As an awaken'd giant with a frown Might show his wrath, and then to sleep sink down. And sometimes hid and sometimes show'd his form, All where the eye delights, yet dreads to roam, The breaking billows cast the flying foam Upon the billows rising--all the deep Is restless change; the waves so swell'd and steep, Far off the petrel in the troubled way And sports at ease on the tempestuous main. 150 High o'er the restless deep, above the reach Of gunner's hope, vast flights of wild-ducks stretch; In a broad space and level line they glide; All in their wedge-like figures from the north, forth. In-shore their passage tribes of sea-gulls urge, Far back, then turn, and all their force apply, Darkness begins to reign; the louder wind "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 urged by dread, Their head the gown has hooded, and their call ;2003 They feel their kinds of power, and when they meet, Chide, fondle, weep, dare, threaten, or entreat. See one poor girl, all terror and alarm, Has fondly seized upon her lover's arm; "Thou shalt not venture;" and he answers 66 No! "I will not"-still she cries, "Thou shalt not go." No need of this; not here the stoutest boat Can through such breakers, o'er such billows float; Yet may they view these lights upon the beach, Which yield them hope, whom help can never reach. From parted clouds the moon her radiance throws On the wild waves, and all the danger shows; But shows them beaming in her shining vest, Terrific splendour! gloom in glory dress'd! 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; 220 Such are our winter-views; but night comes on- The tavern's pleasure or the concert's charm Others advent'rous walk abroad and meet Hum in our walks, and greet us in our way; 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 suceeds, and when Men are our subjects and the deeds of men ; Then may we find the Muse in happier style, And we may sometimes sigh and sometimes smile. |