And the boldest held his breath,
For a time....
So accustomed, indeed, are we mere landsmen to the exploits of the Navy on the High Seas that we easily forget it was once to our forefathers a novelty and a wonder—such a wonder as might be compared with the fabulous Castles in Spain or the Gardens of Babylon, as the old nameless poet of the following lines recounts:
Cease now the talke of wonders! nothing rare
Of floateing ilandes, castles in the aire!
Of wooden walls, graves walkeing, flieing steedes,
Or Trojan horse! The present truth exceeds
Those ancient fables; floating iles great store,
Sent from the British Ile, now guard her shore,
And castles strong without foundation stande