Iter boreale With large additions of several other poems: being an exact collection of all hitherto extant. Never before published together. The author R. Wild |
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VI.
Kind Cheshire heard;—And like some son that stoodUpon the Bank, straight jump'd into the flood,
Flings out his arms, & strikes som strokes to swim
Booth ventur'd first, and Middleton with him;
Stout Mackworth, Egerton, and thousands more,
Threw themselves in, and left the safer shore;
Massey (that famous Diver) and bold Brown
Forsook his Wharf,—resolving all to drown,
Or save a sinking Kingdom:—But, O sad!
Fearing to lose her prey, the Sea grew mad,
Rais'd all her billows, and resolv'd her waves,
Should quickly be the bold Adventurers graves.
Out Marches Lambert, like an Eastern Wind,
And with him all the mighty waters joyn'd.
The Loyal Swimmers bore up heads and breasts,
Scorning to think of Life or Interests;
They ply'd their Arms and Thighs, but all in vain;
The furious Main beat them to shore again;
At which the floating Island (looking back,
Spying her loyal Lovers gone to wrack)
Shriekt lowder then before,—and thus she cries,
“Can you be angry heavens, and frowning skies,
“Thus countenance rebellious Mutineers,
“Who, if they durst, would be about your ears?
“That I should sink, with Justice may accord,
“Who let my Pilot be thrown over-board;
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“The Soldiers in me needs would have it so:
“And those who conjur'd up these storms themselves,
“And first engag'd me 'mongst these Rocks and Shelves
“Guilty of all my wo, have rais'd this weather,
“Fearing to come to Land, and chusing rather
“To sink me with themselves,—O cease to frown
“In tears (just Heavens!) behold! my self I drown:
“Let not these proud waves do't: Prevent my fears,
“And let them fall together by the ears.
| Iter boreale | |