Embalm'd with orient gum, above the wave 790 The swelling sides a yellow radiance gave. On the broad stern, a pencil warm and bold, That never servile rules of art controll'd, An allegoric tale on high portray'd; There a young hero, here a royal maid: Fair England's genius in the youth express'd, Her ancient foe, but now her friend confess'd, The warlike nymph with fond regard survey'd; No more his hostile frown her heart dismay'd: His look, that once shot terror from afar, 800 Like young Alcides, or the god of war, Serene as summer's evening skies she saw; Serene, yet firm; though mild, impressing awe: Her nervous arm, inured to toils severe, Brandish'd the unconquer'd Caledonian spear: The dreadful falchion of the hills she wore, Sung to the harp in many a tale of yore, That oft her rivers dyed with hostile gore. Blue was her rocky shield; her piercing eye Flash'd like the meteors of her native sky; 810 Her crest high-plumed, was rough with many a scar, And o'er her helmet gleam'd the Northern Star. The warrior youth appear'd of noble frame, The hardy offspring of some Runic dame: Loose o'er his shoulders hung the slacken'd bow, Renown'd in song, the terror of the foe! The sword that oft the barbarous north defied, The scourge of tyrants! glitter'd by his side: Clad in refulgent arms in battle won, The George emblazon'd on his corslet shone; 820 Fast by his side was seen a golden lyre, Pregnant with numbers of eternal fire; Whose strings unlock the witches' midnight spell, Or waft rapt fancy through the gulfs of hell: Struck with contagion, kindling fancy hears The songs of heaven, the music of the spheres! Borne on Newtonian wing, through air she flies, Where other suns to other systems rise. These front the scene conspicuous; overhead Albion's proud oak his filial branches spread: 830 While on the sea-beat shore obsequious stood, Beneath their feet, the father of the flood: Here the bold native of her cliffs above, Perch'd by the martial maid the bird of Jove; There on the watch, sagacious of his prey, With eyes of fire, an English mastiff lay: Yonder fair Commerce stretch'd her winged sail, Here frown'd the God that wakes the living gale. High o'er the poop the flattering winds unfurl'd The imperial flag that rules the watery world. 840 Deep blushing armors all the tops invest, And warlike trophies either quarter dress'd; Then tower'd the masts, the canvas swell'd on high, And waving streamers floated in the sky. Thus the rich vessel moves in trim array, Like some fair virgin on her bridal day;