XXVII.

For years had past since great Britannia’s hand Made Earth and Ocean feel her trident stroke; And Trafalgár and San Vicente, fanned By Victory’s wing, no present terrors woke; Nor o’er the Deep her voice in thunder spoke, Since feeble councils numbed at home the arms, Which even thus paralysed Gaul’s legions broke; And but that patriot zeal the virgin warms, Had Famine crushed our men more dire than War’s alarms.