132 A CRITICAL DISSERTATION 



But let us see the Bounty, in the South Seas, an 

 hour before the mutiny. 



" The cloven billow flashed from off her prow 

 / In furrows foimed by that majestic plough." 



Or the vessel in the Corsair — 



** Speed on her prow and terror in her tier." 



Few will dispute either the correctness or splendour 

 of those images ; but Falconer unites the imagination 

 of the poet with a sailor's pride in his vessel. 



** She moves in trim array 

 Like some fair virgin on her bridal day." 



The author's penetration — why not say his heart ? 

 — suggested to him that a tale of the softer passions 

 should give interest to his work. Thomson's storm 

 in summer, would not have been half so interesting 

 without the story of the two lovers : a similar charm 

 IS thrown over the "Shipwreck," by the episode of 

 Palemon and Anna. The Lady Love is the only 

 daughter of Albert, the ship master ; the youth is 

 son to the owner of the vessel — whose expostulation 

 and final resolve to send Palemon to sea, introduce 

 their parting interview. The sorrow of Palemon, 



" Mingled with deep passion 

 For the sweet downcast virgin ;" 



And the fond expostulation of the maiden, 



" With anguish in her angel face," 

 Are oiven with exquisite pathos. 



Parting scenes have ever been favorite themes 

 with poets. Ossian tells us that the eve of an expe- 

 dition, was always dedicated to the song of bards. 

 " Sing on, O ! bards," says the King of Morven, " to- 

 morrow we lift the sail" — Still more beautiful is the 

 thought in " the Island." 



*' To morrow for the Mooa we depart 



But not to night,— to night is for the heart." 



Observe how Falconer enters on such a subject, 

 the Vessel, he says, 



"The vessel parted on the falling tide; 



Vet Time ouf sa( red hour to I.ove supplied ; — 



