CITIZEN MUSKEIN, if he understands Horace, and can read English, will be amply rewarded for the victory of which he has, no doubt, by this time, made a pompous report to the Directory, by the perusal of the 14th Ode of the 1st Book, for which we have to return our thanks to a classical correspondent. A CONSOLATORY ADDRESS TO HIS GUN-BOATS. BY CITIZEN MUSKEIN. _O navis! referent in mare te novi fluctus._ O gentle Gun-Boats, whom the Seine Discharged from Havre to the main; Now leaky, creaking, blood-bespattered, With rudders broken, canvas shattered— O tempt the treacherous sea no more, But gallantly regain the shore. Scarce could our guardian goddess, Reason, Ensure your timbers through the season. Though built of wood from famed Marseilles, Well-manned from galleys, and from jails, Though with LEPAUX’S and REWBELL’S aid, By PLEVILLE’S[256] skill your keel was laid; Though lovely STAEL, and lovelier STONE,[256] Have worked their fingers to the bone, And cut their petticoats to rags To make your bright three-coloured flags; Yet sacrilegious grape and ball Deform the works of STONE and STAEL, And trembling, without food or breeches, Our sailors curse the _painted_ ——.[257] Children of Muskein’s anxious care, Source of my hope and my despair, GUN-BOATS—unless you mean hereafter To furnish food for British laughter— Sweet GUN-BOATS, with your gallant crew, Tempt not the rocks of SAINT MARCOU; Beware the Badger’s bloody pennant, And that d——d invalid LIEUTENANT! LYRICS OF HORACE. ODE XIV., BOOK I. TRANSLATED BY ARCHDEACON WRANGHAM. O Ship, fresh billows soon again Shall bear thee to the boisterous main! Firm, keep the port. See, see thy side, Without a single oar to guide! Wounded by tempests is thy mast; Thy sail-yards groan beneath the blast; Nor can thy keel, uncabled, brave The swelling of th’ imperious wave. Torn are thy sails! nor Gods hast thou, When danger threats, to hear thy vow. Though born of noblest wood, ’twas thine To tower a vigorous Pontic pine; ’Tis vain thy race, thy name, to prize: Nought on his painted stern relies The trembling seaman. Storms afar Thicken to mock thy strength: beware.