Classic Poem

BY CITIZEN MUSKEIN .

O Navis, referent in mare te novi fluctus.

O GENTLE G UN-BOATS , whom the Seine
Discharged from Havre to the main;
Now leaky, creaking, blood-bespatter'd,
With rudders broken, canvas shatter'd —
O tempt the treacherous sea no more,
But gallantly regain the shore.

Scarce could our guardian Goddess, Reason,
Ensure your timbers through the season:
Though built of wood from famed Marseilles,
Well mann'd from galleys, and from jails;
Though with Lepaux's, and Rewbell's aid,
By Pleville's skill your keel was laid;
Though lovely Stael, and lovelier Stone,
Have work'd their fingers to the bone,
And cut their petticoats to rags
To make your bright Three-Colour'd Flags;
Yet sacrilegious grape and ball
Deform the works of Stone and Stael,
And trembling, without food or breeches,
Our sailors curse the painted — — —
O Navis, referent in mare te novi
Fluctus. O quid-agis? — fortiter occupa
Portum. Nonne vides, ut
Nudum remigio latus,
Et malus celeri saucius Africo,
Antennaeque geniant? Ac sine funibus
Vix durare carinae
Possint imperiosius
Æquor? Non tibi sunt integra lintea;
Non Dii, quos iterum pressa voces malo;
Quamvis Pontica pinus,
Silvae filia nobilis,

Children of Muskein's anxious care,
Source of my hope and my despair,
G UN-BOATS — unless you mean hereafter
To furnish food for British laughter —
Sweet G UN-BOATS , with your gallant crew,
Tempt not the rocks of Saint M ARCOU ;
Beware the Badger's bloody pennant,
And that d — — d invalid L IEUTENANT !
Jactes et genus, et nomen inutile.
Nil pictis timidus navita puppibus
Fidit. Tu, nisi ventis
Debes ludibrium, cave,
Nuper sollicitum quae mihi taedium,
Nunc desiderium, curaque non levis,
Interfusa intentes
Vites aequora Cycladast.