548 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1S12. 



From CHILDE HAROLD'S PILGRIMAGE. 

 By Lord Byron. 



HE that has sailed upon the dark blue sea. 

 Has view'd at times, I ween, a full fair sight ; 

 When the fresh breeze is fair as breeze may be. 

 The white sail set, the gallant frigate tight; 

 Masts, spires, and strand retiring to the right. 

 The glorious main expanding o'er the bow, 

 The convoy spread like wild swans in their flight, 

 The dullest sailer wearing bravely now, 

 - So gaily curl the waves before each dashing prow. 



And oh, the little warlike world within! 

 The well reev'd guns, the netted canopy. 

 The hoarse command, the busy humming din. 

 When, at a word, the tops are mann'd on high : 

 Hark to the Boatswain's call, the cheering cry ! 

 While through the seaman's hand the tackle glides ; 

 Or school-boy Midshipman that standing by. 

 Strains his shrill pipe as good or ill betides. 

 And well the docile crew that skilful urchin guides. 



White is the glassy deck, without a stain. 

 Where on the watch the staid Lieutenant walks : 

 Look on that part which sacred doth remain 

 For the loan chieftain, who majestic stalks. 

 Silent and fear'd by all — not oft he talks 

 With aught beneath him, if he would preserve 

 That strict restraint, which broken, ever balks 

 Conquest and Fame : but Britons rarely swerve 

 From Law, however stern, which tends their strength to nerve. 



Blow ! swiftly blow, thou keel-compelling gale ! 

 Till the broad sun withdraws his lessening ray ; 

 Then must the pennant-bearer slacken sail. 

 That lagging barks may make their lazy way. 

 Ah, grievance sore! and listless dull delay, 

 To waste cm sluggish hulks the sweetest breeze. 

 What leagues are lost before the dawn of day ? 

 Thus loitering pensive on the willing seas. 

 The flapping sail haul'd down to halt for logs like these! 



The moon is up ; by Heaven a lovely eve ! 

 Long streams of light o'er dancing waves expand ; 

 Now lads on shore may sigh and maids believe: 

 Such be our fate when we return to land ! 



Meantime 



