From his terrific gab and gape,

[Pg 12]

And that their gamb'ling, watery run

Was, now, alas, for ever done!

And as they, deep in ocean's ink,

Despairing, to the bottom sink,

O'erwhelm'd by that infernal sound,

They cast a gloomy gaze around,

And call'd on Neptune, sea-throned god,

To smite the rascal with his rod—

To pierce him with his trident spear,

And pitch him into hell to sear,

To stew, and fry, in Satan's dish,

For frightening thus, poor harmless fish.

But Neptune, monarch of the main,

With scorn contempt'ous and disdain,

Look'd down on Park's lugubrious rhyme,

And hasten'd o'er the boiling brine;

Unheedful of the fishes' cry—

And left them, with Park's songs, to die!

 Prev. P 12/17 next