Classic Poem

Over the meadow bounds the skittish colt,
And dashes in swift course the bord'ring wave,
Or scours the hollow of the lofty mount,
And plashes through the stony stream unshod.
Fierce shines his comely front, his waving mane
Wantons in wind, his ears prick quavering up.
From his round jetty head his ample eye
Out standeth full; from his wide nostril darts
The breath as if on flame; his curving neck
Stands lofty up, such as full forward bears
The bird, whose voice bids lions stand in awe,
Whose watchful note calls up the loit'ring morn.
Round-circling plump does swell his breast abroad,
With courage fraught undaunted; high arise
His even shoulders, ridging slender up.
And now his back the saddle well becomes.
Along his loins does double run the chine;
Thick flanks truss up his belly tight and smooth;
His buttocks in good liking spread themselves;
He cocks his tail rough-frisling full of hair;
The copious locks o'erflow his lusty neck,
Down his right shoulder floating to and fro.
Bold does he turn his nimble shank around
Tied firm within a knee shaped round and long.
Fierce he bears forward with his look aloft,
And prances stately neighing all the way.
His deep horn hollow hoof treads thund'ring down;
Resembling so the stamping dance and noise
Of brazen cymbals loud, wherewith her priests
Did celebrate the rites of Cybele.