With what?

-a Ship of lusty size;
A gallant, stately Man-of-war,
Fixed on a smoothly sliding car.
Surprise to all, but most surprise
To Benjamin, who rubs his eyes,
Not knowing that he had befriended
A Man so gloriously attended!

"This," cries the Sailor, "a Third-rate is, Stand back, and you shall see her gratis! This was the Flag-ship at the Nile,

The Vanguard, you may smirk and smile,
But, pretty Maid, if you look near,
You'll find you've much in little here!
A nobler ship did never swim,

And you shall see her in full trim:
I'll set, my friends, to do you honor,
Set every inch of sail upon her."

So said, so done; and masts, sails, yards,
He names them all; and interlards
His speech with uncouth terms of art,
Accomplished in the showman's part;
And then, as from a sudden check,

Cries out," "T is there, the quarter-deck On which brave Admiral Nelson stood,

A sight that would have roused your blood!
One eye he had, which, bright as ten,
Burned like a fire among his men ;
Let this be land, and that be sea,

Here lay the French and thus came we!"

Hushed was by this the fiddle's sound, The dancers all were gathered round, And, such the stillness of the house, You might have heard a nibbling mouse; While, borrowing helps where'er he may, The Sailor through the story runs Of ships to ships and guns to guns; And does his utmost to display The dismal conflict, and the might And terror of that marvellous night! "A bowl, a bowl of double measure,” Cries Benjamin, "a draught of length, To Nelson, England's pride and treasure, Her bulwark and her tower of strength!" When Benjamin had seized the bowl, The mastiff, from beneath the wagon, Where he lay, watchful as a dragon, Rattled his chain t' was all in vain. For Benjamin, triumphant soul! He heard a monitory growl;

Heard, and in opposition quaffed

A deep, determined, desperate draught!
Nor did the battered Tar forget,

Or flinch from what he deemed his debt:
Then, like a hero crowned with laurel,
Back to her place the ship he led;
Wheeled her back in full apparel;
And so, flag flying at masthead,
Re-yoked her to the Ass: - anon,
Cries Benjamin, "We must be gone."

Thus, after two hours' hearty stay,
Again behold them on their way!

CANTO THIRD.

RIGHT gladly had the horses stirred,
When they the wished-for greeting heard,
The whip's loud notice from the door,
That they were free to move once more.
You think, those doings must have bred
In them disheartening doubts and dread :
No, not a horse of all the eight,

Although it be a moonless night,
Fears either for himself or freight;
For this they know, (and let it hide,
In part, the offences of their guide,)
That Benjamin, with clouded brains,
Is worth the best with all their pains;
And if they had a prayer to make,

The prayer would be that they may take
With him whatever comes in course,

The better fortune or the worse;

That no one else may have business near them, And, drunk or sober, he may steer them.

So, forth in dauntless mood they fare, And with them goes the guardian pair.

Now, heroes, for the true commotion, The triumph of your late devotion!

Can aught on earth impede delight,
Still mounting to a higher height;
And higher still, a greedy flight!
Can any low-born care pursue her,
Can any mortal clog come to her?
No notion have they, not a thought,
That is from joyless regions brought!
And, while they coast the silent lake,
Their inspiration I partake;
Share their empyreal spirits,-yea,
With their enraptured vision, see-
O fancy what a jubilee!

What shifting pictures, clad in gleams
Of color bright as feverish dreams!
Earth, spangled sky, and lake serene,
Involved and restless all,

a scene

Pregnant with mutual exaltation,
Rich change, and multiplied creation!
This sight to me the Muse imparts;
And then, what kindness in their hearts!
What tears of rapture, what vow-making,
Profound entreaties, and hand-shaking!
What solemn, vacant interlacing,
As if they'd fall asleep embracing!
Then, in the turbulence of glee,
And in the excess of amity,

Says Benjamin, "That Ass of thine,
He spoils thy sport, and hinders mine:
If he were tethered to the wagon,

He'd drag as well what he is dragging;

And we, as brother should with brother,
Might trudge it alongside each other!"

Forthwith, obedient to command,
The horses made a quiet stand;
And to the wagon's skirts was tied
The Creature, by the Mastiff's side,
The Mastiff wondering, and perplexed
With dread of what will happen next;
And thinking it but sorry cheer
To have such company so near!

This new arrangement made, the Wain
Through the still night proceeds again;
No Moon hath risen her light to lend;
But indistinctly may be kenned
The VANGUARD, following close behind,
Sails spread, as if to catch the wind!

Thy wife and child are snug and warm, Thy ship will travel without harm ;

I like," said Benjamin, "her shape and stature; And this of mine, this bulky creature

Of which I have the steering,

Seen fairly, is not much amiss!

this,

We want your streamers, friend, you know;

But altogether, as we go,

We make a kind of handsome show!

Among these hills, from first to last,
We've weathered many a furious blast;