With courage and success you the bold work begin ; would be Your cradle has not idle been: As you from all old errors free Does like the sun-shine in it play; It does, like Thames, the best of rivers! glide, But gently pour, the crystal urn, And with judicious hand does the whole current guide: "T has all the beauties Nature can impart, And all the comely dress, without the paint, of Art. SIR FRANCIS DRAKE'S SHIP, Presented to the University Library of Oxford by To this great ship, which round the globe has run, Drake and his ship could not have wish'd from Fate For, lo! a seat of endless rest is given To her in Oxford, and to him in heaven. PROLOGUE TO THE CUTTER OF COLMAN STREET. AS, when the midland sea is no-where clear The merchant-ships so much their passage doubt, Just so the timorous wits of late refuse, It is a party numerous, watchful, bold; They can from nought, which sails in sight, withhold; Nor do their cheap, though mortal, thunder spare; They shoot, alas! with wind-guns charg'd with air. But yet, gentlemen-criticks of Argier, For your own interest I'd advise ye here, To let this little forlorn-hope go by "} Safe and untouch'd, "That must not be" (you'll cry). If ye be wise, it must; I'll tell you why. There are seven, eight, nine-stay-there are be hind Ten plays at least, which wait but for a wind, Will rather till they rot in th' harbour stay; Nay, they will back again, though they were come Ev'n to their last safe road, the tyring-room. Therefore again I say, If you be wise, ADDED AT COURT. STAY, gentlemen; what I have said was all But, if our Neptune his calm visage show, END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. Printed by T. Davison, White-friars. RA |