No More Learning

Often, dear Painter, have I sat and nuiscd
Why he should be on all adventures used ;
Do they for nothing ill, like ashen wood,
Oi* think him, like Herb-John, for nothing good ?
Whether his valour they so much admire,
Or that for cowardice they all retiie,



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OF MARVELL. 229

As heaven in storms, they call, in gusts of state,
On Monk and Parliament, — yet both do hate.
All causes sure concur, but most they think
Under Herculean labours he may sink.
Soon then the independent troops would close,
And Hyde's last project of his place dispose.

Ruyter, the while,* that had our ocean curbed,
Sailed now amongst our rivers undisturbed ;
Surveyed their crystal streams and banks so

green.
And beauties ere this never naked seen :
Through the vain sedge the bashful nymphs he

eyed.
Bosoms, and all which from themselves they hide.
The sun much brighter, and tlie sky more clear.
He finds, the air and all things sweeter heru ;
The sudden change, and such a tempting sight,
Swells his old veins with fresh blood, fresh

delight ;
Like amorous victors he begins to shave,
And his new face looks in the English wave ;
His sporting navy all about him swim,
And witness their complacence in their trim ;
Their streaming silks play through the weather

fair.
And with inveigling colours court the air,
While the red fiags breathe on their topmasts high
Terror and war, but want an enemy.
* The Dutch Admiral who burned our i^hips tii (l. iitham.



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230 THK rOKMS

Among the shrouds the seamen sit and sing,
And wanton boys on every rope do cling :
Old Neptune springs the tides, and waters lent,
(The Gods themselves do help the provident)
And where the deep keel on the shallow cleave? ,
With trident's lever and great shoulder heaves ;
^olus their sails inspires with eastern wind,
Puffs them along, and breathes upon them kind ;
With pearly shell the Tritons all the while
Sound the sea-march, and guide to Sheppy isle.
So have I seen in April's bud arise
A fleet of clouds sailing along the skies ;
The liquid region with their squadrons filled.
Their airy sterns the sun behind doth gild.
And gentle gales them steer, and heaven drives,
When all on sudden their calm bosom rives,
With thunder and lightning from each armed

cloud ;
Shepherds themselves in vain in bushes shroud ; —
So up the stream the Belgic navy glides,
And at Sheerness unloads its stormy sides.

Sprag there, though practised in the sr:i-
command.
With panting heart lay like a fish on land,
And quickly judged the fort was not tenal'lc
Which if a house, yet were not tenantabic ;
Ko man can sit there safe, the cannon pours
Through walls untight, and through the bullci
showers.



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OF MARVELL. 231

The neighbourhood ill, and an unwholsome seat,

He at the first salute resolves retreat;

And swore that he would never more dwell

there,
Until the city put it in repair ;
So he in front, his garrison in rear,
Marched straight to Chatham to increase their

fear.

There our sick ships unrigged in summer lay,
Like moulting fowl, a weak and easy prey.
For whose strong bulk earth scarce could timber

find,
The ocean water, or the heavens wind,
Those oaken giants of the ancient race.
That ruled all seas, and did our channel grace ;
The conscious stag, though once the forest's

dread.
Flies to the wood, and hides his armless head.
Ruyter forthwith a squadron doth untack ;
They sail securely through the river's track.
An English pilot too (O, shame ! O, sin ! ) •
Cheated of 's pay, was he that showed them in.

Our wretched ships within their fate attend.