[_When playful Proserpine_. l. 178. The fable of Proserpine's being seized by Pluto as she was gathering flowers, is explained by Lord Bacon to signify the combination or marriage of etherial spirit with earthly materials. Bacon's Works, Vol. V. p. 470. edit. 4to. Lond. 1778. This allusion is still more curiously exact, from the late discovery of pure air being given up from vegetables, and that then in its unmixed state it more readily combines with metallic or inflammable bodies. From these fables which were probably taken from antient hieroglyphics there is frequently reason to believe that the Egyptians possessed much chemical knowledge, which for want of alphabetical writing perished with their philosophers.] 195 VI. "Led by the Sage, Lo! Britain's sons shall guide Huge SEA-BALLOONS beneath the tossing tide; The diving castles, roof'd with spheric glass, Ribb'd with strong oak, and barr'd with bolts of brass, Buoy'd with pure air shall endless tracks pursue, 200 And PRIESTLEY'S hand the vital flood renew.-- Then shall BRITANNIA rule the wealthy realms, Which Ocean's wide insatiate wave o'erwhelms; Confine in netted bowers his scaly flocks, Part his blue plains, and people all his rocks. 205 Deep, in warm waves beneath the Line that roll, Beneath the shadowy ice-isles of the Pole, Onward, through bright meandering vales, afar, Obedient Sharks shall trail her sceptred car, With harness'd necks the pearly flood disturb, 210 Stretch the silk rein, and champ the silver curb; Pleased round her triumph wondering Tritons play, And Seamaids hail her on the watery way. --Oft shall she weep beneath the crystal waves O'er shipwreck'd lovers weltering in their graves; 215 Mingling in death the Brave and Good behold With slaves to glory, and with slaves to gold; Shrin'd in the deep shall DAY and SPALDING mourn, Each in his treacherous bell, sepulchral urn!-- Oft o'er thy lovely daughters, hapless PIERCE! 220 Her sighs shall breathe, her sorrows dew their hearse.-- With brow upturn'd to Heaven, "WE WILL NOT PART!" He cried, and clasp'd them to his aching heart,-- --Dash'd in dread conflict on the rocky grounds, Crash the mock'd masts, the staggering wreck rebounds; 225 Through gaping seams the rushing deluge swims, Chills their pale bosoms, bathes their shuddering limbs, Climbs their white shoulders, buoys their streaming hair, And the last sea-shriek bellows in the air.-- Each with loud sobs her tender sire caress'd, 230 And gasping strain'd him closer to her breast!-- --Stretch'd on one bier they sleep beneath the brine, And their white bones with ivory arms intwine!