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 canvas 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.

Favourable breeze.
Breeze freshens.

I. Reflections on leaving shore. II. Waterspout. The dying dolphin. 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 main-sail. Courses reefed. Four seamen lost off the lee main-yard arm. Anxiety of the master and his mates on being near a lee-shore. Mizzen 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; his devout address to Heaven. Order given to scud. The fore stay-sail hoisted and split. The head yards braced aback. The mizzen mast cut away.

THE SHIPWRECK.

CANTO II.

I. ADIEU! ye pleasures of the sylvan scene, Where peace and calm contentment dwell serene: To me, in vain, on earth's prolific soil,

With summer crown'd, the Elysian valleys smile;
To me those happier scenes no joy impart,
But tantalize with hope my aching heart:
Ye tempests! o'er my head congenial roll
To suit the mournful music of my soul;
In black progression, lo, they hover near,
Hail social horrors! like my fate severe:
Old ocean hail! beneath whose azure zone
The secret deep lies unexplored, unknown.
Approach, ye brave companions of the sea,
And fearless view this awful scene with me.
Ye native guardians of your country's laws!
Ye brave assertors of her sacred cause!
The muse invites you, judge if she depart,
Unequal, from the thorny rules of art;