72

ciulde Harold's

Canto II.

XVIII.

And oil, the little warlike world within!

The Well-reeved guns, tile netted canopy, ®

The hoarse command, the busy humming diri,When, at a word, the tops are manned on high:Hark to the Boatswain’s call, the cheering cry!While through the seaman’s hand the tackleglides;

Or school-boy Midshipman that, standing by,Strains his shrill pipe as good or ill bolides,

And well the docile crew that skilful urchin guides.

XTX.

White is the glassy deck, without a stain,

Where on the watch the staid Lieutenant walks :i/ook on that part which sacred doth remainFor the lone chieftain, who majestic stalks,

Silent and feared by all — not oft he talksWilli aught beneath him, if he would preserveThat strict restraint, which broken, ever balksConquest and Fame : but Britons rarely swerveFrom Law, however stern, which tends theirstrength to nerve.