Henry King

Here you will find the Poem A salutation of his Majesties Ship the Soveraign of poet Henry King

A salutation of his Majesties Ship the Soveraign

Move on thou floating Trophee built to fame! 
And bid her trump spread thy Majestick name; 
That the blew Tritons, and those petty Gods 
Which sport themselves upon the dancing floods, 
May bow as to their Neptune, when they feel 
The awful pressure of thy potent keel. 
Great wonder of the time! whose form unites, 
In one aspect two warring opposites, 
Delight and horrour; and in them portends 
Diff'ring events both to thy foes and friends: 
To these thy radiant brow, Peaces bright Shrine, 
Doth like that golden Constellation shine, 
Which guides the Sea man with auspicious beams, 
Safe and unshipwrackt through the troubled streams. 
But, as a blazing Meteor, to those 
It doth ostents of blood and death disclose. 
For thy rich Decks lighten like Heavens fires, 
To usher forth the thunder of thy Tires. 
O never may cross wind, or swelling wave 
Conspire to make the treach'rous sands thy grave: 
Nor envious rocks in their white foamy laugh 
Rejoyce to wear thy losses Epitaph. 
But may the smoothest, most successful gales 
Distend thy sheet, and wing thy flying sailes: 
That all designes which must on thee embark, 
May be securely plac't as in the Ark. 
May'st thou, where ere thy streamers shall display, 
Enforce the bold disputers to obey: 
That they whose pens are sharper then their swords, 
May yield in fact what they deny'd in words. 
Thus when th' amazed world our Seas shall see 
Shut from Usurpers, to their own Lord free, 
Thou may'st returning from the conquer'd Main, 
With thine own Triumphs be crown'd Soveraign.