Read but the threatning Language of the Skies,
How gathering Clouds, with-Child of Thunders riſe;
See Mountains heap'd in ſtrong Rebellion move,
See Oſſa top'd with Pelion, threatning Jove;
See angry Nature rouſ'd to Civil War,
'Twas Prudence firſt taught Mankind how to fear;
Bold Science, whither wilt thou Steer!
Vain Caution! See the daring Nymph ſets Sail,
What Fear calls Storm, ſhe calls a welcome Gale;
On raging Waves, and Mountain Billows toſt,
She ſees with Joy her Port, with Joy ſhe quits the Coaſt;
The Wind's embrac'd with high expanded Wings
The Sailors ſleep and fly, the Pilot ſings;
Sometimes he mounts ſo high, he turns his Ear,
And liſtens for the Muſick of a Sphere;
Charm'd with the Symphony, he'll Conſort keep,
And Beat true Time, tho' he reviews the Deep.
She's gone, new Worlds ſhe ſeeks, new Worlds ſhe finds,
She rides on Tempeſts, and improves the Winds,
Th' Elemental Terrors ſhe'll deſpiſe,
And Bully Neptune boldly ſhe defies.
See how Mankind by her Experience taught,
Has all to Rule and Method brought;
The [1] Practicable Seas to Art ſubmit,
- ↑ Practicable Seas, made so by the Improvements of Navigation, and particularly the Extraordinary Methods of Building, as well as of Managing great Ships, sitting them to bear the roughest Sea, and to sail to the remotest parts of the World.
