And sometimes hid and sometimes show'd his form, All where the eye delights, yet dreads to roam, Is restless change; the Waves so swell'd and steep, And sports at ease on the tempestuous Main. cry; Or clap the sleek white Pinion to the breast, Darkness begins to reign; the louder Wind Appals the weak and awes the firmer mind; But frights not him, whom Evening and the Spray In part conceal-yon Prowler on his way: Lo! he has something seen; he runs apace, As if he fear'd Companion in the chace; He sees his Prize, and now he turns again, Slowly and sorrowing-" Was your search in vain ?" Gruffly he answers, "Tis a sorry sight! 'A Seaman's Body: there'll be more to-night!' Hark! to those sounds! they're from Distress at Sea: How quick they come! What terrors may there be! Yes, 'tis a driven Vessel: I discern Lights, signs of terror, gleaming from the Stern; Their Wives pursue, and Damsels urg'd by dread, Their head the gown has hooded, and their call They feel their kinds of power, and when they meet, See one poor Girl, all terror and alarm, Has fondly seiz'd upon her Lover's arm; "Thou shalt not venture;" and he answers 'No! On the wild Waves, and all the danger shows; This for a moment, and then Clouds again Hide every beam, and fear and darkness reign. But hear we now those Sounds? Do Lights appear? I see them not! the Storm alone I hear: And lo! the Sailors homeward take their way; Man must endure-let us submit and pray. Such are our Winter-Views; but Night comes on— Others advent'rous walk abroad and meet Thus shall you something of our BOROUGH know, Far as a Verse, with Fancy's aid can show; Of Sea or River, of a Quay or Street, The best Description must be incomplete; But when a happier Theme succeeds, and when LETTER II. THE CHURCH. Festinat enim decurrere velox Flosculus angustæ miseræque brevissima Vitæ Juvenal, Satir. ix. lin. 126. And when at last thy Love shall die, Wilt thou repress each struggling sigh, And cheer with smiles the bed of death? Percy. |