IV. The fun but feem'd the lab'rer of the year; * Each waxing moon supply'd her watry store, Thus, mighty in her fhips, stood Carthage long, VI. What peace can be, where both to one pretend? Or if a peace, it soon must have an end; For they would grow too powerful, were it long. VII. Behold two nations then, engag'd fo far, That each feven years the fit must shake each land: Where France will fide to weaken us by war, Who only can his vaft designs withstand. VIII. See how he he feeds th' Iberian † with delays, He rocks the cradle of the babe of Spain. IX. Such deep defigns of empire does he lay O'er them, whofe cause he seems to take in hand; * Each waxing, &c.] According to their opinion, who think, that great heap of waters, under the line, is depreffed into tides by the moon, towards the poles. + Th' Iberian.] The Spaniard. And, prudently, would make them lords at fea, X. This faw our king; and long within his breast XI. His gen'rous mind the fair ideas drew Of fame and honour, which in dangers lay; Where wealth, like fruit on precipices, grew, Not to be gather'd, but by birds of prey. XII. The lofs and gain each fatally were great; He, first, furvey'd the charge with careful eyes, Which none but mighty monarchs could maintain; Yet judg'd, like vapours that from lembics rife, It would in richer fhowers defcend again. XIV. At length refolv'd t' affert the watry ball, He in himself did whole armado's bring: And chufe for general, were he not their king. It feems as ev'ry fhip their fovereign knows, So hear the fcaly herd when * Proteus blows, To fee this fleet upon the ocean move, Angels drew wide the curtains of the skies For tapers made two glaring comets rife. Whether they unctuous exhalations are, Fir'd by the fun, or feeming fo alone: Or one, that bright companion of the fun, Whofe glorious aspect feal'd our new-born king; And now a round of greater years begun, New influence from his walks of light did bring. Victorious York did, firft, with fam'd fuccefs, XX. But fince it was decreed, aufpicious king, In Britain's right that thou fhouldft wed the main, *When Proteus blows.] --Coeruleus Proteus immania ponti Armenta et magnas pafcit fub gurgite phocas. VIRG. Heav'n, as a gage, would caft fome precious thing, And therefore doom'd that Lawfon fhould be flain. XXI. Lawson amongst the foremost met his fate, Whom fea-green Sirens from the rocks lament: He firft was kill'd, who first to battle went. * Their chief blown up, in air, not waves, expir'd, XXIII. To nearest ports their shatter'd ships repair, When thunder fpeaks the angry gods abroad. And now approach'd their fleet from India fraught, And precious fand ‡ from Southern climates brought, Like hunted Caftors, confcious of their store, Their way-lay'd wealth to Norway's coaft they bring : There firft the North's cold bofom fpices bore, *The admiral of Holland. XXVI. By the rich scent we found our perfum'd prey, Fiercer than cannon, and than rocks more hard, Thefe fight like hufbands, but like lovers thofe : Amidft whole heaps of fpices lights a ball, XXX. And though by tempefts of the prize bereft, Nor wholly loft we fo deferv'd a prey; The British ocean fent her mighty Lord. Go, mortals, now, and vex yourselves in vain For wealth, which fo uncertainly must coine: |