Calm and serene he drives the furious blast

The Campaign by Joseph Addison. In some ways, this strikes the modern ear as nauseatingly sycophantic. But another way to look at this kind of poem is as a direct heir of Homer. There is much news and information captured and relayed to an audience in a fashion guaranteed to hold their attention and engage their interest. Beyond the facts, there are all sorts of soto voce cultural tropes and advisements such as this paeon to reflective self-control and engagement.

The dreadful burst of cannon rend the skies,
And all the thunder of the battle rise.
`Twas then great Marlborough`s mighty soul was prov`d,
That, in the shock of charging hosts unmov`d,

Amidst confusion, horror, and despair,
Examin`d all the dreadful scenes of war:
In peaceful thought the field of death survey`d,
To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid,
Inspir`d repuls`d battalions to engage,
And taught the doubtful battle where to rage.
So when an angel by divine command
With rising tempests shaks a guilty land,
Such as of late o`er pale Britannia past,

Calm and serene he drives the furious blast;
And, pleas`d th` Almighty`s orders to perform,
Rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm.