His hideous tail then hurled he about,
  And therewith all enwrapped the nimble thighs
  Of his froth-foamy steed, whose courage stout
  Striving to loose the knot, that fast him ties,
  Himself in straighter bands too rash implyes,
  That to the ground he is perforce constrained
  To throw his rider: who can quickly rise
  From off the earth, with dirty blood distained,
For that reproachful fall right foully he disdained.

Book I, Canto XI