No sooner had the goddess ceased to speak,
When, lo! the obedient ships their halsers break;
And, strange to tell, like dolphins, in the main
They plunge their prows, and dive, and spring again:
As many beauteous maids the billows sweep,
As rode before tall vessels on the deep.
The foes, surprised with wonder, stood aghast;
Messapus curbed his fiery courser's haste:
Old Tyber roared, and, raising up his head,
Called back his waters to their oozy bed.