The sea-chief stood: in glittering gold array'd— It aw'd, impress'd, subdued the gazer's soul— VII. Now as he rais'd his hand, the naval train 50 That in his highest flight was heard the cry Then as the kindling ardour thrill'd each breast, Sunk are they now, they press the sainted ground, Exacts the tribute of a bosom sigh. 60 Yet sleep they not in cold oblivion's gloom, Lives in our breasts, and warms with sacred fires, Yes! ere our vessel tempt the billow's roll, 70 75 With age, and youth, and childhood kneeling round, VIII. Now to the sands the crew descending bend,. weep the sailor's absence on the tide. 80 85 IX. THE FRIGATE'S CREW. The tall New Englanders, a hardy band, His form approach, when, from his nostrils wide, 90 95 These our first Watch-to whom the rugged plank Yields slumber sweeter than the mossy bank. X. The Pennsylvanians, eager to explore When the rock'd yard dips low its pointed arm, They climb the shrouds-with breasts that scorn aları Cling to the cord, display the pendant form, These form a watch-and the same district hail With their great chief who rules the helm and sail. XI. 110 The gay Virginians-the main-deck train A watch these form-when on the nightly gale The American crews are eminently skilled in handling the great guns. It is notorious that their ships have disabled those of the enemy, without sustaining any material damage themselves. I have had occasion to notice that the men, in exercising their guns at a cask on the water, are ever mindful of the heave of the sea, and never fire till the ship is on an even keel. Hence their main-deck battery acquires the precision of a fort.-But this is a horrid subject to the Philanthropist ! XII. The Mississippians, us'd to gallies' sails, From silver streams that flow through smiling vales, Where the long loaded raft, and cumbrous barge, Trust to the placid wave their weighty charge. These, in our waist, the sinewy arm afford 120 XIII. game, Last-the Kentuckians, new to naval fame, These in the fight-from the top's airy round, Inspir'd by freedom, one congenial soul The waist of a Frigate is the midship part of the main-deck. The men stationed there are called Waisters, and their principal occupation is to pull and haul. |