Poems, and phancies written By the Thrice Noble, Illustrious, And Excellent Princess The Lady Marchioness of Newcastle [i.e. Margaret Cavendish]. The Second Impression, much Altered and Corrected |
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 | Poems, and phancies |  |
The Sea Similized to Meadows and Pastures, the Mariners to Shepherds, the Mast to a May-pole, the Fish to Beasts.
The Waves like Ridges of Plow'd-Land are high,Whereat the Ship oft Stumbling down doth lye;
But in a Calm the Sea's like Meadows, seen
Level, its Saltness makes it look as Green;
When Ships thereon a slow Soft pace do walk,
Then Mariners as Shepherds Sing and Talk;
Some Whistle, and some on their Pipes do Play;
And thus with Mirth they pass their time away:
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Round which they Dance, though not so merrily
As Shepherds do, when they their Lasses bring
Garlands, to May-poles ty'd with a Silk-string;
Instead of Garlands they hang on their Mast
Huge Sails, and Ropes, to tye these Garlands fast;
Instead of Lasses they do Dance with Death,
And for their Musick they have Boreas breath;
Instead of Wine and Wassals drink Salt tears,
And for their Meat they Feed on nought but fears:
For Flocks of Sheep great Sholes of Herrings swim,
The Whales as Ravenous Wolves do feed on them;
As sportfull Kids skip over Hillocks green,
So Dancing Dolphins on the Waves are seen:
The Porpoyse, like their watchfull Dog espies,
And gives them warning when great VVinds will rise;
Instead of Barking, he his Head doth show
Above the Waters when they Roughly flow;
And like as Men in time of showring Rain
And Wind, do not in open Fields remain,
But quickly run for shelter to a Tree,
So Ships at Anchor lye upon the Sea.
| Poems, and phancies | |