Inwove with laurels of unfading green.

Such was the sculptured prow; from van to rear The artillery frown'd, a black tremendous tier! Embalm'd with orient gum, above the wave The swelling sides a yellow radiance gave. On the broad stern, a pencil warm and bold, That never servile rules of art controll'd, An allegoric tale on high portray'd; There a young hero, here a royal maid : Fair England's genius in the youth exprest, Her ancient foe, but now her friend confest, The warlike nymph with fond regard survey'd ; No more his hostile frown her heart dismay'd: His look, that once shot terror from afar, Like young Alcides, or the god of war, Serene as summer's evening skies she saw; Serene, yet firm; though mild, impressing awe : Her nervous arm, inured to toils severe, Brandish'd the unconquer'd Caledonian spear: The dreadful falchion of the hills she wore, Sung to the harp in many a tale of yore, That oft her rivers dyed with hostile gore. Blue was her rocky shield; her piercing eye Flash'd like the meteors of her native sky; Her crest, high-plumed, was rough with many a scar, And o'er her helmet gleam'd the northern star.

The warrior youth appear'd of noble frame,
The hardy offspring of some Runic dame :
Loose o'er his shoulders hung the slacken'd bow,
Renown'd in song, the terror of the foe!

The sword that oft the barbarous north defied,
The scourge of tyrants! glitter'd by his side:
Clad in refulgent arms in battle won,

The George emblazon'd on his corselet shone;
Fast by his side was seen a golden lyre,
Pregnant with numbers of eternal fire;

Whose strings unlock the witches' midnight spell,
Or waft rapt fancy through the gulfs of hell:
Struck with contagion, kindling fancy hears
The songs of heaven, the music of the spheres!
Borne on Newtonian wing through air she flies,
Where other suns to other systems rise.

These front the scene conspicuous; overhead
Albion's proud oak his filial branches spread :
While on the sea-beat shore obsequious stood,
Beneath their feet, the father of the flood:
Here, the bold native of her cliffs above,
Perch'd by the martial maid the bird of Jove;
There, on the watch, sagacious of his prey,
With eyes of fire, an English mastiff lay:
Yonder, fair commerce stretch'd her winged sail,
Here, frown'd the god that wakes the living gale.

High o'er the poop, the flattering winds unfurl'd
The imperial flag that rules the watery world.
Deep blushing armors all the tops invest,
And warlike trophies either quarter drest:

Then tower'd the masts, the canvass swell'd on high,
And waving streamers floated in the sky.
Thus the rich vessel moves in trim array,

Like some fair virgin on her bridal day;

Thus, like a swan, she cleaved the watery plain, The pride and wonder of the Ægean main.

SECOND CANTO:

THE SCENE LIES AT SEA, BETWEEN CAPE FRESCHIN, IN CANDIA, AND THE ISLAND OF

FALCONERA, WHICH IS NEARLY TWELVE LEAGUES NORTHWARD OF CAPE SPADO.

TIME, FROM NINE IN THE MORNING UNTIL ONE O'CLOCK

OF THE NEXT DAY AT NOON.

ARGUMENT.

I. Reflections on leaving shore. II. Favourable breeze. Water-spout. The dying dolphin. Breeze freshens. Ship's rapid progress along the coast. Top-sails reefed. Gale of wind. Last appearance, bearing, and distance of Cape Spado. A squall. Top-sails double reefed. Main-sail split. The ship bears up; again hauls upon the wind. Another main-sail bent, and set. Porpoises. III. The ship driven out of her course from Candia. Heavy gale. Top-sails furled. Top-gallant-yards lowered. Heavy sea. Threatening sun-set. Difference of opinion respecting the mode of taking in the mainsail. Courses reefed. Four seamen lost off the lee mainyard-arm. Anxiety of the master, and his mates, on being near a lee-shore. Mizen reefed. IV. A tremendous sea bursts over the deck; its consequences. The ship labours in great distress. Guns thrown overboard. Dismal appearance of the weather. Very high and dangerous sea. Storm of lightning. Severe fatigue of the crew at the pumps. Critical situation of the ship near the Island Falconera. Consultation and resolution of the officers. Speech and advice of Albert; dress to Heaven. Order given to scud. sail hoisted and split. The head yards The mizen-mast cut away.

his devout ad

The fore staybraced aback.