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The ship with a hawser deftly twisted that girded her waist;

For they strained it from side to side, that the beams to the bolts might hold

Fast, and withstand the might of the meeting surge on-rolled.{370}

And a trench, in compass as great as the width of the galley, they delved;

And overagainst her prow to the sea so far it shelved

As the space that the hull should run, by the might of their hands on-sped:

And deepening ever afront of her stern they scooped that bed.

And smoothly-shaven rollers they laid in the furrow arow.

Then down on the foremost rollers slowly they tilted her prow,

That adown them one after other with one smooth rush she might slide.

Thereafter above did they pass the oars from side to side;

To the tholes did they lash them, outstanding a cubit on either hand;

And to right of the ship and to left at these did they take their stand;{380}

And with chest and with hands against them they bare, and to and fro

Went Tiphys the while, to shout in the season the yo-heave-ho.