THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 85 
Not SO ; for, once indulged, they sweep the main ; 
Deaf to the call, or, hearing, hear in vain ; 
But, bent on mischief, bear the waves before. 
And, not content with seas, insult the shore, 
When ocean, air, and earth at once engage, 
And rooted forests fly before their rage : 
At once the clashing clouds to battle move, 
And lightnings run across the fields above : 
I know them well, and marked their rude comport. 
While yet a child within my father's court ; 
In times of tempest they command alone. 
And he but sits precarious on the throne : 
The more I know, the more my fears augment ; 
And fears are oft prophetic of th' event ; 
But if not fears, or reason will prevail. 
If fate has fix'd thee, obstinate, to sail. 
Go not without thy wife, but let me bear 1 
My part of danger with an equal share, > 
And present, what I suffer only fear : j 
Then o'er the bounding billows shall we fly. 
Secure to live together, or to die. 
These reasons mov'd her starlike husband's heart, 
But still he held liis purpose to depart ; 
I 
