he snatches from the scabbard his flashing sword, and with

the drawn blade cuts the hawsers. The spark flies from

man to man; they scour, they scud, they have left the

shore behind; you cannot see the water for ships. With 35

strong strokes they dash the foam, and sweep the blue.

And now Aurora was beginning to sprinkle the earth

with fresh light, rising from Tithonus’[182] saffron couch.

Soon as the queen from her watch-tower saw the gray

dawn brighten, and the fleet moving on with even canvas,

and coast and haven forsaken, with never an oar left,