Said, “Go it, my hearties, this lap is the last!”
How they shouted! and all in a moment a spurt
Gave him an inch lead—but he found me alert,
And then was my stamina put to its test:
He and I fought the battle, and onlooked the rest,
With his head near the wheel, and his teeth firmly set,
He still kept my side and no farther could get.
Then I called up my energies; loud was the cry
That came from the thousands of spectators nigh;
Gripped firmly the handles, the grasp of grim death,