At their full stretch, and shook the floating reins.

Rebounding from the ground with many a shock

Flew clattering the firm cars, and creak’d aloud

The naves of the round wheels. They therefore toil’d

Endless: nor conquest yet at any time

Achiev’d they, but a doubtful strife maintain’d.

In the mid-course the prize, a tripod huge,

Was placed in open sight; and it was carved

In gold: the skilful Vulcan’s glorious craft.

Rounding the uttermost verge [268]the ocean flow’d