The _Good Man Richard_ led the line; The _Alliance_ next: with these combine The Gallic ship they _Pallas_ call: The _Vengeance_, arm'd with sword and flame, These to attack the Britons came-- But two accomplish'd all. 8 Now Phoebus sought his pearly bed: But who can tell the scenes of dread, The horrors of that fatal night! Close up these floating castles came; The _Good Man Richard_ bursts in flame; _Seraphis_ trembled at the sight. 9 She felt the fury of her ball, Down, prostrate down, the Britons fall; The decks were strew'd with slain: Jones to the foe his vessel lash'd; And, while the black artillery flash'd, Loud thunders shook the main. 10 Alas! that mortals should employ Such murdering engines, to destroy That frame by heav'n so nicely join'd; Alas! that e'er the god decreed That brother should by brother bleed, And pour'd such madness in the mind. 11 But thou, brave Jones, no blame shalt bear; The rights of men demand thy care: For these you dare the greedy waves-- No tyrant on destruction bent Has planned thy conquests--thou art sent To humble tyrants and their slaves. 12 See!--dread _Seraphis_ flames again-- And art thou, Jones, among the slain, And sunk to Neptune's caves below-- He lives--though crowds around him fall, Still he, unhurt, survives them all; Almost alone he fights the foe. 13 And can thy ship these strokes sustain? Behold thy brave companions slain, All clasp'd in ocean's dark embrace. "Strike, or be sunk!"--the Briton cries-- "Sink, if you can!"--the chief replies, Fierce lightnings blazing in his face. 14 Then to the side three guns he drew, (Almost deserted by his crew) And charg'd them deep with woe: By Pearson's flash he aim'd the balls; His main-mast totters--down it falls-- Tremendous was the blow.[43] 15 Pearson as yet disdain'd to yield, But scarce his secret fears conceal'd, And thus was heard to cry-- "With hell, not mortals, I contend; "What art thou--human, or a fiend, "That dost my force defy? 16 "Return, my lads, the fight renew!" So call'd bold Pearson to his crew; But call'd, alas! in vain; Some on the decks lay maim'd and dead; Some to their deep recesses fled, And more were bury'd in the main.[44] 17 Distress'd, forsaken, and alone, He haul'd his tatter'd standard down, And yielded to his gallant foe; Bold _Pallas_ soon the _Countess_ took, Thus both their haughty colours struck, Confessing what the brave can do. 18 But, Jones, too dearly didst thou buy These ships possest so gloriously, Too many deaths disgrac'd the fray: Thy barque that bore the conquering flame, That the proud Briton overcame, Even she forsook thee on thy way; 19