70 ODE on the POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS of 



' In horrid mufings rapt, they fit to mark 



The labouring moon ; or lift the nightly yell 

 ' Of that dread fpirit, whofe gigantic form 



The feer's entranced eye can well furvey, 

 Through the dim air who guides the driving ftorm, 

 " And points the wretched bark its deftin'd prey. 

 ' Or him who hovers, on his flagging wing, 



' O'er the dire whirlpool, that, in ocean's wafte, 

 " Draws inftant down whate'er devoted thing 



The failing breeze within its reach hath plac'd 

 " The diftant feaman hears, and flies with trembling hafte. 



VI. 



1 OR, if on land the fiend exerts his fway, 



' Silent he broods o'er quickfand, bog, or fen, 

 ' Far from the melt' ring roof and haunts of men, 

 When witched darknefs {huts the eye of day, 

 ' And Ihrouds each ftar that wont to cheer the night ; 

 ' Or, if the drifted fnow perplex the way, 

 With treach'rous gleam he lures the fated wight, 

 " And leads him floundering on, and quite aftray." 

 What though far off, from fome dark dell efpied 



His glimm'ring mazes cheer th' excurfive fight, 

 Yet turn, ye wand'rers, turn your fteps aiide, 



Nor truft the guidance of that faithlefs light ; 

 For watchful, lurking 'mid th' unruftling reed, 

 At thofe mirk * hours the wily monfter lies, 

 And liftens oft to hear the pafling fleed, 



And frequent round him rolls his fullen eyes, 

 If chance his favage wrath may fome weak wretch furprife. 



VII. 



AH, lucklefs fwain, o'er all unbleft indeed ! 

 Whom late bewilder'd in the dank, dark fen, 



Far 



* Firft written, fad. 



