No More Learning

Far different motives yet engaged them thus.
Necessity did them, but choice did us,
A choice which did the highest worth express.
And was attended by as high success ;
For your resistless genius there did reign.
By which we laurels reaped e'en on the main.
So prosperous stars, though absent to the sense,
Bless those they shine for by their influence.

Our cannon now tears every ship and sconce.
And o'er two elements triumphs at once.
Their galleons sunk, their wealth the sea does

fill.
The only place where it can cause no ill.

Ah ! would those treasures which both Indias
hare
Were buried in as large, and deep a grave !
War's chief support with them would buned be.
And the land owe her peace unto the sea.
Ages to come your conquering arms will bles. -*,
There they destroyed what had destroyed their

peace ;
And in one war the present age may bojjst,
The certain seeds of many wai's are lost.
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126 THE POEMS

All the foe's ships destroyed by sea or Hre,
Victorious Blake does from the bay retire.
His siege of Spain he then again pursues,
And there first brings of his success the news ;
The saddest news that e*er to Spain was broiijjiht,
Their rich fleet sunk, and ours with laurel fraught,
Whilst fame in every place her trumpet blows.
And tells the world how much to you it owes.



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OF MABVELL. 127



THE LOYAL SCOT.

BT CLEVELAND'S GHOST, UPON THE DEATH OF
CAPTAIN DOUOLASy WHO WAS BURNED ON HIS
SHIP AT CHATHAM.

Of the old heroes when the warlike shades
Saw Douglas marching on the Elysian glades,
They all, consulting, gathered in a ring,
Which of the poets should his welcome sing ;
And, as a favourable penance, chose
Cleveland, on whom they would that task impose.
He understood, but willingly addressed
His ready muse, to court that noble guest.
Much had he cured the tumour of his vein.
He judged more clearly now and saw more

plain ;
For those soft airs had tempered every thought.
Since of wise Lethe he had drunk a draught.



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128 THE POEMS

Abruptly he begun, disguising art,
As of his satire this had been a part*

Not so, brave Douglas, on whose lovely chin
Tlie early down but newly did begin.
And modest beauty yet his sex did veil
While envious virgins hope he is a male.
His yellow locks curl back themselves to seek.
Nor other courtship knew but to his cheek.
Oft as he in chill Esk or Tyne, by night,
Hardened and cooled his limbs, so soft, so white,
Among the reeds, to be espied by him.