Classic Poem

A Little Snow of Nature's own Formation,
Was launch'd and fitted out, in this same Nation,
So fair to look upon, so neat and trim,
You'd think she safely might the Ocean skim.
By Females managed, Dame Virtue Master,
Prudence her Pilot; to prevent Disaster
Religion cast her Anchor, wisely thinking,
That buoy'd by Hope , they need not fear her sinking.
She, from the Harbour of paternal Love,
Was bound, the matrimonial Joys to prove.
Freighted with each Accomplishment requir'd;
The Graces Passengers, by all admir'd.
She'd scarce unfurl'd her Sails, and 'gan to steer;
When she descry'd a stately Pirate near.
Struck with the Beauty of this new-launch'd Barge,
He hail'd her courteously; with a Discharge
Of fine insinuating Oaths, in Vollies,
But under Hatches kept his Crimes and Follies.
Declar'd if she'd surrender, without Force,
And strait agree, to join him in his Course;
In ev'ry Prize he'd take, she should be Sharer,
And he'd protect her Trade, cou'd aught be fairer?
That, to the self-same Port himself was bound,
And it might hap, that she might run a-ground.
Virtue and Prudence with Religion held
A Minute's Counsel: Judg'd, when thus compell'd,
'Twas Nonsense, to dispute with Force unequal;
To yield, on honourable Terms, the Sequel.
This done, the happy Pirate took Possession;
And ne'er was better pleas'd, by's own Confession.
Some Years they sail'd together with Success,
And he did Riches to his Wish possess;
Grew great in Pow'r, and lorded it o'er all
That in the Circle, of his Course did fall.
Nourish'd his Follies, sported with his Crimes,
Nor fear'd to stem, foul Sin's obnoxious Slimes;
Fell in with a mean Brig , of tatter'd Form,
Whose Owner, Lust , had weather'd out a Storm;
She boarded was full oft, as often turn'd
Aloof, by her pall'd Conqu'rors, ever scorn'd.
This unrigg'd lakey Vessel took him in,
Blinded his Reason, and indulg'd his Sin;
Took the fine Ship that he possest, in Tow,
And broke the League, 'tween him and Virtue 's Snow.
New rigg'd herself, and patch'd up her Defects
Out of the Snow 's, monopoliz'd Effects;
Took e'en her Compass, for she'd none herself,
And aggrandiz'd her Crew, with stolen Pelf.
But e'er they quitted the deceived Barge,
They wou'd a broad-side at her first discharge;
Intending, 'twas no doubt, to sink the Snow ,
But Prudence warded off th' intended Blow
Which serv'd to make Resentment fiercer glow.
Virtue despis'd the Pirate , that forsook her,
To him a Treasure when at first he took her;
Lust steer'd his Course, to Death's avoided Port,
While fickle Fortune, made of Virtue Sport:
But Patience kindly stem'd the boist'rous Tide,
And brought a Compass, which they gladly try'd.
By this they steer'd for many Years, at length
Age and Infirmity impair'd their Strength;
When Patience , lonely sitting at the Poop,
Began to faint, and ag'd Religion stoop.
Virtue sat nodding in the Stern below,
While Prudence , watchful, call'd on Hope to know
If yet no Land appear'd? bold Hope cry'd out,
Tis there, I see it, tack about! about!
All Hands aloft — alas! the Thought was vain,
'Tis but a Cloud, that edg'd the Western Main.
While thus they talk'd, Intelligence went by,
Freighted with Truth and Falshood, loud did cry,
Your faithless Part'ner t'other Day's arriv'd
At his last Port, the Brig has rarely thriv'd.
She has in hold, the All that he has left,
And claims a Right, to what she's got by Theft,
His lawful Part'ner you — exert your Right;
Steer to the Port of Justice, 'tis in sight.
Hope clap'd her Hands, and Prudence tack'd about,
Patience 'gan smile, Religion soon grew stout;
Virtue , their Patroness, above appears,
And promises her Snow , some happy Years.
A prosperous Gale, fills each expanded Shroud,
On which a thousand various Wishes croud;
Fears do in Surges on the Ocean rise,
No sooner seen, in Dissipation dies.
At last she gains the wish'd-for promis'd Bay,
And Anchor casts, by Restoration kay;
She cries to Justice, to redress her Wrong,
Her lawful Right enforc'd, by Reason strong,
Waits the Decision of her hapless Fate,
To make her Joy or Misery, compleat.