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CANTO XI.

CRUISE OF COMMODORE PORTER.

ARGUMENT.

Invocation. In consequence of the calamities at Raisin, offensive operations are suspended during the continuance of winter. The sailing of the Essex. Capture of the Alert. Porter returns-refitssails for the Pacific-enters the port of Valparaiso. Porter is there discovered by the Phœbe and Cherub. Neutral rights. The Phœbe in the power of the Essex. The challenge-violated by the enemy. The blockade. Porter with a favouring wind endeavours to gain the occan-defeated by a gale carrying away his main top-mast. The British pursue him into the harbour and commence action.

The scene is laid at the above-mentioned places. The time is about ten months-from the commencement of the war, June 18, 1812, until the spring of 1813. From the time the Essex enters the port of Valparaiso, till the period of the battle, is forty-six hours.

FREDONIAD.

CANTO XI.

GENIUS of Poesy! all-courteous deign
To bend thine ear and hearken to my strain—
O thou! from whom the poet doth receive
That hallow'd impulse which not earth can give,
Come, and bestow thy music to my song-
Inspire my thoughts with lofty musings strong.
O let me feel thee through each vein of life,
That I may madden in the maddening strife.
O for a spark that Homer did inspire,
That I may burn and feel myself on fire!
Virgilian sweetness to my verse impart,
To charm with beauty, and dissolve the heart.
Let Shakspeare's fancy, with his poet's eye,
Rush on my soul, and waken raptures high!
With Milton's majesty, exalt my song-
Teach me to speak with his immortal tongue!
Like Ossian, solemn-like his eagles bold-
And let the flood-gates of the mind unfold!

Wherefore, O Muse! so partial to the east,

That thou shouldst there so lavish spread thy feast—