Adventurous mariner! in whose gray skiff,
Dashing disastrous o’ er the fretful wave,
The steersman, subject to each breeze’ s whiff,
Or blast capricious that o’ er seas doth rave,
Scarce turns his rudder from the fatal cliff,—
Scorning his craft or e’ en himself to save.
Ye Powers of air, that shift the seaman’ s grave,
Adjust the tackle of his right intent,
And bring him safely to the port he meant!
Long musing there on that divinity
Who to his hazard had assistance lent,
He verses cons, oft taken by surprise
In diverse meanings, and shrewd subtlety,
That pass quaint Donne, and even Shakespeare wise.