Classic Poem

The foal of generous breed along the plains
Walks stately, balanced on his easy joints,
Round are his hips, his belly short, his neck
Lofty, and sharp his head with muscles swoln;
His breast exults luxuriant, all on fire,
No idle sound appals him of the herd,
First he devours the road, the stranger bridge
Attempts, and throws himself upon the threatening flood;
He hears the din of distant arms, his feet
Chafe, shudder his erected ears, his limbs
Tremble; beneath his nostrils clouds of fire
Forced down, collected, roll in wreaths, his mane
Redundant on his ample shoulder tossed
Floats to the right; strained like a bow, his [spine?]
Doubles, and unbroken, springing back, he scorns
The Earth; resounds the hoof of solid horn.
Such Cyllarus, who first received the rein
From Amyclaean Pollux, such, renowned
In Grecian song, the brother steeds of Mars;
Such great Achilles' car, so Saturn's self,
Fleet as his wife's approach, a horse's mane
Gave to the winds, and flying, with neighings shrill
Filled all the shaggy round of Pelion high.