But secret shelves too cautiously he feared, } And, fearing, sought the deep; and still aloof he steered. } With louder cries the captain called again:-- "Bear to the rocky shore, and shun the main." He spoke, and, speaking, at his stern he saw The bold Cloanthus near the shelvings draw. Betwixt the mark and him the Scylla stood, And in a closer compass ploughed the flood. He passed the mark; and, wheeling, got before:-- } Gyas blasphemed the gods, devoutly swore, } Cried out for anger, and his hair he tore. } Mindless of others' lives, (so high was grown His rising rage,) and careless of his own, The trembling dotard to the deck he drew, And hoisted up, and overboard he threw: This done, he seized the helm; his fellows cheered, Turned short upon the shelves, and madly steered. Hardly his head the plunging pilot rears, Clogged with his clothes, and cumbered with his years: Now dropping wet, he climbs the cliff with pain. The crowd, that saw him fall and float again, Shout from the distant shore; and loudly laught, To see his heaving breast disgorge the briny draught. The following Centaur, and the Dolphin's crew, Their vanished hopes of victory renew; While Gyas lags, they kindle in the race, To reach the mark. Sergestus takes the place; Mnestheus pursues; and, while around they wind, Comes up, not half his galley's length behind; Then on the deck, amidst his mates, appeared, And thus their drooping courages he cheered:-- "My friends, and Hector's followers heretofore, Exert your vigour; tug the labouring oar; Stretch to your strokes, my still unconquered crew, Whom from the flaming walls of Troy I drew. In this our common interest, let me find That strength of hand, that courage of the mind, As when you stemmed the strong Malean flood, And o'er the Syrtes' broken billows rowed. I seek not now the foremost palm to gain; } Though yet--but, ah! that haughty wish is vain! } Let those enjoy it whom the gods ordain. } But to be last, the lags of all the race!-- Redeem yourselves and me from that disgrace." Now, one and all, they tug amain; they row At the full stretch, and shake the brazen prow. The sea beneath them sinks; their labouring sides Are swelled, and sweat runs guttering down in tides. Chance aids their daring with unhoped success: Sergestus, eager with his beak to press Betwixt the rival galley and the rock, Shuts up the unwieldy Centaur in the lock. The vessel struck; and, with the dreadful shock, Her oars she shivered, and her head she broke. The trembling rowers from their banks arise, And, anxious for themselves, renounce the prize. With iron poles they heave her off the shores, And gather from the sea their floating oars. The crew of Mnestheus, with elated minds,