Page:The Aeneid of Virgil JOHN CONINGTON 1917 V2.pdf/140

 At a distance in the sea is a rock, over against the spray-washed shore—sometimes covered by the swelling waves that beat on it, when the wintry north winds hide the stars from view—in a calm it rests in peace, and rises over the unruffled waters, a broad table-land, a welcome basking-ground     5 for the sea-bird. Here Æneas set up a green stem of leafy oak with his own royal hand—a sign for the sailors, that they might know whence to begin their return, and where to double round their long voyage. Then they choose their places by lot: there are the captains on the sterns,     10 a glorious sight, gleaming far with gold and purple; the crews are crowned with thick poplar leaves, and their bare shoulders shine with the oil that has rubbed them. They seat them on the benches, every arm is strained on the oar—straining they expect the signal, and their beating     15 hearts are drained at each stroke by panting fear and high-strung ambition. Then, when the shrill trumpet has uttered its voice, all in a moment dart forward from their bounds, the seaman's shout pierces the sky; the upturned seas foam as the arm is drawn back to the chest. With     20 measured strokes they plough their furrows; the water is one yawning chasm, rent asunder by the oar and the pointed beak. Not such the headlong speed when in two-horse race the chariots dash into the plain and pour along from their floodgates, or when the drivers shake the streaming     25 reins over their flying steeds, and hang floating over the lash. Then plaudits, and shouts of manly voices, and the clamorous fervour of the backers, make the whole woodland ring; the pent-up shores keep the sound rolling; the hills send back the blows of the noise. See! flying     30 ahead of the rest, gliding over the first water in the midst of crowd and hubbub, is Gyas; next him comes Cloanthus, with better oars, but the slow pinewood's weight keeps him back. After them at equal distance the Shark and the Centaur strive to win precedence. And now the Shark     35 has it. Now she is beaten and passed by the Centaur. Now the two ride abreast stem to stem, cutting with their long keels the salt waves. And now they were nearing the