As who should say, lo! thus my strength is try'd.—

Look, when a painter would surpass the life,

In limning out a well-porportion'd steed,

His art's with Nature's workmanship at strife,

As if the dead the living should exceed;

So did this horse excell a common one,

In shape, in courage, colour, pace, and bone.

Round-hoof'd, short-jointed, fetlocks shag and long,

Broad-breast, full eyes, small head, and nostril wide,

High crest, short ears, straight legs, and passing strong,