, is surprised by the
entrance of Aristides, who informs him that the Persian fleet had
completely surrounded them. Themistocles tells him that this was
effected by a device of his own, to prevent the Greeks from
deserting the Straits, and sends him to Eurybiades, calls a council
in the morning, in which it is resolved to attack the enemy, and
the whole fleet move forward in order of battle.--Scene, the
Grecian camp on the sea-shore of Salamis."

The first Canto thus opens--

Now darkness over all her veil had spread,
Save where the moon her feeble lustre shed,
When from the clouds emerging, her dim ray
Mock'd the effulgence of the lucid day.
Stretch'd on their beds, the Greeks in soft repose
Awhile forgot their harass'd country's woes.
Themistocles alone awake remain'd,
By his anxiety from sleep restrain'd;
Although the chief with labour was opprest,
His care for Greece withheld his wonted rest.
For three long hours, all had been still around,
At length he hears (or thinks he hears) a sound;
He starts, and sees a stately form advance,
Clad in bright arms, and with a shining lance,
And by the moon's faint beams, the chief descried
A Persian sabre glittering at his side.

Here follows the "Argument of Canto II--

"Mardonius is surprised by the noise of the Greeks advancing, and
the hostile fleet appearing, the ships move forward to meet
them.--Lycomedes takes the first galley, and consecrates the spoils
to Apollo.--The acts of Eurybiades, Mardonius, and
Themistocles.--Aristides and Lycomedes landing in the Isle of
Psyttalia, destroy a number of Persians stationed there, at sight
of which, part of the Persian fleet gives way.--Ariamenes
endeavouring to rally them, is slain.--At his death the rest of the
Persians fly. The Greeks pursue them to the Attic shore, and obtain
a complete victory, which concludes the Poem."

The whole poem shows a mind thoroughly imbued with Grecian history, and
the action is conceived and described with considerable spirit. There
are a few lame verses, here and there, but scarcely a single puerile
conceit; while a perusal of the entire contents of these records of a
gifted child, is calculated to surprise, by the great extent of reading
displayed by its writer, and the ease and precision with which he brings
it to bear upon his subject.