The spirit that essays in master flights To sip the honey from Parnassus' heights, That daily doth his Pegasus bestride And keeps the War from spoiling on the side, Fails to be fostered by the sensuous sprout Or with horse carrots blow its waistcoat out.

Because of the story of the village boy who must fain bestride the leaden tail, standing out over the water,which breaking, he dropped into the stream far below, and was taken out an idiot for the rest of his life.

the Hero cried, 'That e'er to chase or battle more These limbs the sacred steed bestride

The broomstick has been the theme of many a story connected with this subject: As men in sleep, though motionless they lie, Fledged by a dream, believe they mount and fly; So witches some enchanted wand bestride And think they through the airy regions ride.