove; the cliff-walled shore rolleth great voice around, And beating 'gainst the mountain-side the shattering shouts rebound. 150 Before the others Gyas flies, and first the waves doth skim Betwixt the throng and roar, but hard Cloanthus presseth him; Who, better manned, is held aback by sluggish weight of pine. 'Twixt Whale and Centaur after these the edge of strife is fine, And hard they struggle each with each to win the foremost place. Now the Whale hath it; beaten now is foregone in the race By the huge Centaur; head and head now follow on the two, As the long keel of either one the salt sea furrows through.