Now take the time, while staggering yet they stand

With feet unfirm, and prepossess the strand:

Fortune befriends the bold." No more he said,

But balanced, whom to leave, and whom to lead;

Then these elects, the landing to prevent;

And those he leaves, to keep the city pent.

Meantime the Trojan sends his troops ashore:

Some are by boats exposed, by bridges more.

With labouring oars they bear along the strand,

Where the tide languishes, and leap a-land.