The Poetical Works of Beattie, Blair, and Falconer Part 41

[Footnote 2: 'The wheel:' in all large ships the helm is managed by a wheel.]

[Footnote 3: 'Quarter:' the quarter is the hinder part of a ship's side, or that part which is near the stern.]

[Footnote 4: 'Eliza:' or Dido.]

[Footnote 5: 'Broaching-to:' a sudden and involuntary movement in navigation, wherein a ship, whilst scudding or sailing before the wind, unexpectedly turns her side to windward. It is generally occasioned by the difficulty of steering her, or by some disaster happening to the machinery of the helm.]

[Footnote 6:

----sed scilicet ultima semper Expectanda dies homini; _dicique beatus Ante obitum nemo supremaque funera debet._

OVID, Metam. lib. iii.]

OCCASIONAL ELEGY,

IN WHICH THE PRECEDING NARRATIVE IS CONCLUDED.

1

The scene of death is closed! the mournful strains Dissolve in dying languor on the ear; Yet pity weeps, yet sympathy complains, And dumb suspense awaits o'erwhelm'd with fear:

2

But the sad Muses with prophetic eye At once the future and the past explore; Their harps oblivion's influence can defy, And waft the spirit to the eternal sh.o.r.e--

3

Then, O Palemon! if thy shade can hear The voice of friendship still lament thy doom, Yet to the sad oblations bend thine ear, That rise in vocal incense o'er thy tomb.

4

From young Arion first the news received With terror, pale unhappy Anna read; With inconsolable distress she grieved, And from her cheek the rose of beauty fled:

5

In vain, alas! the gentle virgin wept, Corrosive anguish nipt her vital bloom; O'er her soft frame diseases sternly crept, And gave the lovely victim to the tomb.

6

A longer date of woe, the widow'd wife Her lamentable lot afflicted bore; Yet both were rescued from the chains of life Before Arion reach'd his native sh.o.r.e!

7

The father unrelenting phrenzy stung, Untaught in virtue's school distress to bear; Severe remorse his tortured bosom wrung, He languish'd, groan'd, and perish'd in despair.

8

Ye lost companions of distress, adieu!

Your toils, and pains, and dangers are no more; The tempest now shall howl unheard by you, While ocean smites in vain the trembling sh.o.r.e:

9

On you the blast, surcharged with rain and snow, In winter's dismal nights no more shall beat; Unfelt by you the vertic sun may glow, And scorch the panting earth with baneful heat;

10

No more the joyful maid, with sprightly strain, Shall wake the dance to give you welcome home; Nor hopeless love impart undying pain, When far from scenes of social joy you roam:

11

No more on yon wide watery waste you stray, While hunger and disease your life consume-- While parching thirst, that burns without allay, Forbids the blasted rose of health to bloom:

12

No more you feel contagion's mortal breath That taints the realms with misery severe, No more behold pale famine, scattering death, With cruel ravage desolate the year.

13

The thundering drum, the trumpet's swelling strain, Unheard, shall form the long embattled line: Unheard, the deep foundations of the main Shall tremble, when the hostile squadrons join.

14

Since grief, fatigue, and hazards still molest The wandering va.s.sals of the faithless deep; Oh! happier now escaped to endless rest, Than we who still survive to wake and weep.

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