GENTLEMEN COACHMEN. 379 



But to the pillar as he nearer drew, 

 Orestes, reining in the nearmost steed, 

 While in a larger scope, with loosen'd reins, 

 And lash'd up to their speed, the others flew, 

 Turn'd swift around the goal his grazing wheel. 



As yet erect, upon their whirling orbs 



Roll'd every chariot, till the hard-mouthed steeds 



That drew the Thracian car, unmaster'd broke 



With violence away, and turning short 



(When o'er the Hippodrome, with winged speed, 



They had completed now the seventh career,) 



Dash'd their wild foreheads 'gainst the Libyan car. 



From this one luckless chance a train of ills 



Succeeding, rudely on each other fell 



Horses and charioteers, and soon was fill'd 



With wrecks of shatter'd cars the Phocian plain. 



This seen, the Athenian, with consummate art, 



His course obliquely veer'd, and steering wide 



With steady rein, the wild commotion pass'd 



Of tumbling chariots and tumultuous steeds. 



Next, and, though last, yet full of confidence 



And hopes of victory, Orestes came ; 



But when he saw of his antagonists 



Him only now remaining, to his mares 



Anxious he rais'd his stimulating voice. 



And now with equal fronts abreast they drove, 



Now with alternate momentary pride 



Beyond each other push'd their stretching steeds. 



Erect Orestes, and erect his car 

 Through all the number'd courses now had stood 

 But luckless in the last, as round the goal 

 The wheeling courser turn'd, the hither rein 

 Imprudent he relax'd, and on the stone 



