Now Mnestheus' and Sergestus' hope began anew to spring, That they might outgo Gyas yet amid his tarrying: Of whom Sergestus draws ahead and nears the rocky holm; But not by all his keel indeed the other did o'ercome, But by the half; the eager Whale amidships held her place, Where Mnestheus midst the men themselves now to and fro did pace, Egging them on: "Now, now!" he cries; "up, up, on oar-heft high! Fellows of Hector, whom I chose when Troy last threw the die! 190 Now put ye forth your ancient heart, put forth the might of yore, Wherewith amid Getulian sand, Ionian sea ye bore; The heart and might ye had amidst Malea's following wave! I, Mnestheus, seek not victory now, nor foremost place to save. --Yet, O my heart! but let them win to whom thou giv'st the crown, O Neptune!--but the shameful last! O townsmen, beat it down. And ban such horror!" Hard on oars they lie mid utter throes, And quivereth all the brazen ship beneath their mighty blows; The sea's floor slippeth under them; the ceaseless pantings shake 199 Their limbs and parchèd mouths, and still the sweat-streams never slake. But very chance those strivers gave the prize they struggled for, Since now Sergestus, hot at heart, while to the stony shore He clingeth innerward, is come into the treacherous strait, And hapless driveth on the rocks thrust forth for such a fate: The cliffs are shaken and the oars against the flinty spikes Snap crashing, and the prow thrust up yet hangeth where it strikes: Up start the seafarers, and raise great hubbub tarrying; Then sprits all iron-shod and poles sharp-ended forth they bring To bear her off, and gather oars a-floating in the wash.