No More Learning

Our seamen, whom no danger's shape could
fright.
Unpaid, refuse to mount their ships for spite.
Or to their fellows swim on board the Dutch,
Who show the tempting metal in their clutch.
Oft had he sent, of Diincombe and of Legge,
Cannon and powder, but in vain, to beg ;
And Upnor eastle*s ill-deserted wall.
Now needful does for ammunition calL
He finds, where'er he succour might expect.
Confusion, folly, treachery, fear, neglect.

But when the Royal Charles (what rage ! what
grief ! )
fie saw seized, and could give her no relief;
That sacred keel that had, as he, restored
Its exiled soverei«;ii on its happy board,
And thence the Uritish Admiral became,
. Crowned for that him it with his master's name;



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OP MARVELL. 233

That pleasure-boat of war, in whose dear side
Secure, so oft he had this foe defied,
Now a cheap spoil, and the mean victor's slave,
Taught the Dutch colours from its top to wave, —
Of former glories the reproachful thought,
With present shame compared, his mind distort.

Such from Euphrates' bank, a tigress fell
After her robbei*s for her whelps doth yell.
But sees enraged the river flow between.
Frustrate revenge, and love by loss more keen ;
At her own breast her useless claws does arm.
She tears herself, 'cause him she cannot harm.
The guards, placed for the cliain*s and fleet's
defence.
Long since were fled on many a feigned pretence.

Daniel had there adventured, man of might ;
Sweet Painter, draw his picture while I write.
Paint him of pei'son tall, and big of bone.
Large limbs like ox, not to be killed but shown.
Scarce can burned ivory feign a hair so black.
Or face so red thine ochre and thy lac ;
Mix a vain terror in his martial Un^k,
And all those lines by which mcMi are mistook.
But when by shame constraiiutl to go on board,
He heard how the wild cannon iK^uier roared.
And saw himself confined lik'' -hrep in pen,
Daniel then thought he was in lion's den.



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234 THE POKM8

But when the fire-ships terrible he saw,
Pregnaot with sulphur, nearer to him draw.
Captain, Lieutenant, Ensign, all make haste.
Ere in the fiery furnace they be cast ;
Three children tall, unsinged, away they row.
Like Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego.
Each doleful day still with fresh loss returns.
The Loyal London now a third time bums ;
And the true Royal Oak, and Royal James,
Allied in fate, increase with theirs her flames.
Of all our navy none should now survive.