Though that the ship is ruin'd of a mast,
Yet may her guns be terrible in blast.

"I not these neutral waters will regard, But seize the happy moment of reward.

Yes, power gives right!--this truth all monarchs know,
And justify all methods with their foe.

What though my oath I counterfeit did pledge,
That not in harbour I'd the battle wage-
But what are oaths? as light as gossamer,
When great advantage they to us confer.
'Tis truth establish'd-sanctified by laws,
That oaths bind not from terrifying cause;
Hence I'm enfranchis'd from that pledge of late,
For then a hair but held us from our fate.

Our ship was like an infant in their power---
The oath preserv'd us in that desperate hour.
The sheets take in.

"No more.

With caution turn. And at fair distance settle on her stern; Level the balls to strike her life-ribs through, And let her sides be crimson'd with her crew." He gave his thoughts. His mariners rejoice To find a distant action was his choice; For though dismasted by the whirlwind dire, Yet dreaded they the waking of her ire.

The trumpet Hillyar plies with swelling cheeks, And these instructions he to Tucker speaks:

66

Cherub, attend!-see every part be clear!

Stand for engagement with your strength severe! Charge deep and prime your cannon for the blowCast your spring cables opposite her bow.

Kindle your matches--let them smouldering burn--I blank shall strike and rake her through her stern." Tucker replied: "I'll prompt obey the mode--My engines pois'd are ready to explode."

The shores around, and neighbouring heights are

seen,

And house-tops, balconies, oppress'd with men
In breathless silence gazing on the stream,
To mark the lightnings of the conflict gleam.
Their souls, their hearts, their every fibre feel
A cold ice terror for the Essex weal.
The slightest motion of the vessel proves
A mark'd attention---if a halyard moves,
Or a sail flutters, every bended eye
With prying look enquires the reason why.

Porter at once their dastard purpose scann'd--And a brief moment he address'd his band:

"The perjur'd foe comes bearing for the storm! Now prove what hearts of valour can perform! Though they our ship outmeasure three to one, We 'll draw their blood before the fight is done. Behold what thousands crowd the summits high! Now show the manner that the brave can die!"

Instant he clos'd, the ships began to burnOne on the bow, the other on the stern.

CANTO XII.

PORTER'S DEFENCE OF THE

ESSEX.

ARGUMENT.

Transactions of the invisible agents. Porter's defence of the

Essex.

The scene is laid on the White Mountains and at Valparaiso. The

book commences at midnight preceding the attack, and closes with the action, which continues two hours and twenty-six minutes.

FREDONIAD.

CANTO XII.

THE Muse must leave the battle to explain
The secret movements of th' infernal train—
For they unceasing exercis'd their art
To break the chain of Unity apart—

A chain, once sunder'd, nothing can unite-
The Star of Freedom will be quench'd in night.

In dubious season, previous to the day That Porter strove to gain the open sea, The arch Intriguer, cloth'd in darkness deep, Convok'd his agents on the rude cliffs steep. They rose like clouds of smoke at signal given— A flash of hell from either eyeball driven.

Betray would he at times an outward air, Which show'd a bosom fester'd with its care. Since Freedom's Goddess on the ocean came, He felt the smouldering of an inward flameYet he with labour the fix'd pain conceal'd, Lest it should bend the sceptre which he held: