And oft the foggy banks on ocean lie, Lift the fair sail, and cheat th' experienced eye. Be it the Summer-noon: a sandy space The ebbing tide has left upon its place; Then just the hot and stony beach above, Light twinkling streams in bright confusion move; Then the broad bosom of the ocean keeps An equal motion; swelling as it sleeps, Then slowly sinking; curling to the strand, Faint, lazy waves o'ercreep the ridgy sand, Or tap the tarry boat with gentle blow, And back return in silence, smooth and slow. Ships in the calm seem anchor'd; for they glide On the still sea, urged solely by the tide : Art thou not present, this calm scene before, Where all beside is pebbly length of shore, And far as eye can reach, it can discern no more? Yet sometimes comes a ruffling cloud to make The quiet surface of the ocean shake; As an awaken'd giant with a frown Might show his wrath, and then to sleep sink down. 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, May watch the mightiest till the shoal they reach, And then re-flowing, take their grating course, Raking the rounded flints, which ages past Far off the Petrel in the troubled way 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 chase; 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 urged by dread, Their head the gown has hooded, and their call See one poor girl, all terror and alarm, "Thou shalt not venture; and he answers "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, Such are our Winter-views: but night comes on— Now business sleeps, and daily cares are gone; Now parties form, and some their friends assist To waste the idle hours at sober whist; The tavern's pleasure or the concert's charm Unnumber'd moments of their sting disarm ; Play-bills and open doors a crowd invite, To pass off one dread portion of the night; And show and song and luxury combined, Lift off from man this burthen of mankind. Others advent'rous walk abroad and meet Hum in our walks, and greet us in our way; THE CHURCH WHAT HAT is a Church?"-Let Truth and Reason speak, They would reply, "The faithful, pure, and meek; “From Christian folds, the one selected race, "Of all professions, and in every place." "What is a Church?"—" A flock," our Vicar cries, "Whom bishops govern and whom priests advise ; "Wherein are various states and due degrees, "The Bench for honour, and the Stall for ease; "That ease be mine, which, after all his cares, "The pious, peaceful prebendary shares." “What is a Church?”—Our honest Sexton tells, “'Tis a tall building, with a tower and bells; “Where priest and clerk with joint exertion strive "To keep the ardour of their flock alive; "That, by his periods eloquent and grave; "This, by responses, and a well-set stave: "These for the living; but when life be fled, "I toll myself the requiem for the dead." 'Tis to this Church I call thee, and that place Where slept our fathers when they'd run their race: |