Amazed, a while my trembling coursers stood, With prick’d-up ears, contemplating the flood; Then, starting sudden from the dreadful view, At once like lightning from the seas they flew, And o’er the craggy rocks the chariot drew. In vain to stop the hot-mouthed steeds I tried, And, bending backward, all my strength applied; The frothy foam in driving flakes distains The bits and bridles, and bedews the reins. But though as yet untamed they run, at length Their heady rage had tired beneath my strength, When in the spokes a stump entangling, tore The shatter’d wheel, and from its axle bore. The shock impetuous toss’d me from the seat, Caught in the reins, beneath my horses’ feet; Then stretch’d, the well-knit limbs in pieces haled; Part stuck behind, and part the chariot trail’d, Till, midst my cracking joints and breaking bones, I breathed away my wearied soul in groans. No part distinguish’d from the rest was found, But all my parts a universal wound.