Poems, Songs and Love-Verses upon several Subjects. By Matthew Coppinger |
 |
|
On his viewing a Fragment of the Old James.
|
 | Poems, Songs and Love-Verses |  |
On his viewing a Fragment of the Old James.
This piece of Wood, which now doth lyeNeglected by each passer by,
Not for so base a use design'd,
Did once despise the Waves and Wind.
This was a Member of that Frame
That once did bear great James's his Name;
Within whose bulk there did embark
More Souls than Creatures in the Ark;
And unto cruel Death did drive
Far more than Noah sav'd alive.
His wide-mouth'd Cannon oft did make
The Watery Region to quake;
And frighted Neptune from his Seat,
Whilst his shrill Tryton blew Retreat.
The quondam rageing Waves did fly,
And left the Neighbouring Ocean dry.
83
Did oft the drunken Dutch provoke;
And made the modish French to find
The difference 'twixt Smoak and Wind.
Yet now, in midst of all his State,
His Glory he resigns to Fate;
Like Hercules, (though Jove his Sire)
Yields to consuming Flames of Fire.
This makes the English Proverb sound,
Who's born to hang, shall ne're be drown'd.
For whom the Waves cou'd never tire,
Lies here at last, consum'd by Fire.
| Poems, Songs and Love-Verses | |