Book 5.213-226
Mnestheus and his boat are compared to a swiftly flying dove, as he chases down Cloanthus in the final stretch.
Qualis spelunca subito commota columba,
213
cui domus et dulces latebroso in pumice nidi,
214
fertur in arva volans, plausumque exterrita pennis
215
dat tecto ingentem, mox aere lapsa quieto
216
radit iter liquidum, celeres neque commovet alas:
217
sic Mnestheus, sic ipsa fuga secat ultima Pristis
218
aequora, sic illam fert impetus ipse volantem.
219
Et primum in scopulo luctantem deserit alto
220
Sergestum, brevibusque vadis frustraque vocantem
221
auxilia, et fractis discentem currere remis
222
Inde Gyan ipsamque ingenti mole Chimaeram
223
consequitur; cedit, quoniam spoliata magistro est.
224
Solus iamque ipso superest in fine Cloanthus:
225
quem petit, et summis adnixus viribus urguet.
226