Page:Annus Mirabilis - Dryden (1688).djvu/60

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ANNUS MIRABILIS:
155.
Digression concerning Shipping and Navigation. By viewing Nature, Nature's Hand-maid, Art,
Makes mighty things from small beginnings grow:
Thus Fishes first to Shipping did impart,
Their Tail the Rudder, and their Head the Prow.

156.
Some Log, perhaps, upon the waters swam,
An useless drift, which, rudely cut within,
And hollow'd, first a floating Trough became,
And cross some Riv'let Passage did begin.

157.
In shipping such as this, the Irish Kern,
And untaught Indian, on the Stream did glide:
Ere sharp-keel'd Boats to stem the Floud did learn,
Or fin-like Oars did spread from either side.

158.
Add but a Sail, and Saturn so appear'd,
When from lost Empire, he to Exile went,
And with the Golden age to Tyber steer'd,
Where Coin and first Commerce he did invent.

159. Rude