Classic Poem

When Neptune in sorrow, gave up to despair,
On losing his Venus, who 'scap'd from his care;
The Nereides in pity assembl'd around,
And water'd with tears the sea-moisten'd ground.

The god much afflicted to see them distress'd;
In tenderness thus his Nereides address'd —
" Fly quick unto earth, if you'd lessen my grief,
" And bring from my Britons a speedy relief. "

The nymphs, in obedience immediately flew,
And soon recogniz'd their preservers in you.
Ten thousand young tars they with rapture decry'd,
Who seas and each danger, like Briton's defy'd.

The courageous youths were preserv'd by your will,
To fight for Britannia, and shield her from ill;
To look on Adversity's terrors with scorn,
And bid new-born Hope take place of forlorn.

To Neptune the nymphs related the tale,
Who smil'd that Humanity yet did prevail;
" But why should I wonder, " the monarch replied,
" When Mercy and Worth are to Britons allied! "

Dull Lethargy's fetters he broke with disdain,
And scorn'd, like a god, to repine or complain;
Then filling a bumper from Liberty's stream,
Gave the " Guardians of Albion's British Marine . "