Which rising like a towering city stands: Three Trojans tug at every labouring oar; } Three banks in three degrees the sailors bore; } Beneath their sturdy strokes the billows roar. } Sergestus, who began the Sergian race, In the great Centaur took the leading place: Cloanthus on the sea-green Scylla stood, From whom Cluentius draws his Trojan blood. Far in the sea, against the foaming shore, There stands a rock: the raging billows roar Above his head in storms; but, when 'tis clear, Uncurl their ridgy backs, and at his foot appear. In peace below the gentle waters run; The cormorants above lie basking in the sun. On this the hero fixed an oak in sight, The mark to guide the mariners aright. To bear with this, the seamen stretch their oars; Then round the rock they steer, and seek the former shores. The lots decide their place. Above the rest, Each leader shining in his Tyrian vest; The common crew, with wreaths of poplar boughs, Their temples crown, and shade their sweaty brows; Besmeared with oil, their naked shoulders shine. All take their seats, and wait the sounding sign: They gripe their oars; and every panting breast Is raised by turns with hope, by turns with fear depressed. The clangor of the trumpet gives the sign; At once they start, advancing in a line: With shouts the sailors rend the starry skies; } Lashed with their oars, the smoky billows rise; } Sparkles the briny main, and the vexed ocean fries. } Exact in time, with equal strokes they row: } At once the brushing oars and brazen prow } Dash up the sandy waves, and ope the depths below. } Not fiery coursers, in a chariot race, Invade the field with half so swift a pace: Not the fierce driver with more fury lends } The sounding lash, and ere the stroke descends, } Low to the wheels his pliant body bends. } The partial crowd their hopes and fears divide, And aid, with eager shouts, the favoured side. Cries, murmurs, clamours, with a mixing sound, From woods to woods, from hills to hills, rebound. Amidst the loud applauses of the shore, Gyas outstripped the rest, and sprung before: Cloanthus, better manned, pursued him fast, But his o'er-masted galley checked his haste. The Centaur and the Dolphin brush the brine With equal oars, advancing in a line; And now the mighty Centaur seems to lead, And now the speedy Dolphin gets a-head; Now board to board the rival vessels row, The billows lave the skies, and ocean groans below. They reached the mark. Proud Gyas and his train In triumph rode, the victors of the main; But, steering round, he charged his pilot stand More close to shore, and skim along the sand;-- "Let others bear to sea!"--Menœtes heard; }