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Stripp'd of her pride, the vessel rolls,
And as by sympathy she knew
The secret anguish of our souls,
With inward deeper groans condoles
The danger of her crew.

Now what avails it to be brave,
On liquid precipices hung?
Suspended on a breaking wave,
Beneath us yawn'd a sea-green grave,
And silenc'd every tongue.

The faithless flood forsook her keel,
And downward launch'd the lab'ring hull,

Stunn'd she forgot awhile to reel,

And felt almost, or seem'd to feel,
A momentary lull.

Thus in the jaws of death we lay,

Nor light, nor comfort found us there,
Lost in the gulph and floods of spray
No sun to cheer us, nor a ray
Of hope, but all despair.

The nearer shore, the more despair,
While certain ruin waits on land;
Should we pursue our wishes there;
Soon we recant the fatal pray'r,

And strive to shun the strand.

At length, the Being whose behest
Reduc'd this Chaos into form,
His goodness and his pow'r express'd,
He spoke and, as a God, suppress'd
Our troubles, and the storm.

ODE VI.

ON

THE DUKE OF YORK's

SECOND DEPARTURE FROM ENGLAND

AS REAR ADMIRAL.

Written aboard the Royal George.

BY WILLIAM FALCONer.

AGAIN the royal streamers play! To glory Edward hastes away; Adieu, ye happy silvan bowers,

Where Pleasure's sprightly throng await! Ye domes, where regal Grandeur towers In purple ornaments of state!

Ye scenes where Virtue's sacred strain Bids the tragic Muse complain! Where Satire treads the comic stage, To scourge and mend a venal age. Where Music pours the soft, melodious lay, And melting Symphonies congenial play! Ye silken Sons of Ease, who dwell

In flowery vales of Peace, farewell!

In vain the Goddess of the myrtle grove

Her charms ineffable displays;

In vain she calls to happier realms of Love,
Which Spring's unfading bloom arrays:
In vain her living roses blow,

And ever-vernal pleasures grow
The gentle sports of youth no more
Allure him to the peaceful shore:
Arcadian ease no longer charms,
For War and Fame alone can please.

His throbbing bosom beats to arms,

To war the Hero moves, through storms and wintry seas.

CHORUS.

The gentle sports of youth no more
Allure him to the peaceful shore,

For War and Fame alone can please,

To War the Hero moves, through storms and wintry seas.

Though Danger's hostile train appears
To thwart the course that Honor steers;
Unmov'd he leads the rugged way,
Despising peril and dismay :

His country calls; to guard her laws,
Lo! every joy the gallant youth resigns ;

Th' avenging naval sword he draws,

And o'er the waves conducts her martial lines:

Hark! his sprightly clarions play,
Follow where he leads the way!
The piercing fife, the sounding drum,
Tell the deeps their Masters come :

CHORUS.

Hark! his sprightly clarions play,
Follow where he leads the way!
The piercing fife, the sounding drum,
Tell the deeps their Masters come.

Thus Alcmena's warlike Son

The thorny course of Virtue run, When, taught by her unerring voice, He made the glorious choice: Severe, indeed, th' attempt he knew, Youth's genial ardors to subdue: For Pleasure Venus' lovely form assum'd; Her glowing charms divinely bright, In all the pride of Beauty bloom'd, And struck his ravish'd sight.

Transfix'd, amaz'd,

Alcides gaz'd:

Inchanting grace

Adorn'd her face,

And all his changing looks confest
Th' alternate passions in his breast i
C

Vol. XVI.

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