Page:Virgil (Collins).djvu/98

88 The course lies out in the bay, and the competing vessels are to round a rock, covered at high tides, on which an oak has been set up, leaves and all, to serve as a mark for the steersmen. They take up their positions by lot, and await the signal, to be given by sound of trumpet. The picture of the start would suit, with wonderfully little alteration, the description of a modern University boat-race:—

And now on rowing-bench they sit,

Bend to the oar their arms close knit,

And straining watch the sign to start,

While generous trembling fills each heart,

And thirst for victory.

Then, at the trumpet's piercing sound,

All from their stations onward bound:

Upsoars to heaven the oarsmen's shout,

The upturned billows froth and spout.

With plaudits loud and clamorous zeal

Echoes the woodland round;

The pent shores roll the thunder-peal,

The stricken hills resound."

[Our modern oarsmen would certainly be wiser in this, that they would reserve their own breath (of which they would find considerable need towards the end of the race), and leave the whole of the shouting to be done by enthusiastic spectators.]

First Gyas issues from the rout,

And holds the foremost place:

Cloanthus next; his oarsmen row

More featly, but his bark is slow,

And checks him in the race.