Billy Budd, Sailor

"Close-reefing topsails in a gale, there he was, astride the weather yardarm-end, foot in the Flemish horse as stirrup, both hands tugging at the earing as at a bridle, in very much the attitude of young Alexander curbing the fiery Bucephalus."

Alexander is said to have tamed Bucephalus by speaking softly to the horse, by turning him away form the sun so he wouldn't see his own shadow, and by dropping his own cloak.

Illustration: "Alexander Taming Bucephalus" by Francois Schommer, German, late 19th century.