While some above the yard o’er-haul the tye,

Below, the down-haul tackle others ply;

Jears, lifts and brails, a seaman each attends,

And down the mast its mighty yard descends:

When lowered sufficient they securely brace,

And fix the rolling tackle in its place;

The reef-lines and their earings now prepared,

Mounting on pliant shrouds they man the yard:

Far on the extremes appear two able hands,

For no inferior skill this task demands.