Her Crest, high-plumed, was rough with many a scar,
And o'er her Helmet gleamed the northern Star.

The warrior Youth appeared of noble frame,
The hardy offspring of some Runic dame:

Loose o'er his shoulders hung the slackened bow,
Renowned in song, the terror of the foe!

The Sword that oft the barbarous North defy'd, The scourge of Tyrants! glittered by his side: Clad in refulgent arms in battle won,

The GEORGE emblazoned 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 gulphs 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,

Perched 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 stretched her winged sail,
Here, frowned the god that wakes the living gale.
High o'er the Poop, the flattering winds unfurled
Th' imperial Flag that rules the watery World.
Deep blushing Armors all the Tops invest,

And warlike trophies either Quarter drest :

Then towered the Masts, the Canvass swelled 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 th' Ægean main.

END OF THE FIRST CANTO.

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 MainSail 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 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; his devout Address to Heaven. Order given to scud.... The Fore Stay-Sail hoisted and split... The Head Yards braced aback.... The Mizen-Mast cut away.

HOTH