But while dread Elliott shakes the Midland wave, They strive in vain the Calpian rock to brave.

Book VII. Line 89.

The English general Elliott commanded the post of Gibraltar, against which the combined forces of France and Spain made a vigorous but fruitless attack in the year 1781. This attack furnished the subjects for two celebrated pictures alluded to in the eighth book: The burning of the Floating Batteries painted by Copley; and The Sortie, painted by Trumbull.