Foresight and Art the prickly  boast,
To keep the Seas, and shun the rocky Coast.
When teeming Clouds the infant Tempest form,
And whisp'ring Winds concert the future Storm,
They careful fear, lest forc'd to distant Lands
They dash on Rocks, or bulge on rising Sands.
Too light themselves their Motions to control
When the tenth Billows o'er their Fellows roll,
They Ballast seek, with busy Eyes explore
The various Pebbles of the winding Shore,
Choose out the Stone, and with that steady Weight
Fixt on their Backs, the raging Waters meet.
Thus poiz'd they careless keep their destin'd Way,
Nor the rude Shock of thwarting Floods obey.