They claim the danger, proud of skilful bands; For while with darkling course their vessels sweep The winding shore, or plough the faithless deep, O'er bar and shelf the watery path they sound With dexterous arm, sagacious of the ground: Fearless they combat every hostile wind, 160 Wheeling in mazy tracks, with course inclined: Expert to moor where terrors line the road, Or win the anchor from its dark abode; But drooping, and relax'd, in climes afar, Tumultuous and undisciplined in war. Such Rodmond was; by learning unrefined, That oft enlightens to corrupt the mind-- Boisterous of manners; train'd in early youth To scenes that shame the conscious cheek of truth; To scenes that nature's struggling voice control, 170 And freeze compassion rising in the soul: Where the grim hell-hounds, prowling round the shore, With foul intent the stranded bark explore: Deaf to the voice of woe, her decks they board, While tardy justice slumbers o'er her sword. The indignant Muse, severely taught to feel, Shrinks from a theme she blushes to reveal. Too oft example, arm'd with poisons fell, Pollutes the shrine where mercy loves to dwell: Thus Rodmond, train'd by this unhallow'd crew, 180 The sacred social passions never knew. Unskill'd to argue, in dispute yet loud, Bold without caution, without honours proud; In art unschool'd, each veteran rule he prized, And all improvement haughtily despised. Yet, though full oft to future perils blind, With skill superior glow'd his daring mind, Through snares of death the reeling bark to guide, When midnight shades involve the raging tide. To Rodmond, next in order of command, 190 Succeeds the youngest [1] of our naval band: But what avails it to record a name That courts no rank among the sons of fame; Whose vital spring had just begun to bloom, When o'er it sorrow spread her sickening gloom? While yet a stripling, oft with fond alarms His bosom danced to nature's boundless charms; On him fair science dawn'd in happier hour, Awakening into bloom young fancy's flower But soon adversity, with freezing blast, 200 The blossom wither'd, and the dawn o'ercast. Forlorn of heart, and by severe decree Condemn'd reluctant to the faithless sea, With long farewell he left the laurel grove, Where science and the tuneful sisters rove-- Hither he wander'd, anxious to explore Antiquities of nations now no more; To penetrate each distant realm unknown, And range excursive o'er the untravell'd zone. In vain--for rude adversity's command 210 Still on the margin of each famous land,