Yonder fair Commerce stretch'd her winged sail,
Here frown'd the God that wakes the living gale.
High o'er the poop the flattering winds unfurl'd
The imperial flag that rules the watery world. 840
Deep blushing armors all the tops invest,
And warlike trophies either quarter dress'd;
Then tower'd the masts, the canvas swell'd on high,
And waving streamers floated in the sky.
Thus the rich vessel moves in trim array,
Like some fair virgin on her bridal day;
Thus, like a swan, she cleaved the watery plain,
The pride and wonder of the AEgean main.


[Footnote 1: 'The youngest:' Falconer himself.]

[Footnote 2: 'Mournful prospects crown'd,' &c.: these remarks allude to
the ever-memorable siege of Candia, which was taken from the Venetians
by the Turks in 1669; being then considered as impregnable, and esteemed
the most formidable fortress in the universe.]

[Footnote 3: 'Windlass:' the windlass is a sort of large roller, used to
wind in the cable, or heave up the anchor. It is turned about
vertically, by a number of long bars or levers; in which operation it is
prevented from recoiling, by the 'pauls,' ver. 701.]

[Footnote 4: 'Ship they tow:' towing is the operation of drawing a ship
forward by means of ropes, extending from her fore-part to one or more
of the boats rowing before her.]