NAUTICAL ODES, 
 
 OR 
 
 POETICAL, SKETCHES, 
 
 DESIGNED TO 
 
 COMMEMORATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BRITISH MAVY. 
 
 IJueyccKuv 5' ai'hKwv 
 
 Moio-ci (jLifjivxtx^ect (pihsi. Pindar. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 JPtiuteO tp to. Wilfim, 
 
 ST. Peter's hill, doctors' commons; 
 
 AND SOLD BY E. AND T. WILLIA^fS, NO. 11, IN THE STRAND, 
 
 AND NO. 136, LEADENHALL - STREET. 
 
 M D C C C I. 
 
 ^/ > 
 
■^^ Vjl 
 

 DEDICATIOJ^. 
 
 TO THE 
 
 HONOURABLE GEORGE LORD VISCOUNT GARLIES, 
 
 CAPTAIN OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP HUSSAR. 
 My LORD, 
 
 Descended from the House of 
 Darnley, and allied to the ancient Dukes of Lennox, under 
 whose auspices, as Lords Admirals, a considerable portion of the 
 British coast was long protected against the depredations of pi- 
 rates, and the incursions of enemies, you have a kind of inherent 
 right to a distinguished share in whatever concerns the fame and 
 national honours acquired by the valour and intrepidity of the 
 British Navy. Your gallant achievements, at a youthful period 
 of life, have excited the admiration and secured the approbation 
 of the best judges of naval merit, and given a pleasing presage of 
 future eminence, and professional excellence. These uncultivated 
 flowers, collected on maritime grounds (and intended to decorate 
 the protectors of their country), may, under the shade of your 
 rising merits notwithstanding their perishable nature, have some 
 
 A 2 
 
 833 
 
iv DEDICATION. 
 
 chance of escaping for a time the violent heat of prejudice, and 
 the malignant blasts of criticism. 
 
 The enterprizes of our naval heroes, in the course of the 
 present arduous contest, stand unrivalled. No one can contem- 
 plate, without astonishment, the magnitude of their services, or 
 the splendour of their fame. It must be admitted that so much 
 merit deserves crowns of honour ; and, on such an occasion, it is 
 not possible to be indifferent to the satisfaction of being permitted 
 to form the chaplets. These triumphal wreaths may be formed 
 without skill, and be composed of ill-chosen materials, but they 
 will be regarded as of some value, if found to be honoured with 
 your patronage, and designed to grace the brows of conquerors 
 in the cause of Justice, of Religion, and Humanity ; and if they 
 confer no adequate reward on the gallant officers, whose splen- 
 did victories they are intended to celebrate, they afford some gra- 
 tification to a heart that, in spite of all the agitation of political 
 tempests, owns the magnetic influence of the love of its countr}% 
 points invariably to the tried and venerable institutions of our 
 pious and virtuous ancestors, and, amidst its alarms, for the public 
 welfare, cannot but feel its oblig'ations to the valorous and suc- 
 cessful Commanders, who have repressed the audacity of the 
 Enemy, and added to the safety of the State. 
 
 In the hour of danger, the most inconsiderate of the Ship's 
 Company cannot remain long insensible of tlieir perilous situation, 
 nor ignorant of their obligations to those whose dexterity and whose 
 
DEDICATION. V 
 
 intrepidity extricate them from their distress, and preserve the 
 vessel from destruction. If they be not incapable of reflection, 
 they cannot remain long devoid of gratitude to their enterpriz- 
 ing Benefactors, nor to Heaven who blesses their benevolent 
 efforts with success : and benefits so important and so forcibly 
 felt, it is natural gratefully to own, and publicly to acknowledge. 
 
 Conscious of your private worth, and patriotic spirit, and 
 of the sacrifices you have made for the defence of established or- 
 der, and the good of your Country, a mind aware of the value, 
 at this aweful period, of virtuous and disinterested examples in 
 elevated stations, cannot but exult in an opportunity of giving 
 this public testimony of esteem and regard, and of avowing with 
 how much respect and attachment he feels himself to be. 
 
 My lord. 
 
 Your Lordship's 
 
 Most obedient, and most 
 
 Faithful humble Servant, 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Ps^ 37, line 17, for wliere*s, read where. 
 
 43, 18, /or and John, read and Sir John. 
 
 56, 6, Note, ^br Furcae Caudin, rtaJ Furcae Caudinee. 
 
 92, 25, Note, for Teueri, read Teucri. 
 
 139» 17, for Swearing, read Sneering, &c 
 
COjYTEJ^TS. 
 
 OPage. 
 
 DE to the Memory of Admiral Lord Hawke — — — 1 
 
 On Lord Rodney's Action with the Spanish Fleet, January 14, 1779 — 6 
 
 On Lord Rodney's Action with the French Fleet, jij>ril 12, 1 779 — — 9 
 
 Ode to the Memory of Admiral Lord Rodney ' — — — — 14 
 
 On the Treatment of French Prisoners in England ; supposed to be written by a French 
 
 Citizen — •— - — — — — — — 17 
 
 On the brave Conduct of Captain Ougur of the Revenge Privateer — — 20 
 
 On Earl Howe's Engagement with the i^r^wc^ Fleet, June\, 1794 — — 22 
 Ode to the Memory of Captain R. Faulknor, of the Blanche Frigate, who was killed in 
 
 Battle — — — — — — — — 27 
 
 On Lord Hotham's Action with the French Fleet of? Genoa, March 14, 1795 — 30 
 
 On Lord Bridport's Action with the /?ewcA Fleet, jfune^S, 1795 — — 33 
 Elegiac Ode on the Death of Mr. Archibald Stewart, Son of the Honourable Admiral 
 
 Keith Stewart, who was drowned ^ww 24, 1793 — — — 35 
 Ode by a French Citizen, on the Successes of the Squadrons under the Command of 
 
 Sir John Borlase Warren, Sir Edward Pellew, &c. on the Coast of France — 39 
 A Remonstrance, addressed by a French Citizen to Captain Sir H. Trollope, on his 
 
 audacity in beating eight French Men of War with a single British Ship — 45 
 Ode to the Memory of Captain Strangeways, of the Marines, who was mortally wounded 
 
 in Captain Sir H. Trollope's Action, jfuly 16, 1796 — — — 49 
 Ode to the Memory of the Hon. Capt. W. Paget, Son to the Earl of Oxbridge, who died 
 
 in consequence of a Wound he received in. taking the French Ship of War La Sylille 51, 
 
 On Admiral Lord Keith's Victory in Saldanha-Bay, August 17, 1796 — 53 
 
 On Earl St. Vincent's celebrated Victory over the Spanish Fleet, Fehruary 14, 1797 56 
 To Captain Lord Viscount Garlics, on his Bravery in advancing within Pistol-shot of a 
 
 Battery, and silencing it - — - — — — _::_ q^ 
 
 On the memorable and decisive Victory gained by Lord Duncan over the Dutch Fleet 67 
 Ode to the Memory of Captain Hood, of his Majesty's Ship, Mars, who was killed in 
 
 Ac\ion With. t\it French SMiT^, Hercules, April 2\, I798 — — — 74 
 
Vm CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 On Lieutenant Price's Defence of the ZfZe o/"Jliarfo«, ik/iz)' 7, 1798 — — 77 
 
 On Admiral Lord Nelson's glorious Victory ovei' jthe French Fleet off the Mouth of the 
 
 mU — — •— — — — __— . 81 
 
 On Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren's Victory over the French Fleet off the Coast of 
 
 Ireland, October 12, 1798 •— — — — — — 91 
 
 On Sir Sidney Smith's gallant and unprecedented Defence of St. John De Acre — Q7 
 
 On Lieutenant Burke's Achievement in Bournauf-Bay — — — 102 
 
 On Captain Sir E. Hamilton's boarding and cutting out the Hennione out of Forto Car- 
 
 vallo, with a very inferior Force — — — — — 105 
 
 On Captain Campbell's boarding the Desire'e in Dunkirk Roads, July 8, 1800 — 108 
 
 A Consolatory Address to the French Nation, on the Loss of the Le Cerhere of 7 Guns, 
 
 and 87 Men, taken by Acting Lieutenant Coghlan, and 12 Men — — 111 
 
 Ode on a Telegraph, carried away in the Night, by a Party of English Sailors, from the 
 
 Coast of France — — — — — — — 116 
 
 Substance of a Letter from the Minister of Marine, giving an Account of the excellent 
 
 state of the French Fleet, which it was hoped would not be taken by the English, as it 
 
 was guarded by Land Batteries, about 3000 Cannons, &c. — — — 120 
 
 Ode on a late extraordinary Imprisonment of British Seamen. The Northern Confederacy 
 
 against the English, &c. — — — — — — 122 
 
 TALES. 
 
 The fatal Tendency of Inebriety. William and Susan — The lamented Death of William 126 
 
 The Absurdity of profane Swearing. History of Ben the Boatswain — — 130 
 
 Observation of Sunday at Sea. Story of Edward — his exemplary Conduct— fatal accident 
 
 which swept away a whole Boat load of his thoughtless Companions — 135 
 
 The dreadful Consequence of Mutiny and Disobedience. The Rewards of Fidelity — 
 
 Story of Barrington the noted Convict — — — — — 1 40 
 
 The Dangers and Dishonour that attend Desertion. Story of Henry and Sigismund— or 
 
 the golden Chain and wooden Leg — — — — — 144 
 
 The dangerous tendency of Incoritinence and illicit Amours. Story of a monied, but de- 
 luded Seaman — — — — — — — 146 
 
 Elegy on the Death of the Honourable Samuel Barrington, Admiral of the White \5% 
 
NAUTICAL ODES, 
 
 A PIJ^DARIC ODE 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OF 
 
 ADMIRAL LORD IIAWKE. 
 
 ARGUMENT* 
 
 Description of the * Grecian mode of singing the ancient ode, ivhere the Strophe 
 was' sung as they moved round the altar one way, </ie Antistrophe as they re- 
 turned the other, and the Epode while they stood still before the altar ; the general 
 subject of the ancient ode, Gratitude, to the Deity for the benefits bestowed on 
 man. Propriety of appearing still grateful to heaven for the protection accorded 
 us in the hour of danger, and the extraordinary talents bestowed 07i great men td 
 answer the exigencies of the moment. Remarkable instance of this in Lord 
 Hawke. a short account of four of the most celebrated professional actions 
 of his life. Gratitude. The thanks of his country delivered to him by the Speaker 
 of the Houfe of Commo7is. Lord Hawke's answer. 
 
 A] 
 
 STROPHE 1. 
 
 XL in costly vests array 'd. 
 Moving round the hallow'd shrine, 
 Of old the sacred bands were seen, 
 Chaunting, with august parade. 
 Praises to some pow'r divine 
 That patroniz'd the solemn scene ; 
 
 * Vide Preface to West's Pindar. 
 B 
 
2 
 
 Now their mellow notes subsiding 
 Full, majestic, slow, and deep ; 
 
 Now on swift-wing'd numbers riding, 
 High, and great, the clouds they sweep ; 
 
 While the vast temple's roofs around. 
 
 Melodiously return the sound* 
 
 ANTISTROPHE i. 
 
 Now measuring with their sacred train. 
 The pleasing circle back again. 
 
 On the floor their feet rebounding. 
 
 True to ev'ry cadence beat ; 
 While the vocal dome resounding. 
 Seems to feel each tuneful feat ; 
 W^hile the dulcet pipe is fill'd 
 By some master's artful breath. 
 And soft hands gently touch the lyre. 
 Sweet airs thro' the heart are thrill'd. 
 And of a hard, pleasing, death. 
 The hearer wond'ring seems t'expire. 
 
 EPODE 1. 
 ** What is man, and what his worth ? 
 " Creature of a transient hour ! 
 " A flow'r that, as it blows, decays ! 
 " Nourifh'd, for a while, on earth, 
 " By a heav'nly unseen Pow'r, 
 " That guides and guards him all his days ! 
 " Ungrateful worm, and shall his mouth 
 " Refuse the poor return of truth ? 
 
" Ev'n the birds of air delighted, 
 
 " Praise the pow'r that finds them food ; 
 " And in grateful songs united 
 
 " Censure man in ev'ry wood." 
 STROPHE 2. 
 Such in awful fanes of old 
 
 Were the numbers that were heard. 
 As Gratitude inspir'd the lay ; 
 
 When rapt Bards sublime and bold 
 
 Pictur'd truth as it appear'd. 
 Nor fear'd the scoffer of the day. 
 On the viper sophist treading, 
 
 Whose cold nature seems to hate 
 Pow'rs that blessings round them spreading 
 
 Man's soul love to elevate, 
 And bid it relish here below 
 The pleasures that the blest must know. 
 
 ANTISTROPHE 2. 
 And such should still our condu6l prove, 
 E'er grateful to that Pow'r above. 
 That when kindl'd by our vices. 
 
 War's fires rage with all their force. 
 Sends us warriors with devices. 
 
 And with hearts to stop their course. 
 Such as gallant Hawke designed, 
 (Spite of parties that deform 
 Our realm) all our foes' pride to low'r ; 
 Who, when they appear'd, the wind 
 Ne'er quarrell'd with, nor the storm, 
 Nor fear'd an enemy's lee shore, 
 
 B 2 
 
EPODE 2. 
 But the troubl'd ocean o'er. 
 Like a meteor through the air. 
 He shone where'er a foe appear'd ; 
 Rushing with resistless pow'r. 
 
 Quick, and ardent, bright, and fair. 
 He made all tremble w^here he steer'd ; 
 E*en ^Lestock's dark line with his rays 
 Illumining in early days ; 
 
 And d'Etendieres squadron hailing, 
 As Columbia's isles they sought, 
 Hawke with his fire spoil'd their sailing. 
 While his light brought most to port. 
 STROPHE 3. 
 Now his glaring light he shed. 
 
 Where the foe in Basque roads lay. 
 Full of some treach'rous dark design, 
 Seiz'd with paralizing dread, 
 At the sight they scour'd away. 
 As fiends retire from forms divine ; 
 And when Conflans seem'd preparing 
 Legions England's realm t' enslave, 
 Hawke, shoals, rocks, and tempests daring 
 Came, and whelm'd them in the wave ; 
 While some, to mock th' invader's boast, 
 He brought, as captives, to our coast. 
 
 ANTISTROPHE 3. 
 The British Senate, grateful, cried, 
 " Our thanks such services betide, 
 
 ^ Vide Collins's Peerage, ypK viii, p. 319> &c. 
 
" You returning *= home victorious, 
 
 " Find your countrymen applaud 
 ** All your actions great and glorious, 
 
 " That their vaunting foes o'er aw'd, 
 " Foes that our destruction sought, 
 
 " You in dreadful storms subdu'd, 
 " And terror thro' their harbours spread ; 
 " Now the realm (to safety brought 
 
 " By the bright paths you pursu'd) 
 " Pours heart-born honours on your head." 
 
 EPODE 3. 
 Sweetest incense, thanks, aspire 
 
 From the heart, their shrine, to heav'n. 
 And to the virtuous and the good, 
 Tho' they no return desire 
 
 For the good things done or giv'n. 
 Sweet is the voice of gratitude ; 
 
 And so felt brave Hawke, valour's child. 
 And thus replied in accents mild : 
 " I my king and country loving, 
 
 " Claim no thanks for duties due ; 
 " Yet I feel, in your approving, 
 
 ** Honours lasting, great^ and true." 
 
 ^ Vide Smollett's History of England. 
 
O D E II. 
 
 IN JHE:M0IIY of lord RODNEY'S ACTION 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 SPANISH ADMIRAL, DON JUAN DE LANGARA, 
 
 During a Storm, on the Night of the \ ^th of Jajiuary, 1779, 
 
 xchen, out of eleven Spanish Ships of the Line, four zvere 
 
 taken, two zvere lost by tempestuous JVeather, and one 
 
 blezc up during the Engageinent -, the other four 
 
 escaped to Cadiz in a xery shattered Condition. 
 
 I. 
 
 JJARK is the night, and rough the storm, 
 
 And rough the troubled seas appear ; 
 While to the skies, which clouds deform. 
 
 Their heads the foaming surges rear ; 
 But neither waves, nor winds that sweep. 
 The surgy surface of the deep ; 
 Nor night, to the Spanifh bands appear 
 So awful as the voice they hear. 
 
 II. 
 'Tis Rodney, hailing thro' the gloom 
 
 That bids submit their timid bands. 
 And least delay should change their doom, 
 
 A broadside seconds his commands ; 
 Some panic-struck, attempt to fly. 
 Some chuse by rocks, or waves, to die ; 
 Some would thro* ev'ry peril pass. 
 Rather than fearless Rodney face. 
 
III. 
 
 Full on the shore the billows break. 
 
 Where huge rocks roughen all the coast. 
 
 Here many a ship, a shapeless wreck. 
 Beats, by the madd'ning tempest tost ; 
 
 No more the helm the pilot guides. 
 
 Authority no more presides. 
 
 The crews try wildly to retire 
 
 From the storm's rage, and Rodney's fire. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Loud the waves roar, the winds are loud. 
 Loud are the seamen's cries, and shrill. 
 
 The thunder 's loud that bursts the cloud. 
 But Rodney's thunder's louder still ; 
 
 Some with faint hearts as duty calls. 
 
 Try for a while to face his balls. 
 
 But soon resistance proves in vain. 
 
 Who can face Britons on the main ? 
 
 V. 
 
 'Tis now a dismal silence all. 
 
 As if the foes his fire dislike ; ^' hr?A. 
 
 While Rodney 's loudly heard to call, 
 
 " Why this dull silence, do ye strike?"'^ 
 
 i The night being dark, it was impossible to see whether they had struck their 
 flag ; but the English fleet being close to the Spanish, an ofiicer, on finding the 
 Spaniards had ceased firing, asked them whether they had struck ? when a feeble 
 voice from the shrouds answered — " Yes, mercy on us, we poor Spaniards have 
 " struck." 
 
Shrill from the flirouds a feeble cry, 
 
 Trembling attempts a faint reply, 
 
 " Yes, mercy on our wayward luck, 
 
 " We poor trounc'd Spaniards long have struck." 
 
 VI. 
 
 The day appears, the Spanifh shore, 
 
 That witnefs'd many a British feat, 
 Sees its proud squadron now no more. 
 
 Or sees it captur'd, maul'd, and beat. 
 And shudders at th' events of night. 
 The havock of the storm and fight ; 
 But storms and Rodney's ire are o'er, 
 And shipwreck'd Spaniards reach the shore ; 
 
 VII. 
 
 They paint the horrors of the night, 
 
 How the storm rag'd, how dark the fkies, 
 
 How fierce the English are in fight. 
 
 How light'ning flash'd from Rodney's eyes ; . 
 
 Then as he fails along they show 
 
 Four of their captur'd fleet in tow; 
 
 And swear his absence cheaply bought, 
 
 Tho' ALL had his protection sought. 
 
o 
 
 ODE III. 
 
 ON RODNEY'S VICTORY, 
 
 APRIL 12, 1779. 
 I. I. 
 
 BLIVION, thy wide wasting surge. 
 
 Sweeping all obje6ls from the earth. 
 To Lethe's stream shall never urge 
 
 The mem'ry of the brave's acknowledg'd worth ; 
 On some event that grac'd the life 
 Of the prais'd hero in the martial strife. 
 The Mufe shall seize with happy rage. 
 
 Shall snatch it from thy wasteful wave. 
 And bid her numbers teach a future age. 
 
 To venerate the brave; 
 Valour, the fond poetic theme. 
 Shall never on Oblivion's stream 
 
 Be doom'd to float, while to the skies 
 
 The Muse on soaring wings can rise. 
 
 I. 2. 
 For ev'n the merits of a foe, 
 
 Preserv'd by her impartial fire. 
 Shall live, as nations Turnus know. 
 
 While his worth's chaunted to the Mantuan lyre- 
 Britons, 'twas excellently done 
 With hospitality, misfortune's son 
 To feaft and mitigate his woes. 
 
 What tho' subdu'd and captur'd he ! 
 Enlighten'd spirits know to succour foes 
 
 And feel their destiny. 
 
10 
 
 The brave demand the brave's esteem, 
 
 The gen'rous for the gen'rous plead. 
 The bold, their bold opponents deem 
 
 Worthy of hospitable aid. 
 
 I 3 
 
 Unjustly censur'd by thy friends. 
 
 By thy own countrymen abus'd. 
 Thy foe, DE Grass E, thy worth commends. 
 
 And owns the martial arts thy prudence us'd. 
 Two of thy ships « in danger seen, 
 Their consorts bravely intervene 
 
 To save them from th' assailants* fire, 
 The hostile ships oppos'd to these 
 , Charge thy whole squadron by degrees. 
 
 Thy skill and care thy foes admire. 
 For as the tide of battle swells. 
 
 And as the varying torrent flows. 
 Thy valour, thy rous'd spirit tells. 
 
 Thy skilfulness thy conduft shows. 
 
 JI. 1. 
 
 But tho' thy foes thy valour own. 
 
 Could it e'er equal Rodney's might? 
 Hector as well, tho' dauntless known, 
 
 Might to the combat Peleus' son invite ; 
 Still noble deeds the contest grac'd. 
 Close to thy matchless adversary plac'd, 
 
 e The engagement was brought on by Lord Rodney's sending two of his ships to 
 engage the enemy 's disabled ships ; the French Admiral sent others to protect them, 
 and thus brought on a general action. Vide Collinses Peerage, Article , Rodney, 
 Annual Register for the Year 1779* ^c. 
 
11 
 
 Thou unsupported, and alone. 
 
 His fiery deluges didst bear 
 From morn to eve beneath the torrid zone. 
 
 While mountains shook with fear 
 To hear the thunder of that day, 
 
 When sunken rocks withdrew with dread. 
 And Ocean trembling at the fray. 
 
 In caverns sought to hide its head. 
 
 II. 2. 
 
 Full fourscore seasons had he brav'd 
 
 The summer's heat, the winter's cold. 
 And, while his warlike hand he wav'd, 
 
 A thund'ring blow for ev'ry year he told. 
 
 And blow for blow for ev'ry year. 
 Thou didst return, or resolutely bear. 
 
 Till he collefting all his force 
 The eightieth thund'ring charge to fire, 
 
 (Thy strength enfeebled in the battle's course.) 
 Thou could*st no more respire, 
 But by superior prowess press'd 
 
 Thy heart soon felt a captive's fate. 
 While thy successful foe confess'd 
 
 Thee skilful, valorous, and great. 
 
 II. 3. 
 
 In open fight, in honour's cause. 
 
 To vanquish brave and skilful foes, 
 Must gain well merited applause. 
 
 And crown with lasting wreaths the vigor's brows ; 
 Such honours Rodney's conquest gain. 
 While captur'd squadrons swell his train 
 
 C 2 
 
12 
 
 The ship that, Paris, bore thy name,* 
 Itself a mount, it's crew a host, 
 The Gallic navy's frequent boast. 
 
 And now the conqu'ror's well earn'd claim. 
 The ships whose names to mind recall 
 The g champion of the golden fleece. 
 The ^' Romans' boast before their fall. 
 And ' Heftor, once the dread of Greece. 
 
 III. 1. 
 And many a captur'd ship beside 
 
 Increas'd the triumph of the day, 
 And serv'd to lessen Gallia's pride, 
 
 And Rodney's martial merit to display. 
 While some to ^ ocean's caverns bore 
 Marks of their fear, and his resistless pow'r, 
 And some disabl'd from the fight 
 
 Retir'd in terror and dismay 
 To hide their baffl'd barks from Rodney's sight 
 
 In some well shelter'd bay. 
 But Hood these fugitives pursues. 
 And some he readily subdues. 
 And some he leaves to Gaul to steer. 
 The tidings of the day to bear. 
 
 III. 2. 
 
 The chiefs and ministers they chuse. 
 Wise captains shew, and prudent kings. 
 
 While as fair Fame their deeds pursues. 
 
 The world with shouts of acclamation rings, 
 
 *" Ville dc Paris. ^ Jason. ** Le Caton, Le Caesar. * Le Hector, 
 
 k L' Ardent, &c. sunk. 
 
13 
 
 Thus chiefs in Rodney's line were found, 
 
 Whose matchless deeds thro' all the world resound. 
 
 Hood, whose brave conduct once derang'd, 
 
 (Although his combatants were few) 
 The foe's whole fleet, their destination chang'd, 
 
 And frustrated their view, 
 Affleck, whose firmness, and whose skill, 
 Is oft the seaman's wonder still, 
 And Drake, whose ancestor of old. 
 Made all Spain tremble for her gold. 
 
 III. 3. 
 
 But what can victory avail 
 
 Where Heav'n no gratitude receives ? 
 The victor's flatt'ring prospers fail. 
 
 The promis'd fruit his hope deceives. 
 The tow'ring ships that from the foe. 
 Triumphant Robney took in tow. 
 
 Awhile his ostentations boast. 
 He homeward sends his deeds to show. 
 But while the liquid plain they plough. 
 
 Tempests arise ^ and all are lost ; 
 And the brave men who shar'd the fight. 
 
 Are in the dear bought prizes drown'd; 
 Unthinking man, how vain thy might! 
 
 Unless with Heav'n's protection crown'd. 
 
 * The Ville de Paris, and several of the prizes, were lost in a huricane in the course 
 of their voyage to England ; and the brave British seamen who were qn board of them, 
 and who had assisted in taking them, perished in them. 
 
A 
 
 ODE IV. 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OF 
 
 ADMIRAL LORD RODNEY. 
 I. 
 
 Tow'ring mountain tipp'd with snow. 
 
 Slowly moves o*er the grumbling waves. 
 It's broad base loads the deep below. 
 
 The fkies it's lofty summit cleaves. 
 It's ample fhade embrowns the main. 
 And winter's snow, and summer's rain. 
 And hail, and mist, and drizzling dews 
 
 Congeal and swell it's awful form. 
 The mariner with terror views 
 
 It's bright parts glist'ning in a ftorm. 
 And dreads a lee-shore, while the tides 
 Rise with vast force, and thunder from it's sides. 
 
 II. 
 
 Not with less terror England's foes, 
 
 View'd Rodney riding o'er the main. 
 His ag'd head silver'd o'er with snows, 
 
 And beat by many a ftorm in vain ; 
 For well found fleets when he appear'd. 
 As if they certain shipwreck fear'd. 
 Would bear away in hafle, and dread 
 
 To come in contact with a foe 
 At sea like an old ice-hill bred. 
 
 Whose years but bade his force to grow. 
 
15 
 
 And who, matur'd by age, would sweep 
 Whole squadrons from the surface of the deep. 
 
 III. 
 
 Columbia, graceless, rais'd her hand \ 
 
 Against her parent's fost'ring pow'r, 
 When weaker councils rul'd the land. 
 
 In dim ey'd age's doating hour. 
 Ungrateful France, th' ungrateful aids. 
 And ocean with her squadron shades, 
 Iberia fans her bigot flame. 
 
 And slow Bat A VI A led by gain 
 Conspires to crush the British name, 
 
 And clear from British fleets the main ; 
 But their united squadrons fled. 
 When Rodney frown'd and fliook his hoary head. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Columbia heard her torrid isles 
 
 Re echo Rodney's well-known name. 
 When Gallia found that all her wiles, 
 
 Serv'd but to swell his envied fame, 
 While Afric's sable coast might tell 
 How vain Iberia's squadron fell;' 
 Justice, how awful is thy reign ? 
 
 Gallia by parricidal hands 
 Was torn, while Holland bled and Spain 
 
 And the world scourg'd at Heav'n's commands 
 Own'd the sea safe through Rodney's pow'r. 
 While factious traitors ruin'd all on shore. 
 
16 
 
 V. 
 
 But how precarious is the fame. 
 
 Mortals by all their toils acquire ! 
 What notice ice-form'd iflands claim, 
 
 First seen ! but soon their pow'rs expire. 
 And all their beauties fade away, 
 When shewn the sun's more southern ray, 
 And Time that domes destroys and tow'rs. 
 
 And levels cities with the ground. 
 May in a few short fleeting hours. 
 
 Bid Rodney's fame be no where found ; 
 Unless the Muse's patriot aim. 
 Cast everlasting lustre round his name. 
 
 VI. 
 
 But ah ! how vain the glorious views. 
 
 Of th' heart that for it's country bleeds ! 
 How vain the labours of the Muse ! 
 
 How vain the hero's gallant deeds ! 
 The world oft changes, and it's praise 
 
 Is only well-mask'd Satire's lays. 
 And soon the world itself shall know. 
 
 Justice's retributing hand. 
 When wrapt in flames the globe shall glow. 
 
 And systems fall at her command. 
 While Piety and Virtue's names. 
 Shall ever live, cleans'd by the purging flames. 
 
ODE V. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The French National Assemlly having resolved, ^' That no quarter should be given 
 " to the English', and, that every British ship's company, which their cruizers 
 ** met with, should be put to death, and throivn into the sea." Several armed 
 vessels sailed from the ports of France, to put the National decree into Executioji. 
 The enterprixe jvas attended u'ith some difficulty ; for those rough islanders would 
 not tamely suffer themselves to be massacred ; and in the course of their exertions 
 in their oivn defence, they took several thousands of their enemies prisoners. They 
 disdained to retaliate upon th&m, but carried them to England, where they were 
 well lodged, and liberally fed. Exasperated at the triumphs of British gal- 
 lantry and humanity, the friends of the French encouraged some unprincipled 
 party writers to propagate malicious reports of the hardships and cruelties endured 
 by the citizens of France, in British prisons. The complaint occasioned an in- 
 vestigation of the subject ; it was carried on at Liverpool, and other places, by 
 some of the most respectable characters in the kingdom, and it was completely 
 proved that no prisoners of war had ever been treated with greater liberality, or 
 had met with more humane attention ; and that the poor writers, who under such 
 circumstances could be induced to spread reports of the hardships endured by 
 French prisoners, must have been as destitute of principles as they were devoid 
 of talents, and in some danger of being reduced to difficulties themselves. The 
 ode is supposed to have been ivrftten by a French citizen in an English prison, and 
 addressed to the Ministers in the Marine department at Paris. 
 
 I. 
 
 M. 
 
 -ORE laurels, Citizens, to gain. 
 We boldly ventur'd on the main, 
 
 Empow'rd by your decree 
 All English mariners we saw 
 To slay, agreeable to law. 
 
 Or throw them to the sea. 
 
18 
 
 11. 
 
 The first ship's company we found, 
 We told them they must all be drown'd, 
 / Or kill'd, as best might fit us; 
 Then valiantly began, of course. 
 To put your just decree in force. 
 But they would not permit us. 
 
 III. 
 
 For flying to their arms, like mad. 
 These inconsid'rate fellows had 
 
 The face to make resistance ; 
 And soon as e.'er we fir'd a gun. 
 They all appear 'd to like. the fun. 
 
 And would not keep their distance, 
 
 IV. 
 
 But with loud cheers they came so close. 
 And pour'd in such a pow'rful dose 
 
 Of shot, both barr'd and round ; 
 That our poor ship look'd like a sieve. 
 And we were tempted to believe. 
 
 We should be kill'd or drown'd. 
 
 V. 
 
 Perceiving, Citizens, at length. 
 
 You had not furnish'd us with strength 
 
 To execute your laws ; 
 And they their doses pouring still. 
 We judg'd it (much against our will) 
 
 Best to give up the cause. 
 
19 
 
 VI. 
 
 And so, we, in our wisdom thought 
 Our vessels homeward to have brought, 
 
 But they would not allow us ; 
 For they their boats prepar'd to man. 
 And, spite of all our threats, began 
 
 To their own ports to tow us ; 
 
 VII. 
 
 Arriv'd, they would not drown nor kill us. 
 But tried with those good things to fill us. 
 
 Of which we 'd no conception : 
 For visitors, as Europe knows, ' 
 
 Whether they 're pris'ners, friends, or foes. 
 
 Have here, a warm reception. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 While huge sirloins of fat roast beef. 
 Profusely brought for our relief. 
 
 We at our ease were carving ; 
 Asham'd such treatment to receive. 
 We tried to make the world believe 
 
 We were in dungeons starving. 
 
 IX. 
 
 These well-design'd reports to spread 
 We made hir'd writers take the lead. 
 
 But they turn'd out such elves ; 
 That their strange tales of our distress 
 Serv'd but to make their readers guess. 
 
 The rogues might starve themselves. 
 
 D 2 
 
ODE VI. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Captain Ougur, of the Revenge Privateer, having attempted to cut out a vessel 
 from a Spanish port, he and his boat's creiv were driven on shore, in tempestuous 
 weather, and made prisoners ; he, however, effected his escape, got to Oporto, and 
 joined the Revenge. Three Spanish privateers ivere jilted out to take him ; he en- 
 gaged one of them, which caught fire in action and blew up ; the fate of the first, 
 put the other two to flight. The Revenge now ranged along the Spanish coast 
 uncontrouled, and took several valuable prizes, a list of which is given in the 
 Naval Magazine, No. xv. p. 43, &c. 
 
 I. 
 
 c 
 
 'OURAGE, like love, will have its course, 
 'Tis hard to conquer it by force. 
 
 And harder still to chain it ; 
 For having been.inur'd to wars, 
 It laughs at doors, and bolts, and bars — 
 
 What prisons can restrain it ? 
 
 IL 
 
 Thus tho' Iberia's sons turn'd jailers. 
 To guard imprison'd British sailors. 
 
 They soon contriv'd to foil them ; 
 And getting out to sea again. 
 Of all their shipping scour'd the main. 
 
 Trying to take or spoil them. 
 
 III. 
 
 Three pow'rful ships the Dons equip. 
 To sweep these rovers from the deep. 
 
 Or ask for satisfaction. 
 The first ship challenges her foes. 
 But with her soon the English close 
 
 And blow her up in action. 
 
21 
 
 IV. 
 
 The other two soon shew their rear. 
 Each seeming, by her haste, to fear, 
 
 The English would be at her ; 
 Tho' each seem'd large enough, alone. 
 To run the English vessel down. 
 
 Or blow her out of water. 
 
 V. 
 
 But, dear Dons, fret not at the sight. 
 Have not you seen your bulls in fight. 
 
 When a fine bull-dog bangs one ; 
 How th' others snort, and trot away. 
 Lest having won, o'er one, the day. 
 
 He them might fix his fangs on ? 
 
 VI 
 
 Now the brave Britons rule the roast. 
 Range all along the Spanish coast. 
 
 With OuGua at their head ; 
 Spain's men of war at pleasure rake. 
 And all their prizes from them take. 
 
 And terrorround them spread. 
 
 VII. 
 What's to be done, in such a case. 
 When you have, from a daring race, 
 
 A wound, and none can cure it ? 
 The same thing must be done again. 
 That's said, was often done in Spain, 
 
 What 's that ? why — to endure it. 
 
ODE VII. 
 
 ON EARL HOWE'S ENGAGEMENT, 
 
 June I ^ 1794. 
 f 
 
 AKGUMENT. 
 
 The English fleet, consisting of twenty-flve ships of the line, xvas partially engaged, 
 for tii'o days, with tlie French fleet of iwenty-flx ships of the line. The third 
 day, the English admiral, in the Queen Charlotte, Iroke throvgh the enemy's 
 line in a superior style, and was fallowed ly most of the fleet. As all the 
 energy of the Rcpullic had been exerted to equip the French fleet, this memoralle 
 "' victory is surpassed by none that had hitherto been recorded in the British 
 annals. But this celebrated victotry is so ivell known that it needs no description, 
 and SQ brilliant that it requires no encomium. 
 
 I. 1. 
 
 OHORT is the life of man, and short the date 
 
 Of all the Fame by gen'rous bravery won, 
 A thousand ills promote the views of fate. 
 And shorten life ere it is well begun ; 
 The random ball in early years, 
 Extinguishes the hop'd-for joy 
 Of many a well-born val'rous boy. 
 And calls forth all his mother's tears ; 
 And fortune oft deserts the brave. 
 Bids one disastrous error blot 
 The fame by years of labour got. 
 And sinks the censured warrior to the grave ; 
 "While his name 's lost, or nothing but the Muse can save. 
 
 * His Majesty has been pleased to order, that a gold medal and chain should be 
 presented to each of the flag officers, and a gold medal to each of the captains, re- 
 ported by Earl Howe to have particularly signalized themselves in the engagement. 
 Vide Steele's List of the Royal Navy, &c. — One of the French officers taken prisoner 
 observed, that no seamen in the world had displayed more courage than the l* rench 
 sailors had shewn that day, — " Except, 1 sujipiise {replied a British officer) the seamen 
 " who conquered them. " 
 
23 
 
 I. 2. 
 
 Thrice happy Howe's increasing years beheld. 
 
 His well-acquir'd fame increase as fast. 
 His life's late hours no gloomy shadows yield. 
 His sun shines out resplendent to the last ; 
 While fortune smiles on all his days, 
 Bids what his youth had toil'd to sow 
 To a luxuriant harvest grow 
 And glad his age with heart-felt praise ; 
 Fortune ? 'tis Providence that tries. 
 Immortal spirits here on earth. 
 By deeds that serve to shew their worth ; 
 Then, when mature, exalts them to the skies. 
 While heav'n-taught songs their triumphs eternize. 
 
 I. 3. 
 Triumphs of mortal men !!f a Sovereign Hand 
 
 Their progress checks, or guides to nobler ends, 
 They are but arms to pierce a guilty land. 
 To humble vice, or succour virtue's friends ; 
 When Gallia reek'd with royal gore, 
 ' And vow'd that Britain's sons should bleed. 
 
 Who dar'd to blame her murd'rous deed. 
 And scorn rebellion's ill-gain'd pow'r. 
 When now she bade her navy steer 
 To Albion's coast, and spare no age. 
 But satiate her vindictive rage 
 On all that seem'd to loyal Britons dear; 
 Kind heav'n taught Howe to arm, and stop her bold career. 
 
24 
 
 II. 1. 
 
 Two summer suns behold his noble deeds. 
 
 And the wild efforts of his daring foes. 
 While many a youth, and many a vet'ran bleeds, 
 To either side the source of boundless woes ; 
 The third sun 's hardly seen to shine 
 Ere his brave ship to end the fray. 
 To conquest nobly leads the way. 
 And thunders thro' the hostile line ; 
 Gallia's stunn'd warriors stand aghast ! 
 Nor hear their leaders' vain commands. 
 Nor feel their disciplining hands. 
 But eye their shiver'd yards, their falling mast, 
 And the huge wrecks Howe's fire deals round at ev'ry blast! 
 
 11. 2. 
 
 Where thro' the line the thund'ring hero leads. 
 
 Ships urge on ships, and press the breach to gain. 
 Billows on billows thus thro' leaks succeed, 
 And plunge the found'ring vessel in the main ; 
 Not more tremendous peals resound 
 
 When thunder storms from heav'n descend. 
 And ocean's deepest caverns rend. 
 And shake th'astonish'd world around; 
 Not more in vain the sailor's art, 
 When hurricanes resistless sweep 
 From the earth's heart the troubled deep. 
 While oft whole planks, as seas burst o'er them, start. 
 And at each roll the ship asunder seems to part. 
 
25 
 
 II. 3. 
 
 Ambition promising unconquer'd crowns. 
 
 But pale with dread at mad Sedition's ways ; 
 Smooth Flattery, and Anger, rough with frowns. 
 And sly Deceit, still prodigal of praise, 
 And Infidelity half blind. 
 
 Barbarity with blood-stain'd hands. 
 Stiff Pride abundant in commands,' 
 And Folly fickle as the wind, 
 Conceit with looks of deep disdain. 
 Fierce Anarchy, and Riot wild. 
 And Sophism murderously mild. 
 In form like leaders of the Gallic train, 
 Try to urge on their palsied crews, but try in vain, 
 
 III 1. 
 
 In matchless order how those clouds advance. 
 
 Tremendous scene ! who can its terrors bear ? 
 Athwart the gloom what frequent flashes glance. 
 How deeply British thunder wounds the ear ! 
 How loud its repercussive roar ! 
 Volcanos no such masses throw. 
 Nor, with a fire so wasteful glow. 
 Who can withstand its pow'r ? 
 What desolation marks its way. 
 
 With wrecks the waves are cover'd o'er. 
 And stain'd with streams of Gallic gore. 
 Earth trembles, as if shudd'ring at the fray. 
 While vast dense sheets of smoke involve the face of day. 
 
26 
 
 III. 2. 
 
 Callia, is all thy boasted wisdom fled. 
 
 All thy skill vanished, all thy brav'ry gone ? 
 Where's the clear light thy wise reformers shed ? 
 Where the fine theories thy Sophists spun ? 
 Can nothing bear thy ships away. 
 
 Or save them from the deathful show'rs, 
 That oak-ribb'd fleet profusely pours ; 
 Or shew thro' British fire the way ? 
 Two tow'ring vessels disappear. 
 
 The third a wreck, and found'ring lies, 
 How the crews' loud shrieks pierce the skies ! 
 But Britons pity, tho' they do not fear, 
 They spare their fallen foes, and to their succour steer. 
 
 III. 3. 
 
 Old England hastes her valiant sons to meet. 
 Prepares the laurel for triumphant Howe ; 
 And sees with transport her returning fleet. 
 With seven proud vessels of the foe in tow. 
 What joy, like quick electric fire. 
 
 Is spread around from breast to breast ! 
 While some indulge the sprightly jest. 
 And some the ear with long tales tire. 
 And some with loud shouts rend the air, 
 While bells in jovial peals ring round. 
 And pipes, and drums, and guns resound ; 
 And ev'ry window blazes, and the fair. 
 With kind looks, glad the brave for all the toils of war. 
 
ODE VIII. 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OP 
 
 CAPTAIN R. FAULKNOR, 
 
 OF THE BLANCHE Frigate, of 32 Guns, 
 
 W^ho was killed^ January 6, 1795, in an Action^ in the West 
 Indies, with the La Pique, of 38 Guns^ while he 
 was lashing the Enemy's Bowsprit to his 
 Mast, The Enemy's Ship was after- 
 wards taken by his Ship's Company. 
 
 I. 
 
 W HY weeps the Muse, why those round tears. 
 That, falhng, lave her heaving breast ? 
 
 Can sad tales wound celestial ears ? 
 Can pity ruffle heav'nly rest ? 
 
 Can sympathy for mortal woes. 
 
 Damp th' immortal fire that glows 
 
 To feed the blaze of peerless bliss. 
 
 In those bright worlds where no event 's amiss ? 
 
 II. 
 
 See on the deck where Faulknor lies, 
 Faulknor the friendly and the brave. 
 
 Who ne'er despis'd affliction's cries, 
 Nor fear'd a foe, or stormy wave ; 
 
 Whose hand, (devoted to his Friend 
 
 Or to assist, or to defend) 
 
 Acted but as his heart or eyes 
 
 Or felt, or pictur'd sacred honour's ties. 
 
 £ 2 
 
28 
 
 III. 
 
 That once lov'd visage wan and pale. 
 
 And stiff and cold those once prompt hands. 
 
 And deaf those ears that Pity's tale 
 Found never deaf to her commands ; 
 
 Those eyes that wept at others* woe. 
 
 Now bidding others' sorrows flow ; 
 
 And the warm heart, once honour's host. 
 
 Now hard in death, and all its feelings lost ! 
 
 IV. 
 
 Around with folded hands the crew 
 
 Look their ineffable distress, 
 And grieve that he no more can view 
 
 Their skill in fight, or their ° success ; 
 He but a few short moments past, 
 Lash'd the foe's bowsprit to the mast; 
 And bade a much superior force. 
 Or strike, or wait the tide of battle's course. 
 
 ■ The two vessels having separated towards the close of the action, and the boats 
 of tht Blanche being shot to pieces, David Milne, the second lieutenant, it is said, 
 jumped into the sea, and, with his cutlass in his mouth, swam to take possession of 
 the La Pique ; his example was followed by ten British sailors, and they brought her 
 to port. Every man on board the Blanche^ in this action, proved himself a hero. 
 Such acts of valour in Greek or Roman story would have been long admired, and 
 deservedly celebrated, David, now Captain, Milne, has nobly observed the hint : 
 
 " — — — Servetur ad imum 
 
 *' Qualis ab incepto." Hor. 
 
 He has since, August 22, 1800, in the Seine, of 42 guns, taken a French ship, the 
 Vengeance, of 52 guns, an action not inferior to the gallant exploit of the Blanche^ 
 with the pleasing difference, that the brave Captain survived the engagement. 
 
29 
 
 " ' V. 
 
 The foe's ball pierc*d his manly breast, 
 Just as his ship's crew gain'd the day, 
 Much were their honest hearts distress'd. 
 
 That Victory so long should stay, 
 " For had she us'd more speed," they cried, 
 " She had been here before he died." 
 But let his fall cause no alarms. 
 For Vict'ry receiv'd him in her arms ! 
 
 VI. 
 
 Short is the voyage of our lives. 
 
 And if the trip be worth the pains ; 
 That vessel most advantage gives. 
 
 That first the destin'd harbour gains ; 
 And here where worth is oft distress'd, 
 ° He 's the best man whose life 's the best ; 
 And who, when heav'n demands his breath. 
 Obeys, and dies an honourable death. 
 
 " Quam bene vivas, non quam diu, refert. Senec. Epist. 101. 
 
 " Enlarge my life with multitude of days, 
 " In health, in sickness, thus the suppliant prays ; 
 '* Hides from himself his state, and shuns to know, 
 '* That life protracted, is protracted woe." Johnson. 
 
ODE IX. 
 
 ADMIRAL LORD HOTHAM's ACTION 
 
 r 
 
 WITH THE . y 
 
 FRENCH FLEET OFF GENOA, 
 
 March 14, 1795. 
 
 Force of the French, sLvteen Ships of the Line ; Force of the 
 English, fifteen. 
 
 The English Admiral, xcith great Skill and Brareri/, bi^oke 
 
 through their Line, took two Ships, the Ca ira oj 80 Qims, 
 
 and the Censeur o/" 74 Guns, and obliged the Rest of 
 
 their Fleet, in a xiery shattered Condition, to 
 
 seek for Shelter in their oxen Harbours. 
 
 I. 
 
 JrlOTHAM, accept the tributary lay, 
 
 Due to that valour and consummate art 
 That bade Gaul's squadron, baffl'd, bear away, 
 Glad with diminish'd numbers to depart. 
 Glad, borne by the fav'ring wind, 
 Along the surge's trackless path. 
 In some contiguous port to find 
 
 A shelter from the tempest of thy wrath ; 
 And as a sacrifice to leave. 
 
 On the sea's undulated shrine 
 T' appease the Pow'r that rules the wave. 
 Two of the bravest warriors in its line. 
 
31 
 
 n. 
 
 And Gaul her baffl'd squadron happy deem'd. 
 
 That thus escap'd thy desolating ire, 
 And her remaining floating forts redeem 'd, 
 For such a ransom, from thy wasteful fire, 
 p Wrapt in fierce flames the victim falls 
 
 And dark and terrible, as night. 
 The smoke ascends, and Pity calls 
 
 In vain for aid, and sickens at the sight ; 
 And Gaul thus hopes the wrath appeas'd 
 
 That round brave hearts like light'ning glows. 
 And Britons bears, with furor seiz'd. 
 Like thunder on their dissipated foefs. 
 
 ni. 
 
 But rough as thunder in the storm of fight 
 Tho' Britain's naval combatants appear, 
 Gentle and brilliant as celestial light. 
 
 They prove when enemies confess their fear. 
 When vanquish'd hosts their arms resign. 
 
 Then ev*ry gen'rous art is tried 
 To soothe the chieftains that repine 
 
 At the sad change of Fortune's varying tide ; 
 Then the dread arm that grasps the spear 
 
 Strives to relieve the wounded foe. 
 Or gently wipes the falling tear 
 
 That tells the hapless widow'd ftranger's woe. 
 
 f The Ca ira was burnt after she was brought to an English harbour. 
 
32 
 
 IV. 
 
 HoTHAM, to thee the 'J Gallic chief resigns 
 
 His sword, while anguish o'er his frame 's difFus'd, 
 Th' unwilling gift thy gen'rous heart declines. 
 And bids him wear what he had nobly us'd ; 
 Surpriz'd, the shining gift he shews. 
 
 And while his eyes with forrow weep, 
 Admits his own troops felt its use, 
 
 Gaul's fear-ftruck warriors to their arms to keep. 
 And then how Britons to their guns 
 
 Are made to stand, he fain would ask, 
 " That 's joy," 'tis faid, " to Britain's sons, 
 
 " To drive them from them were the arduous task." 
 
 ' ** When the surviving first officer of a line of battle ship, taken in an action between 
 the French fleet in the Mediterranean, and the British fleet under Admiral Hotham, 
 had, some days afterwards, his sword returned to him, he congratulated himself upon 
 receiving it, and at the same time observed, that he had been obliged to thrust that 
 sword through the bodies of several of his seamen, to make the remainder stand to 
 their guns : he, at the same time, asked the first lieutenant of the Admiral's ship, 
 on board of which the Frenchman was prisoner, how the English officers contrived 
 to keep their men to their guns?" — *' We have no necessity to keep them to their 
 guns, (replied the lieutenant), for the d — 1 himself could not drive them from them."— 
 Naval Chronicle y No. xxii. p. 228. 
 
O D E X. 
 
 ON LORD BRIDPORT's ACTION 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 FRENCH FLEET OFF L'ORIENT, 
 
 June 23, 1795, 
 
 When the British Admiral gave Chace instead of losing Time in 
 forming his Line, and, though the Enemy were superior in 
 Numbers, took thi^ee of their line of battle Ships. Pro- 
 fessional Men [peak highly of the Spirit and naval 
 Knoxdedge he discovered on that Occasion^ 
 
 I. 
 
 VV HEN Gallia's vanquish'd squadron own'd 
 
 Hotham's known skill and naval pow'r, 
 Throwing her pond'rous ruins round, 
 
 When the tow'ring ship that bore 
 "Alcide's name, in thunder lost. 
 Shook all Gallia's southern coast. 
 Her northern shore with terror shook 
 ' At Bridport's warlike presence struck. 
 
 ' One of the ships in the enemy's rear caught fire three times, but the flames were 
 extinguished, and she was taken possession of by the officers of one of the ships in 
 Lord Bridport's fleet. 
 
 * L^Alcide, a French seventy-four gun ship, struck to Admiral Lord Hotham's 
 fleet, in the summer of 1795> in the Mediterranean, but blew up before she could 
 be taken possession of. Only three hundred of her crew were saved. 
 
 F 
 
34 
 
 II. 
 
 Soon as the Gallic fleet appeared, 
 
 Bridport, impatient for the chace. 
 Gaily his fleet pursuers cheer'd. 
 
 And bade them^ course the timid race. 
 Keenly they urge the flymg game 
 Their rear with its own speed on flame 
 Is thrice observ'd, and thrice the fire 
 Abates, as valour's pow'rs respire. 
 
 III. 
 Terror, with madd'ning looks and wild, 
 
 And pale and paraliz'd Dismay ; 
 Temerity, Despair's weak child. 
 
 And Rout in horrid disarray. 
 Among the flying fleet are seen. 
 Troubling still more the troubl'd scene. 
 And rend'ring, as their arts they us'd. 
 Confusion's self still more confus'd. 
 
 IV. 
 
 But the pursuers' skill and speed, 
 
 No art, no swiftness, can elude. 
 Beneath their force the hindmost bleed 
 
 Of the scar'd quarry they pursu'd ; 
 Three bulky captives crown the chace, 
 The rest of the tumultuous race. 
 In holes along their native shore. 
 Shake at the British thunder's roar. 
 
ODE XI. 
 
 The Subject of the mixed Elegiac Kind ; 
 
 The Character and Death of 
 
 MR. ARCHIBALD K. STEWART,' 
 
 Son of the late Honorable Admiral Keith Stewart. 
 
 Mysterious Heav'n ! what is man ? 
 
 What is life ? how short a span ! 
 
 What are infants ? flow'rs that grow ! 
 
 And then die before they blow ; 
 
 What is youth ! tho' fair and gay, 5 
 
 Porcelain, or painted clay. 
 
 Source of pride to-day, to-morrow 
 
 Source of grief, and heart-felt sorrow. 
 
 Now by ev'ry eye admir'd, 
 
 Now its fancied charms expir'd, 10 
 
 Clay once more, deform'd and plain. 
 
 Mixing with the earth again. 
 
 Archibald, in youthful days. 
 
 How thy form excited praise ! 
 
 How the tongue of Complaisance ij 
 
 Tried each excellence t' enhance ; 
 
 Hid within thy wat'ry tomb. 
 
 Flattery itself is dumb. 
 
 * He was a youth of great perfonal beauty and uncommon merit (for his years), 
 and was Midshipman on board of his Majesty's ship the Queen. Letting himself 
 down over the ship's side, from curiosity, to observe how the carpenters flopped the 
 shot-holes after the action of the 23d of June, 1795, he missed his hold, and was 
 drowned, to the great regret of all who knew him. He had hardly attained to his 
 twelfth year. See an account of Lord Bridport's victory, and of this fatal accident, 
 in the Naval Chronicle. 
 
 F 2 
 
36 
 
 Then how charm'd each friend appear'd, 
 
 And what civil things were heard : 20 
 
 " Dark his eye, and light his hair, 
 
 " Red his youthful cheek and fair, 
 
 " While his mild but manly face, 
 
 " Spoke him of the Stewart race ; 
 
 " And the fire his looks express'd, 25 
 
 " Told the valour of his breast ; 
 
 " Valour that must show the fire, 
 
 " Found so brilliant in his sire, 
 
 " Better fruit his mind could shew, 
 
 " Than in riper judgements grew, 30 
 
 «* Then his form, what grace and ease 1 
 
 " How, in due time, it must please ; 
 . " Ripe, that fruit may well delight, 
 
 " Now, so pleasing to the sight.'* 
 Such the praises heard in youth, 3^ 
 
 Such the song in every mouth. 
 Death, or fell Misfortune's force. 
 Changes soon this tone, of course. 
 And no wonder, when we find 
 
 Parents bear them not in mind ; 40 
 
 Their love growing, (such their way), 
 Colder than their children's clay. 
 
 He, regretted youth, had prov'd. 
 
 How the din of arms he lov'd ; 
 
 He the battle's rage had seen, 4^ 
 
 And had fac'd with dauntless mien. 
 
 And had giv'n observing eyes 
 ^ Proofs (that struck them with surprize,) 
 
37 , • 
 
 Of fire, and contempt of fears. 
 
 And of gifts beyond his years ; 50 
 
 He had seen old warriors fall. 
 
 Yet had 'scap'd the flying ball : 
 
 Thus while lightening with its strokes. 
 
 Rifts and fells the tallest oaks. 
 
 In their shade a flow'r below ^^ 
 
 Lives, nor seems the storm to know. 
 Now escap'd the martial strife. 
 Fair the promises of life ! 
 Blest with youthful spirits, now 
 Years of pleasure he may know : 60 
 
 Blinded mortals ! Death's a guest 
 Wont to call when thought of least. 
 
 Now the battle o'er, 'tis found 
 Fit to probe each naval wound, 
 Where's the foe's balls near the flood, 65 
 
 Had transpierc'd the floating wood, 
 Fam'd professors try their art. 
 And immediate aid impart. 
 To the wounded parts apply 
 
 Prompt and proper remedy. 70 
 
 Curious youth, these arts to see, 
 (Thoughtless of his destiny,) 
 He clings to the vessel's side. 
 Pendant o'er the surgy tide. 
 
 Stoops to view the works below, . yr 
 
 And the process toils to know. 
 When his footing fails, and prone 
 On the foaming flood he 's thrown. 
 
58 
 
 Where he, as the surges sever, 
 Sinks, and disappears for ever. 80 
 
 - Thus, in air, a meteor glows, 
 
 Ev'ry moment brighter grows, 
 
 Promising a glorious day. 
 
 But at once it wings its way. 
 
 Falls in ocean, and expires, 85 
 
 Robb'd for ever of its fires. 
 Lovely youth, how sad thy lot, 
 Sav'd from battle's ruthless shot, 
 Sav'd where honours could be won. 
 Soon to iind thy setting sun ^O 
 
 Shorn by surges of its rays. 
 And close glory-less thy days. 
 
 Thus in early spring a flowV, 
 
 Growing fairer every hour. 
 
 Promising, should it remain, n^ 
 
 T' outshine all the flow'ry train. 
 
 While it 'scapes the thunder storm 
 
 The feet of accident deform. 
 
 And from where fair flow'rets grow 
 
 Hurl it to the stream below, joo 
 
 Where, the season's early boast. 
 
 By the circling eddy tost. 
 
 On the flood a moment lies. 
 
 Then decays, and, with'ring, dies. 
 
 Much lov'd Archibald, thy fate 105 
 
 *Midst this world's uncertain state 
 
 Oft shall cause a world of woe. 
 
 Oft shall bid our tears to flow. 
 
S9 
 
 And our comfort while we weep, 
 
 And the sun sets in the deep, no 
 
 And the next morn's seen again. 
 
 Blazing in th' etherial plain. 
 
 Shall be thus to hope thy rise. 
 
 And thy reign amidst the skies. 
 
 With rapt hosts that seem to be 115 
 
 Fair and innocent like thee. 
 
 ODE XII. 
 
 BY A FRENCH CITIZEN, 
 
 On the Successes of the fiying Squadrons under the Command of 
 
 Sir John Borlase Warren, Sir Richard Strachan, 
 
 Sir. Edward Pellew, Sir J. Saumarez, &c. 
 
 on the Coast of France. 
 
 L 
 
 xSrITONS, it is in vain to boast 
 The honours gain'd upon our coast, 
 
 Those honours are our own ; 
 For had not we, to raise your name, 
 Resolv'd to bear our share of shame. 
 
 Your fame had ne'er been known. 
 
40 
 
 II. 
 
 And when poor France by parties split 
 Imagin'd her "Re-union fit. 
 
 She kindly gave it up ; 
 That the promotion of the Knight , 
 
 Who shew'd such stratagems in fight. 
 
 No views of ours should stop. 
 
 III. 
 When on our ''Cleopatra's track. 
 Attracted by her flippant clack. 
 
 Your roving Pellew lighted 
 She most complaisantly struck. 
 Just to contribute to his luck. 
 
 And that he might be knighted. 
 
 IV. 
 
 And one French ship was so polite. 
 She meekly lower'd her flag in fight. 
 
 And ran herself on shore ; 
 That your poor wits who scribble plays. 
 Might in the >Arethusa's praise. 
 
 Make all the play-house roar. 
 
 V. 
 
 And when your Amazon began 
 
 Her commen|:s on the Rights of Man, 
 
 ■ La Re-union of 36 guns, taken by the Crescent of 36 guns, Capt. J. Saumarez, 
 ofF Cherbourg y October 20, 1793. 
 
 * La Cleopatra^ of 40 guns, taken by the La Nymph of 36 guns, Capt. E. Pellew, 
 
 off the 5/ari, June 19, 1793. 
 
 y See a popular Song called Arethusa, in the Entertainment of The Lock and Key. 
 
41 
 
 We bravely bore the shock. 
 That of 'Man's Right it might be said. 
 With Indefatigable aid 
 
 She fix'd it on a rock. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The fruit that near her native shore 
 For Warren our '•Pomona bore. 
 
 The ^Star that shed her hght 
 To add new lustre to his name. 
 All rose from France to swell his fame. 
 And shew his skill in fight. 
 
 VII. 
 Th' *^ Engaging gift that France bestow'd 
 To grace the Concord Strachan show'd, 
 
 The '^Laurel we prepar'd, 
 T' adorn Sir John's triumphant pate. 
 And the ''Three Colours sent of late 
 
 Sir Edward to reward. 
 
 * Man's Right, f Le Droits D' Homme J, a French 74 gun ship, was driven on 
 shore, on a rock, near the Penmarks, January 14, 1797, by the Indefatigable ^ of 
 44 guns, and the Atnaxon, of 38 guns. 
 
 * La Pomone, of 44 guns, taken by the FlorOf Sir John B. Warren, &c. 
 April 23, 1794. 
 
 •» The Star, (UEtoil), of 30 guns, taken by Sir J. B. Warren's squadron, on 
 the coast oi France, March 20, I796. 
 
 « VEngageante, a French ship of 38 guns, taken ^^nV 23, 1794, by the Co»<ro?^, 
 of 36 guns. Sir Richard Strachan. 
 
 <* The Le Jean Bart, (afterwards the Laurel), of 26 guns, taken by Sir J. B. 
 Warren's squadron, off Rochfort, April 15, 1795. 
 
 * Le Trois Couleurs, (the Three Colours) , taken by the Indefatigable y Sir E, Pel- 
 tEw, June 11, 1796. 
 
 G 
 
4^ 
 
 VIII. 
 
 And the 'Virginie thro* whose smoke 
 Pellew was heard to crack his joke. 
 
 And play upon our nation ; 
 The «Tribune form'd for Gauls to preach. 
 Near which, to make a Jlaming speech. 
 
 Sir Thomas took his station. 
 
 IX. 
 
 And many a costly gift beside 
 We sent you out with every tide. 
 
 While fav'ring breezes bore them ; 
 Which often, near their native land. 
 You blushless took with ready hand. 
 
 And never thank'd us for them. . 
 
 X. 
 
 And oft of heroes, a whole host, 
 Sail'd up and down along our coast. 
 
 By us not much molested ; 
 We seldom cop'd with blades so tough. 
 But hop'd, that when they had enough. 
 
 The gallants would have rested. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Instead of that, the more they took. 
 The more ships to their squadrons struck, 
 
 ' La Virginie of 44 guns, taken by the Indefatigable y Sir E. Pellew, April 25, 
 1796. 
 
 8 The Tribune, the Rostrum where the French orators held forth in the National 
 Assembly. The Tribune, of 44 guns, was taken, Jfune 7, 1796, after a very gallant 
 action, by the Unicorn, of 32 guns. Sir Thomas Williams. 
 
43 
 
 The more they still desir'd ; 
 Their breasts, as they more wealth obtain'd. 
 And as they added honours gain'd. 
 
 With nobler views seem*d fir'd. 
 
 XII. 
 
 And to encourage them in ill, 
 At home they were rewarded still. 
 
 And some of them be-knighted. 
 And some made Baronets, and Barons, 
 For having, with poor Frenchmen, Charon's 
 
 Well-loaded wherry freighted. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 But spite of all the boast they make 
 Of all the prizes that they take. 
 
 And Honour's copious show'rs ; 
 We were of all th' exhausdess source, 
 Then, by just inference of course. 
 
 The credit must be ours. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 The honours by ''Sir Richard won, 
 >Sir James, ''Sir Edward, and 'John, 
 
 *» Sir R. J. Strachan, Bart. "^ 
 
 * Sir J. Saumarez, Knt. Colonel of Marines. I ^°'* Captains in the 
 
 ^ Sir E. Pellew, Bart. J ^°5^^^ ^^^y* 
 
 ^ Sir J. B. Warren, Bart. K. B. Rear Admiral of the Blue. 
 
 G 2 
 
44 
 
 All flow from ""us, no doubt ; 
 As no man to distinction rose. 
 For having routed all his foes. 
 
 Who found no foes to rout, 
 
 XV. 
 
 And altho' they-their King may count 
 The source of honour's sacred fount. 
 
 We boldly must deny it ; 
 Each title that they toil for thus 
 Comes, ab origine, from us. 
 
 He only can apply it. 
 
 XVI. 
 For if a Frenchman well to beat. 
 Is deem'd so exquisite a feat. 
 
 That honour from it flows ; 
 How great must be the Frenchman's stock 
 Of honour, who thus honour's shock. 
 
 On all that switch him throws. 
 
 " The ancients make two several kinds 
 Of prowess in heroic minds. 
 The active and the passive val'ant ;. 
 Both which are pari libra gallant- 
 But in defeats the passive stout 
 Are always found to stand it out 
 Most desp'rately, and to out-do 
 The active, 'gainst a conqu'ring foe. Hudibras. 
 
ODE XIII. 
 
 A REMONSTRANCE, 
 
 Addressed by a French Citizen to Captain Sir H. Trollope, Knt, 
 
 for his Conduct in attacking, July 16, 1796, eight French 
 
 Ships of fFar, in the Glatton, of 54 Guns, some of them 
 
 nearly of "" equal Force with his awn Ship, and com- 
 
 pelling them to retire in the greatest Disorder, 
 
 and in a most shattered Condition ; and, 
 
 after a long Chace, to take shelter 
 
 in their own Harbours, 
 
 I. 
 
 X ROLLOPE, these are provoking tales 
 You spread, of having torn our sails. 
 
 And shot our ships to pieces ; 
 Supposing all these rumours true. 
 Is this a pretty thing to do. 
 To cause such loss as this is ? 
 
 II. 
 
 And is it gen'rous in a foe. 
 When our finances run so low. 
 
 To put us to such charges ? 
 That you in fight our ships should spoil 
 While we waste money time and toil 
 
 To mend these ships and barges ? 
 
 » The largest French ship carried 50 guns, and two of the frigates 36 guns each. 
 
46 
 
 III. 
 
 And then, consider, 'twas not fair. 
 You had but one ship to repair. 
 
 E'en had your ship been batter'd ; 
 While we our money must expend 
 Eight tatter'd ships at least to mend, 
 
 By you in battle batter'd. 
 
 IV. 
 
 In numbers, you th' advantage had, 
 
 For while their parts our eight ships play'd 
 
 1 hey often miss'd your bark ; 
 But you our eight ships could not miss. 
 For missing that, you gave it this. 
 
 So, always hit some mark. 
 
 V. 
 
 And then, in men too, what a chance ! 
 You had two thousand men from France, 
 
 To throw your balls ^mong ; 
 While you could not three hundred show 
 At whom our men could aim a blow. 
 
 Of course they oft aim'd wrong ; 
 
 VI. 
 
 As when you fire at gulls at sea ^ 
 
 A num'rous flock affords no plea 
 
 For throwing shot away ; 
 The poorest marksman, while they fall, 
 A brace, or so, at ev'ry ball. 
 
 May there his skill display. 
 
47 ■ 
 
 VII. 
 
 Besides, clear evidence is brought 
 
 They were not men with whom you fought, 
 
 But ° Tailors every one ; 
 And as they, when they form'd the Hne, 
 United, could not make up nine. 
 
 You could not beat one man. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 And that you beat them is not true. 
 As they alledge that they beat you, 
 
 p For where the fight 's a chace ; 
 And some their talents shew in flight. 
 And some pursue with all their might. 
 
 They beat, who win the race. 
 
 IX. 
 'Tis further stated by your foes, 
 You sing'd their shins, you came so close. 
 
 Which made their legs retire ; / 
 
 Thus tho' their hearts were brave, that day. 
 When their legs hurried them away. 
 
 How could they stand your fire ? ' 
 
 " A sea-term, implying inaptitude for the sea service ; the positive degree of which 
 is signified by the term Lubber, or Land-lubher, and the superlative by the word 
 Sheep ; an old gunner, on board a ship of war, was observed to weep bitterly in con- 
 sequence of his superior officer's calling him a Sheep, which he considered as the 
 highest possible indignity. 
 
 P For those who run from th' enemy 
 
 Engage them equally to fly ; - 
 
 And when the flight becomes a chace. 
 
 Those win the day that win the race. Hudibras, 
 
48 
 
 X. 
 
 No wonder, had you gain'd the day. 
 When you bore down in such a way 
 
 Before their guns would rattle ; 
 For they most feelingly complain 
 You hasten'd the first blow to gain. 
 
 Which is deem'd half the battle. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Besides, your *i ship had sail'd so far. 
 And seem'd as well for feats of war. 
 
 As navigation ready ; 
 While our poor ships would no commands 
 Obey, nor could our feeble hands 
 
 In battle keep them steady. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Your ship too 's form'd of such strange wood 
 That seems design'd to brave the flood 
 
 As well as fire and smoke ; 
 And all your men- appear so tough. 
 And made of such uncommon stuff. 
 
 They all seem hearts of oak. 
 
 <i The Glatton was built for the East In&a Company's service, and had made two 
 voyages to the East Indies. 
 
 -irv r"i 
 
ODE XIV. 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OF 
 
 CAPTAIN STRANGEWAYS, 
 OF THE MARINES, 
 
 Who was mortally wounded in Captain Trollope's memorable Action 
 with a whole Fleet of French Frigates \ 
 
 Dulce et decorum est pro patrid mori. Hor. 
 
 I. 
 
 OTRIKE, with a plaintive air, the lyre. 
 
 Let sorrow dwell on ev'ry note. 
 Such notes as when good men expire 
 
 On th' air from heav'nly voices float. 
 Torn from thy tenement of clay. 
 Where, mortal, wouldst thou wing thy way ? 
 Where are the mansions that must show. 
 Thy everlasting bliss, or woe ? 
 
 II. 
 
 Where shall a wand'ring spirit rove 
 
 Thro' unknown realms, and unknown spheres ? 
 
 What can his hopes, when dying, prove ? 
 What can allay his doubts and fears ? 
 
 ' Captain Strangeways, though faint with loss of blood, asked, with a smile, 
 and with seeming exultation, " if the enemy had not struck, if Captain Trollope 
 " had not gained the victory ?" Having had a tourniquet put on, he returned to the 
 ' deck, and continued there till, growing faint and weak. Captain Trollope ordered 
 him to be carried below ; some hopes were at first entertained of his life, but his 
 wound taking an unfavourable turn, he expired soon afterwards without a groan. 
 
 H 
 
50 
 
 Where the conscience 's calm and clear. 
 Angels to bliss the spirit bear ; 
 The brave who for their country die, 
 Hope they no mansions in the sky ? 
 
 III. 
 To him who resolutely treads 
 
 Honour and Virtue's arduous ways. 
 Death's a triumphal arch that leads 
 
 To glory and immortal ease ; 
 Thus when the 'Theban hero heard 
 His brave troops conquerors appear'd. 
 In death, he cried, " the joes hosts fly ? 
 " With joy, with ecstacy I die." 
 
 IV. 
 
 Thus bleeding in his country's cause 
 
 Strangeways exultingly expires. 
 And with well merited applause 
 
 From life's capricious stage retires ; 
 Now, when no more the fight he hears, 
 A rose on his pale cheek appears, 
 " And is the battle won ?" he cries. 
 Smiles in the arms of Fate, and dies. 
 
 * Trajectus hasta, sanguine, et spiritu deficiens, recreare se conantes, primum an 
 Clypeus suus salvus esset, deinde an perritus fusi hostes forent interrogavit. Quae 
 postquam ex animi sententia comperit. " Nunc enim vester Epaminondas nascitur 
 •* quia sic raoritur, &c." Valer. Max. lib. iii. cap. 2. 
 
ODE XV. 
 
 IN MEMORY OF THE 
 
 IIONOIIABLE CAPTAIN W. PAGET, 
 
 Son of the Earl of Uxbridge, 
 
 Wlio^ in his Mqjesty*s Ship Romney, attacked and took La Sybille, 
 
 a French Ship of 44 Guns, in the Harbour^ of Miconi, 171 the 
 
 Mediterranean, June 17,1 794, and died, some time sijicCi 
 
 in consequence, as was supposed, of a zvound 
 
 zvhich he had received in that Engagement. 
 
 I. 
 
 N. 
 
 OBLE youth, whose gallant deeds, 
 Britain, while her bosom bleeds. 
 With a mother's rapture tells. 
 And on thy martial pow'r dwells. 
 How thy worth shown in early days 
 Promis'd a rich return of praise. 
 How brilliant oft the morning sun appears, 
 'Till soon its splendour 's lost in clouds and show'ry tears ! 
 
 II. 
 When 'Miconi's awe-struck croud 
 Heard thy thunder near and loud, 
 
 t A Frencli ship being discovered at anchor, Captain Paget quitted a convoy which 
 he had under his protectioR, entered the harbour, hailed the Frenchman, and desired him 
 to strike his colours ; who replied, that " he knew his force, and was prepared for him." 
 Captain Paget bringing his guns to bear clear of the town of Miconi, and approaching 
 within pistol shot of the French ship, took her, after a well disputed action, in which the 
 French Captain, and a great number of his ship's company, were killed. See the Hon. 
 Captain Paget's Letter in the London Ga%ette, in which he modestly says very Jittle of 
 himself, and nothing of his wound. 
 
 H 2 
 
52 
 
 Fearful joys, and pleasing pains. 
 
 Thrilling ran thro' all their veins. 
 
 That the vaunting Gaul should feel 
 
 Thy just, thy patriotic zeal ; 
 
 That war*s resistless tempest should expose. 
 
 Merit like thine to cope with vain and worthless foes ! 
 
 III. 
 When the foe thy pow'r defied. 
 And the fate of battle tried. 
 When his boundless pride was lowVd, 
 By thy warlike skill o'erpow'r'd. 
 The grave Turk smil'd, as near the flood 
 The combat's fiery growth he view'd. 
 And much he Britain's naval prowess prais'd. 
 Soon higher in his thoughts by higher efforts rais'd : 
 
 IV. 
 
 But when of thy wound he heard, 
 
 Much he for thy safety fear'd, 
 
 Griev'd that battle's ruthless storm 
 
 Valour's flow'rs should thus deform. 
 
 And much he priz'd thy worth, and thought 
 
 Of victory too dearly bought. 
 
 Of youthful chiefs their envied country's boast, 
 
 Admir'd awhile, and lov'd, and then, for ever lost. 
 
 V. 
 
 But the wreaths young warriors gain 
 Why should tears of sorrow stain ? 
 Th' oldest in the lists of Fame, 
 Dead, have but a deathless n^me ! 
 
53 
 
 And, Paget, Fame shall crown thy shrine, 
 
 " Mona, the mother of thy line. 
 
 Shall sing thy worth to her enchanting lyres. 
 
 In the bold strain her bards immortaliz'd thy sires. 
 
 ODE XVI. 
 
 ON THE 
 
 SUCCESS OF THE SQUADRON 
 
 UNDER THE COMMAND OF 
 
 ADMIRAL LORD KEITH, 
 
 Who took a whole Fleet of Dutch Men of War, in the Bay of Sal- 
 
 danha, near the Cape of Good Hope, without f ring a Gun, 
 
 August 17, 1796. 
 
 I. 
 
 Majestic o'er Saldanha's flood 
 
 Slowly a martial figure rose , 
 
 Dispatching, as in arms she stood, 
 
 Despair, and Fear among her foes. 
 And in her hand a palm she bore 
 Undipp'd in blood, unstain'd with gore. 
 While the mark'd awe her looks command 
 Proves her mind pow'rful as her hand ; 
 
 " ilfo«a, i\it \At oi Anglesea, was regarded, anciently, as the principal residence 
 of the Druids, and of the British Bards. Vide Rowland^ s Mona Antiqua, Mason's 
 Caractacus, &c. The present Earl of Uxbridge is descended fi-om Sir Nicholas 
 Bayley, of Plasnewydd, in the county of Anglesea, Vide Collinses Peerage of 
 England, vol. vji. p. 18. 
 
j4 
 
 II. 
 
 Wing'd Victory, she leads along 
 
 The fav'rite candidate of Fame, 
 Who trac'd out the Batavian throng, 
 
 And came, and saw, and overcame! 
 The deep resources of whose mind 
 Drew from the barren waves and wind 
 Powers that could unnerve the foe. 
 And gain the day without a blow. 
 
 III. 
 
 Lash'd by the brawny arm of war 
 
 The steeds on human carnage fed 
 Whirl Victory's triumphant car 
 
 Oft o*er whole mountains of the dead ; 
 As when the Boaster fierce and vain 
 ''Bridg'd the mid-stream with heaps of slain, 
 Mark'd vLodi's victory with blood. 
 And stain 'd with his troop's gore the flood. ^ 
 
 IV. 
 
 But Elphinstone, with bloodless hands. 
 Built ^Victory's unspotted shrine. 
 
 And issued his supreme commands 
 With strength and energy divine, 
 
 * Bank the mid sea. Milton. 
 
 f There is little humxnity, whatever policy there may be, in persisting in the re- 
 solution of carrying a place coute qui coute, and in gaining a victory by sacrificing 
 half an army ; biit the number of men sacrificed to gain the pass of the Bridge of 
 Lodiy in the opinion of every humane man, must have tarnished the laurels even of 
 the conqueror of Itafy. 
 
 * The ships that surrendered by capitulation, on this occasion, were the Dordrecht, 
 of 64 guns, Hevolutie, of 64, Van Tromp, of 54, Caithor^ of 4i, BraavCy of 40, 
 BellonUy of 28, Sirency of 26, Havicky of 18, Marioy &c. This victory was as 
 
And foes and friends at once obey'd ; 
 To the dread pow'r their homage paid, 
 Hall'd Britons rulers of the wave. 
 And own'd them merciful as brave. 
 
 beneficial in its consequences as it was brilliant in its success. In point of utility to 
 the country, it exceeded the conquest made by the Samnites at the Furca Cau- 
 din, while it was not disgraced by the severity of making the captives pass under 
 the yoke. Liv. lib. iii. 1,2. At the period of the Roman Empire, when it was 
 customary to have medals struck in commemoration of their martial achievements, 
 such a victory would have been commemorated, perhaps, by a coin, having the head 
 of the conqueror on one side, and, on the reverse, the figure of Victory, winged, 
 with a palm in one hand, and a sword bearing a crown of olive in the other, with the 
 inscription VicxoaiA Saldanaca, &c. 
 
ODE XVII. 
 
 ON THE ^VICTORY OBTAINED BY 
 
 ADMIRAL EARL ST. VINCENT 
 
 OVER THE SPANISH FLEET, 
 
 February 14, 1797- 
 I. 1. 
 
 OLOWLY spreading o'er the main, 
 
 ^ Dusky clouds involve the sky, 
 Heav'n and earth are one again, 
 
 Wordly sights elude the eye, 
 Sailors o'er the trackless deep. 
 Their tried paths with caution keep. 
 No sun points which way to steer. 
 No kind light shews danger near. 
 Smooth are the seas, and hush the waves. 
 Scarcely the surge the ^foreship laves, 
 
 * The martial prudence and real patriotism which the noble Admiral discovered in 
 resolving, under the peeuUar circumstances of the war, in those seas, to run so great a 
 risk ; the intrepidity with which, at the head of so inconsiderable a force, he deter- 
 mined to attack a fleet nearly twice his number ; the address he displayed in forming 
 his little fleet in two lines, and the dexterity with which he broke through the enemy's 
 line of battle, and cut ofF one third of their number, place his Lordship's conduct, 
 on that occasion, not only beyond the reach of professional criticism, but above all 
 praise; major est otnni nan solum vituperatione , sed etiam laude. Jul. Scal. The 
 Battle oi Actium did not evince more martial talents than the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, 
 and the latter, in all probability, will become as celebrated in history as the former. 
 
 * " Involvere diem nimbi, et nox humida coelum 
 *' AbstuUt." ViRG. 
 
 ** And night, with sable clouds, involves the main." Dryden. 
 
 ' Strictly speaking, all the fore part of the ship, here, taken for the stem, or the part 
 of the prow immediately above the water. 
 
 Vide the word foreship, in Falconer^ s Nautical Dictionary. 
 
57 
 
 No signs of storms deform the sky, 
 
 But unknown dangers may be nigh, 
 
 For mortals know not what the fleeting hour 
 
 Has, ere it vanishes, of ills in store ; 
 
 The roughest rocks the calmest w^ater hides. 
 
 And stoutest ships are lost in smoothest tides. 
 
 I. 2. 
 
 Unperceiv'd by mortal eyes. 
 Blazing comets range the skies. 
 And from their noxious centres pour 
 On guilty worlds the pestilential show'r ; 
 And well-arm 'd fleets may often sweep. 
 In thickest haze, the surface of the deep. 
 Ere th' unfriendly pow'r 's perceiv'd. 
 
 Ere the wrath of Heaven's appeas'd. 
 Oft' the hostile blow 's receiv'd. 
 
 Or the hapless captive seiz'd ; 
 Unhappy man ! how oft he finds 
 More doleful ills from man, than from the winds ! 
 Oft the lone bark, and oft the trading fleet. 
 That know no tempests, and no dangers meet. 
 When the morn blushes, with surprize are found. 
 By an arm'd squadron threaten'd all around. 
 
 I. 3. 
 
 Saw you the flash that through the gloom appear'd. 
 It seem'd like lightening shooting thro' a cloud. 
 
 Hark ! o'er the waves a distant gun is heard ! 
 Some fleet approaching it proclaims aloud, 
 
58 
 
 Hark ! again, a bell the ear 
 Strikes, as if warlike ships were near ; 
 Now, through the haze, but faintly seen. 
 Broad satis seem moving o'er the scene, 
 Hiberia's colours smite the eye ! 
 N What frequent martial signals fly ! 
 
 How vast a squadron ! What portentous cloud 
 
 May hang o'er Britain's unsuspecting land, 
 Should such a navy, num'rous, pow'rful, proud. 
 
 Approach its shore, what could the foe w^ithstand ? 
 And with vain Gallia's boasted force combin'd ! 
 The thought-of danger harrows up the mind ! 
 
 11. 1. 
 
 But another fleet appears, 
 
 Britain's well-known flag it bears, 
 In silent order regularly bold. 
 
 Like old tried troops long disciplin'd to arms, 
 They win the way their war-proof chieftains hold, 
 
 Aw'd at no danger, scar'd at no alarms ; 
 No bells, no signal guns, disturb the ear. 
 
 But why that joy, that sparkles in their e}'es ? 
 Those light-wing'd barks that frequent tidings bear. 
 Have only whisper'd them the foe is near, 
 
 Heav'ns ! what a val'rous, dang'rous enterprize I 
 Forbear, undaunted fleet, to steer. 
 That daring course, a pow'rful squadron 's nigh. 
 
 Full ^ twice thy number, and full twice thy size. 
 At valour's danger, who but heaves a sigh ? 
 
 Who but weeps when a brave heart pierc'd, or captur'd lies ! 
 
 i The Spanish fleet were 27 ships of the line, and the British fleet only 15. But in weight 
 of metal, and number of men and guns, the Spanish Admiral had a still greater advantage. 
 
59 
 
 II. 2. 
 
 When misty clouds involve the fold. 
 
 And num'rous flocks at ease are found. 
 With youthful shepherds, arm'd and bold. 
 
 Guarding their fleecy care around. 
 Sudden from some impervious wood. 
 The yellow lion's dauntless brood 
 Spring o'er the fence at rage or hunger's call. 
 And dogs, sheep, shepherds, one disastrous carnage fall. 
 Such Hiberia's pow'rs appear'd. 
 No foes they saw, no danger fear'd. 
 While Pride oft told them that their arras. 
 Might guard against a host's alarms. 
 And now, in thought, old England's throne. 
 And all its riches, prove their own. 
 When sudden, thro' the gloom, the British fleet appears. 
 And rushing to the fight, awakens all their fears !!! 
 
 II. 3. 
 
 Discipline, thou hoary Pow'r, 
 
 That oft, the dark midnight hour 
 
 Hast, ''with fierce tempests, seen deform'd, 
 
 When seas have rag'd, and winds have storm'd. 
 
 When tho' long toss'd, the ocean'-s sport. 
 
 Thy skill has brought thy bark to port ; 
 
 That oft, in the cannon's mouth. 
 
 Hast shewn the head of age, and the prompt hand of youth. 
 
 And fac'd, unaw'd, a host of foes. 
 
 See ! how brave Britain's sons oppose 
 
 The furious foe, the raging wind, 
 
 Brav'ry must ever thy protection find ; 
 
 * Vide The Shipwreck, a Poem, by Falconer. 
 12 . ' 
 
60 
 
 O ! shed on Britain's sons thy skill. 
 Render them cool in danger still. 
 And grant them ever at Command, 
 The ready thought, the ready hand. 
 And make it to the wide world known, 
 The empire of the Main 's their own. 
 
 III. 1. 
 In form like brave St. Vincent seen. 
 
 The well-known Pow'r his skill displays, 
 Calms all the tumult of the scene, 
 
 And all impatient ardour stays ; 
 Then he gives the battle's plan. 
 Who close the rear, who lead the van ; 
 Then shews the foes in one long line 
 Three times the number of the nine ; 
 Not half the number are his force. 
 But he points out each vessel's course. 
 Forms in two lines his little fleet, 
 Which in the van precisely meet. 
 But open wider in the rear, 
 And like a well-form'd wedge appear ; 
 And then he bids the naval Phalanx move ; 
 Upborne by waves below, and wing'd by winds above. 
 And gives it matchless speed, and pow'r divine, 
 To reach, and penetrate, the hostile line. 
 
 III. 2. 
 
 With skill divine, athwart his line. 
 The well-form'd wedge is nobly driv'n. 
 
 And strikes the foe, an unseen blow. 
 Like a swift thunderbolt from heav'n ; 
 
61 
 
 And as the double lines move on. 
 They pour the British fire each way, 
 
 And scarce the foe knows what is done. 
 Ere his whole rear is fall'n a prey ; 
 
 f While their own fire's blazing light 
 
 Guides the Britons in the fight ; 
 
 But out their chief a signal throws. 
 
 The phalanx now a crescent grows. 
 
 Encloses and bears off the rear. 
 
 Where efive proud stately ships appear; 
 The foe amaz'd, and his long line curtail'd, 
 
 The nearest harbour nimbly seeks, with dread. 
 As a vast snake, by a bold swain assail'd, 
 
 Abridg'd and maim'd, hides in some hole its head. 
 
 ^ Some Citizens in the French Ambassador's suite at Madrid, were very severe in their 
 remarks on the conduct of the Spaniards on this occasion, when a Spanish officer, in his 
 own defence, laid the fault on the weather, and said, that some of their ships had abso- 
 lutely lost their way in the fog. — " Yes," replied a Frenchman, *' and, I suppose, 
 " the English Admiral found his, by the light of his own fire." 
 
 *• Though only four of the Spanish ships (two of them of 1 12 guns each) were carried 
 into port, a fifth, a first-rate man of war, was considered as, for some time, in the pos- 
 session of the English, but escaped, from the state of the weather, &c. Two of the ships 
 (one of them of 1 12 guns) were taken by Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K. B. A soldier 
 of the 69th Regiment, having broken the window of the upper quarter gallery of a first- 
 rate Spanish man of war, Admiral Nelson instantly jumped in, and was followed by a 
 great number ; he rushed in through the cabin, and though a great many shots were fired 
 at him from pistols, &c. he soon got on the quarter-deck, here the contest did not last 
 long, for the Spanish Commander approached the brave British Admiral, and, with a bow, 
 delivered up his sword ; his example was followed by all the other Spanish officers in suc- 
 cession. Admiral Nelson received their swords from them, and gave them to one of his 
 bargemen, who stood behind him ; the British seaman took them, and put them under 
 his arm, with the greatest sang froid. Vide Lord (then Sir Horatio) Nelson's Letter 
 on the subject, published in the Naval Chronicle ^ ^c. 
 
62 
 
 III. 3. 
 
 The victors now, in triumph tow 
 
 To port, the prizes of the day. 
 While nations hear, confess their fear. 
 
 And own brave Britain's naval sway ; 
 The vanquish'd, tho' more num'rous far, 
 
 Cover'd with awe in port remain, 
 ^ While daring them again to war. 
 
 The British squadron sweeps the main ; 
 His country round St. Vincent's brows, 
 Exultingly the laurel throws, d 
 " Many a son I've had," she says, 
 *' That spread from shore to shore my praise, 
 «* Some for coolness had their merit, 
 «' Some for skill, and some for spirit, 
 «« But wreaths my brave son are thy due, 
 <« For coolness, skill, and spirit too." 
 
ODE XVIII. 
 
 TO CAPTAIN LORD VISCOUNT GARLIES, 
 
 On his Bravery ^ in placing his Ship within half musket Shot of a 
 
 Battery^ and silencing it, in order to cover the Landing of' 
 
 the Troops tender the Command of Sir Charles 
 
 Grey, at Guadaloupe, April, 1794. 
 
 Xfv) |X£V viJ.va,(X(ii rov iakov, Pindar. 
 
 I. 
 
 X HE thunder of the Lion's mane. 
 
 Springing indignant on the foe. 
 His deep breast glowing with disdain. 
 
 His eyes that vivid light'ning show 
 His ardent heart that knows no fear. 
 All in his progeny appear 
 When first the forest-range they tread. 
 And horror and dismay around them spread. 
 
 II. 
 
 The terrors of the pond'rous beak, 
 
 The wide-spread wing that cleaves the air, 
 
 The ruffl'd plumage of the neck 
 When wildly rushing to the war, 
 
 h Admiral Earl St. Vincent, than whom there cannot surely be a better judofc of 
 naval merit, bore the following testimony to the excellency of Lord Garlies's conduct : 
 ** The grenadiers made good their landing in the Ance de Gosier, (Guadaloupe) , under 
 *' cover of the Winchelsea, Captain Lord Viscount Garlies, who acquitted himself 
 '* with great address and spirit on the occasion, although he received a bad contusion from 
 *' the fire of a battery, against which he placed his ship, in the good old way, within 
 ** half musket shot. He was the single person wounded of the army or navy." 
 
 Vide London Ga%ette, May 19, 1794. (Signed) J. Jervis. 
 
 *' This service (embarking the troops, &c. for the reduction of St. Lucia), was per- 
 •• formed with neatness and precision, under the direction of Lord Viscount Garlies." 
 
 London Ga%eUe, May 17, 1794. 
 
64 
 
 Mark the fierce Eagle's dauntless brood. 
 When first they own the thirst of blood. 
 When the pounc'd victim first they tear. 
 And bid the feather'd tribes confess their fear. 
 
 III. 
 When Caledonia's martial hords 
 
 Nor order own'd, nor laws obey'd, 
 Settl'd all questions with their swords, 
 
 Nor to their Monarch homage paid, ^ 
 
 The Stewart's skill calm'd all their strife, 
 Hush'd the rude storms of savage life. 
 Those virtues with precision show'd 
 That sooth'd the breast, and form'd the great and good. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The intrepidity that stecl'd 
 
 The far-fam'd Stewart's fearless heart 
 When ' round on the foe's ranks he wheel'd. 
 
 And took his hard-press'd Monarch's part, 
 And turn'd the battle's rushing tide. 
 And humbl'd haughty Haco's pride, 
 
 * Haco, King of Norxay, having invaded Scotland, in the year 1263, Alexander II. 
 King of Scotland, met him at the head of his troops, when a desperate engagement ensued. 
 Alexander, High Steward of Scotland, who commanded in the right wing of the Scots 
 army, having routed the left wing of the Norwegians, checked his victorious troops, ere 
 disordered in pursuit of the enemy, and wheeled them round on the rear of the main body 
 of Haco's troops, who were now engaged with the main body of the Scots, under the 
 command of King Alexander. The fete of the battle had long remained doubtful ; but 
 the spirited agd unexpected attack of the High Steward on the rear of the enemy, soon 
 threw them into confusion. The slaughter was dreadful, verj- few of the invading army 
 escaped to their ships, and Scotland enjoyed peace and tranquillity for many years after- 
 wards. Vide SymsorCs Historical Account of the Stuarts ^ p. 54. 
 
65 
 
 That ^ valour still is seen to grace 
 
 Each youthful warrior of the Stewart race, 
 
 v. 
 
 The Pow'r that bless'd the ^ Lenox line 
 With skill to guard their native coast. 
 
 And bade their chequer'd standard shine. 
 The dread of each invading host ; 
 
 Still on their race its favours sheds. 
 
 And ip the paths of glory leads. 
 
 And gives them still to hope the fame. 
 
 That trump'd of old thro' all the world their name. 
 
 VI. 
 
 His broad sails whit'ning all the main, 
 
 His bright flag floating in the wind. 
 When Jervis bore th' invading train 
 
 And bade them Gallia's vassals find, 
 
 ^ St' aiSuv a7\U7ryii 
 
 AiaMux^aivlo vQoi. PiNDAR. 
 
 Est in juvenis, est in equis patrum 
 
 Virtus : nee imbellem feroces 
 
 Progenerant aquilae columbam. Hoa, 
 
 1 The Dukes of Lennox were anciently hereditary Lords High Admirals of Scotland. 
 Vide Crawfurd's Officers of State in Scotland. The Earl of Galloway, and Lord Viscount 
 Garlics, are lineally descended from the ancient house of Lennox, and are at the head of 
 the Stuart name in Great Britain. Vide King James the Sixth's Patent, creating Sir Alex- 
 ander Stewart, of Garlics, Lord Garlics. Anderson^ s Genealogical Tables ; Crawfurd^ s 
 Peerage of Scotland, and View of the Evidence of this Family's Genealogy, lately printed 
 at Edinburgh. The Stewarts of Garlics wrote their names Stuart, in the time of Mary 
 Queen of Scotland. Vide Keith'' s History of Scotland. 
 
 K 
 
66 
 
 He saw the wall'd-beach lin'd with foes 
 
 In arms, that dar'd his views oppose, 
 
 But he bade Gar lies hasten near 
 
 And teach them British gallantry to fear. |^ 
 
 vn. 
 
 Go on, and fill with just alarms, 
 
 Each pride-built fortress of the foes, 
 Rival thy ancestors in arms, 
 
 And heal, brave youth, thy country's woes. 
 Let "Garlies still a Stewart prove. 
 And ev'ry virtue from above 
 Descend to shield his breast, and shed 
 His fam'd line's ancient splendour round his head. 
 
 m Derived from the ancient British Gair a word, and Llys a court. Parliaments were 
 held at the Castle of Garlies, in Galloway, in the early periods of the Scots History. This 
 old fortress was given by a charter, (which is said to be still extant, and in the possession 
 of the Earl of Galloway), by Alexander II. King of Scotland, to Alexander the High 
 Steward, November 30, 1263, as a reward of his valour. The family name of Stewart, 
 is derived from the office of High Steward, which they anciently bore. 
 
 Vide Syfnson's Stttarts, p. 55, &c. 
 
ODE XIX. 
 
 On the memorable and decisive Victory gained by 
 ADMIRAL LORD VISCOUNT DUNCAN 
 OVER THE DUTCH FLEET, 
 
 October 11, 1797, 
 
 f THE ARGUMENT. 
 
 Dryden^s description of the engagement between the .English and Dutch fleets, in 
 the Dutch war, when the two rival fleets fought for three days. Occasional 
 imitations of Dryden's stile and manner. Each stanza in the first ternary con- 
 cluding with one day's action. Superior merit of Lord Duncan, who, in 
 in three hours, gained a more decisive victory than the British fleet had anciently 
 done, over the same enemy, in three days. The nolle Admiral's conduct superior 
 to praise, and enabled by his conquests, were Bards venal, to purchase Fame 
 which they themselves might envy. Short description of the battle. The noble 
 Commander's bravery, dexterity, and professional knowledge. His piety. Piety 
 ever regarded by the best writers of antiquity, as essentially necessary to form 
 the character of a real hero. " 
 
 I. 1. 
 
 JtIARK ! with what harmonious fire, 
 
 Dryden strikes the sounding lyre 
 'Till England's lofty shores ring round. 
 
 Now he swells the din of battle. 
 
 Drums and cannons roar and rattle. 
 Loud shrieks and dreadful groans resound. 
 
 ■ The force of the Dutch were twenty-six ships, great and small, carrying 1259 gvvis. 
 The English had only twenty-four ships, and 1 1 98 guns. The officers, who distinguished 
 themselves in this action, were ordered gold medals, as in Earls Howe and St. Vincent's 
 UPgagen^cnts. ;0|g rt^g,^ 5^,^^ 
 
 K 2 
 
68 
 
 The magic of his lays present 
 The naval conflict to the view, 
 While as his strains the theme pursue, 
 
 Th' ears with the thunder's sound are rent ; 
 At a flash of his fire the smoke clears away. 
 See the brave ships of Britain their colours display. 
 See stubborn Dutch vessels of equal renown, 
 
 " To close with the British with courage bear down. 
 
 They flash, they roar, they mingle in the fight, 
 
 'Till clouds of sulphur intercept the sight. 
 
 And time invelopes them in shades of night. 
 
 I. 2. 
 
 In show'rs of tears the morn appears. 
 The work of death again 's begun. 
 The skies to show, dire deeds of woe. 
 
 Wrap in a bloody veil the sun. 
 What a havock is made, what fierce valour display 'd. 
 How brave are the Britons, how sturdy their foes. 
 The shrouds are stain'd o'er, the decks stream with gore. 
 More desp'rate the battle each moment now grows. 
 The smoke grows ev'ry minute thicker. 
 The broadsides quicker still and quicker. 
 The hulls all sable seem with powder. 
 The guns roar louder still and louder; 
 Now their strength 's spent, and friendly night. 
 Drops her black curtain o'er the fight, 
 And each side claims the honours of the day ; 
 Each side 's determin'd to renew the fray, 
 And each side sighs, and quarrels with the morn's delay. 
 
 1 
 
69 
 
 I. 3. 
 
 The dawn appears, the brave fleets close, 
 
 And dreadful thunder 's heard again. 
 Again the fire of battle glows. 
 
 Again gore reddens all the main ; 
 The day is often lost and won. 
 
 And Fortune often changes sides. 
 And desp'rate deeds are often done. 
 
 That change the wide-war's swelling tides ; 
 For three whole days the raging storms of fight. 
 Rise wit^ the dawn, and slacken with the night. 
 For three whole days all England in alarms. 
 Asks if victorious or subdu'd her arms ? 
 The Dutch so well, so well the Britons fought. 
 
 That Victory was puzzl'd which to crown ; 
 While the Chiefs' valour, and the Poet's note. 
 
 Pleas 'd Fame so much, she knew not which to own. 
 
 II. 1. 
 But Duncan in three hours did more 
 
 Than ancient chieftains in three days. 
 While Holland with superior pow'r. 
 
 Made a much feebler claim to praise. 
 He low'r'd so soon the Dutchmen's pride. 
 
 Night had no time to give them breath. 
 And Victory could soon decide, 
 
 Which fleet deserv'd the laurel wreath ; 
 Nor was England flurried much. 
 
 With noise of guns, or cannons' rattle. 
 She heard her fleet had beat the Dutch, 
 
 Before Fame told her of the battle ; 
 
70 
 
 So quick are Victory and Fame in flight, 
 
 *Tis a hard contest which the palm shall bear, 
 
 But soon as Duncan hoists the flag of fight. 
 The one is there, the other ever near. 
 
 For to the fight when he his squadron leads. 
 
 Still Victory to pilot him proceeds. 
 
 And Fame soon follows to proclaim his deeds. 
 
 II 2. 
 
 Nor need Fame hesitate so long, 
 
 To which to give most lasting praise, 
 To those who heal their country's wrong, 
 
 Or to those Bards whose lofty strains. 
 
 Relate the hardships toil and pains. 
 
 That shorten oft the heroe's days. 
 Duncan's worth surpasses far. 
 
 In bold prompt deeds, and skill in fight. 
 And all the stratagems of war. 
 
 In judgment timely to decide. 
 
 The vantage of the wind and tide. 
 And Fortitude at Danger's sight. 
 
 The scarce-own'd honour Poets merit, 
 
 For fanning the fire they inherit. 
 
 What muse-struck bardling now can write. 
 
 As well as Duncan 's known to fight? 
 Hundreds such bards as these degen'rate days 
 Avow, to him must yield superior praise. 
 And Dryden for his fame had freely giv*n the bays. 
 
 I 
 
 ! 
 
71 
 
 II. 3. 
 
 But Duncan needs no Bard to praise 
 The gallant deeds that he has done. 
 
 He for himself might buy the bays. 
 With vessels by his valour won ; 
 
 The Dutch alone nine ships supplied. 
 
 To wooe each Muse's lyric pride. 
 
 Some of their tribe, for such a bribe. 
 Might teach him how to touch the lyre^ 
 
 The Muse of old, lov'd gifts and gold. 
 The Theban Bard would sell his fire ; 
 
 But tho' the venal muse may part 
 ^ With all the honours of her art, 
 
 Britain's brave heroes ne'er resign 
 
 Their honours for the richest mine. 
 
 III. 1. 
 
 The Mantuan and Maeonian lyres. 
 
 Illumining with rival fires. 
 The honour, piety, and brav'ry gain. 
 
 Shew " impious hearts must dread the grave, 
 
 " None but the pious can be brave, 
 *' For heav'n is never reveren^'ed in vain," 
 
 True valour, skill, and force from heav'n. 
 
 Are only to the pious giv'n. 
 
 And where worth and valour thrive. 
 
 Ingratitude can never live ; 
 The coward conquer'd claims the laurel wreath. 
 Nor thanks that heav'n that sav'd his soul from death. 
 The brave victorious nobly thanks his God, 
 Nor dreads the flatt'rer's sneer, nor tyrant's rod. 
 
III. 2. 
 
 Batavia's formidable force. 
 
 For Britain boldly steer'd its course. 
 
 What could its daring pow'r withstand. 
 The wind was fair, the sky serene. 
 Its canvas wings embrown'd the scene. 
 
 And hover'd o'er the British strand. 
 
 Ready to pour its legions on the land ; 
 An hour's success might all things gain. 
 
 The British fleet in harbour lay, 
 But heav'n to prove their projects vain, 
 
 Shew'd Duncan where they wing'd their way. 
 Prompt at command the British fleet obeys, 
 Cheerly unfurls its ready sails and weighs. 
 While Duncan his victorious flag displays. 
 
 III. 3. 
 
 Down on the foe intrepidly they bear. 
 
 The wind, the surges, favour their design. 
 
 His well-found fleet with crowded sails they near. 
 And e'er they form their own, they "break his line, 
 
 • The advantage of Itfeaking the enemy's Une, where the discipline of the fleet can be 
 depended on, is obvious, and has been illustrated in an elegant and a masterly manner by 
 a late excellent writer on this subject. Vide Clarke'' s Naval Tactics, ^c. Much of the 
 naval success of the present war has been attributed to hints thrown out in that work. But 
 the fact is, that prior to the publication of that justly admired treatise, it has been the 
 practice of the British navy to break through their enemy's line whenever they would wait 
 for them ; as in Admiral Russel's engagement, &c. And if this has been oftener done in 
 the present than in any preceding wars, it is because their enemies stood their ground, and 
 fought better than ever they did before. The French certainly never fought in so deter- 
 mined a manner as they have done this war. In Earl Howe's engagement, they dis- 
 covered every determination to contest the victory with the greatest obstinacy, but their 
 
 I 
 
73 
 
 Determin'd Duncan led the way. 
 
 And heav'n with glory crown'd the day, 
 
 For tho' the enemy was brave. 
 
 Of his proud fleet they take the best, 
 
 Some from the yawning seas they save. 
 And force to shameful flight the rest. . 
 
 The first of duties next is Duncan's care. 
 
 To heav'n he pays the tribute of a pray'r; 
 The brave fear God, but none beside they fear. 
 
 They dread no censure, and they shew no pride, 
 The timid, ever impious must appear. 
 
 They own no God to fear, but ev'ry thing beside. 
 
 obstinacy only served to give the British seamen an opportunity of gaining greater honour 
 by beating them. They seem to consider breaking the enemy's line, and conquering him, 
 as things of course, if he stands his ground. We fairly fought them out of the weather-gage^ 
 is the expression of an English sailor in his letter on the first day's action. May 28, &c. 
 1794. And on the memorable 1st of yune, when Admiral Sir Alan Gardener adcjressed 
 his ship's company, and exhorted them to display the same valour they had done the 
 former days; " Never fear, Admiral," replied one of the seamen, " only place us near 
 *' enough." " I'll place you near enough, I warrant we shall singe their beards." 
 The Admiral was proceeding, but the shouts of applause were so tumultuous and in- 
 cessant, that he could not be heard. The conduct of the Queen, on that day, fuHy proved, 
 the British seamen know how to do their duty, if they be but placed near enough / 
 
 Vide a Seaman's Letter on the Battle of the \st of June, in the Naval Chronicle. 
 Each of the greai naval victories of the present war, seems to have its characteristic ex- 
 cellence. Lord Duncan's engagement seems distinguished by promptitude and stratagem. 
 Promptitude in getting under sail the moment the enemy's fleet were found to be at sea. 
 And stratagem in getting between them and the Texel, to prevent their return to port ; and 
 in allowing them the weather-gage at the commencement of the action, that, by brealdng 
 their line, the British fleet might be to windward, and be enabled to profit by the victory. 
 This action was, at first, most ably and obstinately contested, the Dutch seamen beino- 
 the best in Europe, the British excepted. But when they saw their Admiral taken, 
 they attempted to get away in great confusion. It was called the Battle of Campe r-Down ; 
 but from the hurry with which the enemy attempted to escape, towards the close of the 
 action, the British seamen called it the Battle of Scamper-Down ! 
 
ODE XX. 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OF THE BRAVE 
 
 CAPTAIN A. HOOD, 
 
 LATE COMMANDER OF 
 
 mS MAJESTY'S SHIP, MARS, OF 7 i GUNS, 
 
 Who was mortally wounded in an Action with the French Ship^ 
 
 Hercules, of the same ° Force, near Brtst, April 21, 1798, 
 
 and who lived but Just long enough to hear the 
 
 Enemy's Ship had struck, and to receive 
 
 the French Captain's Sword, 
 
 ——'Tulchrumque mori succurrit in Armis. ViRO, 
 
 I. 
 
 ijONG, long may thy enliv'ning powVs 
 
 Courage, thou gift of heav'nly Hands, 
 Swell Britons' hearts in trying hours, 
 
 And rouse the guardians of our lands 
 To nobler still and nobler deeds. 
 Embolden, when a hero bleeds. 
 Some braver hero still to stand. 
 With lightening in his eye, and thunder in his hand ; 
 
 p The Hercules was at anchor when the engagement commenced, a circumstance which 
 gave her a manifest advantage. Both ships carried the same number of guns ; but the 
 French ship had a considerable superiority in number of men. The Hercules was quite 
 a new ship ; it was about sun-set when Capt. Hood engaged her, in consequence of 
 orders from Lord Bridport. The action continued with unabated fury for above two 
 hours, and was fought so near the French shore, that the English heard the drums beat* 
 ing to arms all along the coast. 
 
' 75 
 
 II. 
 
 To pour on that rebellious force 
 
 That dares disquiet Britain's peace 
 And stop her commerce in her course. 
 
 The vengeance of an injured race. 
 And crush the Furies that turmoil 
 The minds of industry and toil. 
 And give returning Peace to smile 
 On our vex'd shores again, and bless our favour'd isle. 
 
 III. 
 So when brave Hood, with glory crown'd, 
 
 1 Mature in fame, tho' young in years, 
 In battle felt the fatal wound, 
 
 Tho' still unknown to nerveless fears. 
 Bold 'Butter FIELD stood forth, the boast 
 And bulwark of the British host, ^ 
 
 And showVd that unabating fire 
 On the proud foe, which courage could alone inspire. 
 
 The well-won sceptre of the main 
 
 Still Britain's envied hand shall hold. 
 And dazzle wond'ring realms again 
 
 With show'rs of traffic-gotten gold, 
 
 « Capt. Hood, in his Majesty's frigate yuno, Dec. 1793, ignorant of the evacuation 
 of Toulon, by the combined Spanish and English fleets, had entered that harbour in the 
 night, and had been designedly directed to steer on a sand-bank, by a French brig lying 
 at anchor there. When he discovered his error, he had the address to extricate his ship, 
 though a-ground, and the courage to carry her to sea, though fired at by all the batteries, 
 and all the ships within gun-shot of him. The French had sejit several boats full of 
 troops to take possession of the ship ; Capt, Hood received them on board, and carried 
 them out to sea with him. 
 
 ' First Lieutenant of the Mait. 
 
 L 2 
 
75 
 
 And guard the empire of the seas 
 
 Tho' envious France her Hercules 
 
 Should arm, and all his giant race. 
 
 And labour by their force to clamber to her place. 
 
 V. 
 
 The ^ Pow'r of battle still appears 
 
 And martials Britain's naval force. 
 Calls forth her adversary's fears. 
 
 And stops her treason in its course ; 
 What shocks, what havocks, what alarms ! 
 What carnage waits upon his arms ! 
 While the stain'd surges of the main. 
 Blush at presumptuous France, and shew her efforts vain. 
 
 VI. 
 Courage, from heav'nly source derived. 
 
 From » Piety and Virtue sprung, 
 Smil'd on her fav'rite while he liv'd. 
 
 And on his breast with fondness hung. 
 Bade his ship's company be brisk 
 And no vain distant war to risk, ^ """ 
 
 But * hand to hand to end the fray. 
 And gain her dying Hood the honours of the day. 
 
 • Marsy the name of the English ship. 
 
 t Captain Hood was the son of a clergyman in the W^est of England, and the nephew 
 of. the two noble Adminds, Lord Hood and Lord Bridport, who were likewise the 
 sons of a Devonshire vicar. 
 
 m The action was fought with the greatest obstinacy, 'till towards the conclusion of the 
 engagement, the English sailors boarded the Hercules, and carried every thing before them. 
 The two ships were so close to each other, that a boy passed from the yard-arm of the 
 Mars to the enemy's top, equipped himself in French clothes, and returned to his own 
 ship, enriched with the spoils, before the action was over. 
 
77 
 
 VII. 
 
 The sword ambitious France had giv'n 
 
 Her baffl'd captain now resigns. 
 Obeys the sovereign Will of Heav'n 
 
 And further fruitless war declines ; 
 The sword expiring Hood receives^ 
 And then the world in triumph leaves, 
 Smiling in death, his conquer'd foes. 
 Cry, " those who thus could die, who living could oppofe." 
 
 ODE XXI. 
 
 O N 
 
 LIEUTENANT C. PRICE'S'' DEFENCE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ISLES OF MARCOU, 
 
 May7y 1798. 
 I. 
 
 V^AMBRIA, for many an age renown*d 
 
 For hospitable boards, 
 Where unprotected strangers found. 
 
 Kind friends, and gen'rous lords ; 
 
 * The French, with a very formidable military force, and a whole fleet of gun-boats, 
 &c. attempted to surprize the Isles of Marfou, in the night, but they were heard by 
 Lieutenant Price, before they reached the shore, when he opened such a tremendous fire 
 upon them from all the batteries, that great part of the invading fleet was sunk, several 
 hundreds of their troops drowned, and the rest obliged, in the greatest confusion, to seek 
 ■ for safety in their own harbours, leaving behind them the FlibustUrj and some other of 
 their shipping. 
 
Where, while the foaming bowl went round. 
 The well-touch'd lyre's magic sound. 
 
 To noble daring rais'd mankind. 
 To thoughts the good alone can know. 
 To kind and val'rous deeds that show. 
 
 The great, the martial mind. 
 
 II. 
 
 Swept by a master's hand, the lyre 
 
 Exalts the soul from earth. 
 While soaring sentiments inspire 
 
 Grace, dignity, and worth. 
 Rous'd by the sound the weak grow bold. 
 For fame the rich despise their gold. 
 
 The poor with nobleness advance. 
 Laugh at the timid's vain alarms. 
 Defy the foe, and shout, " To Arms,'* 
 
 And firmly couch the lance. 
 
 III. 
 With these just feelings fir'd they fac'd. 
 
 Of late, y th* invading foe, 
 With the brave deeds their country grac'd, 
 
 That their fam'd annals show ; 
 Intrepidly they charg'd their foes. 
 And not content with distant blows, 
 
 y The bravery and intrepidity of the inhabitants of the principality of Wales, have fre- 
 quently been displayed. The spirit and promptitude with which they seized such arms 
 as presented themselves, and rushed forward in a mass to oppose the French troops 
 (about 1300 in number) that landed near Fishguard in Pembrokeshire, during the night, 
 in the month |of March 1797, are well known, and have often been mentioned to their 
 honour. 
 
79 
 
 They coveted the closer fight. 
 And hemm'd the hostile squadron round, 
 "Who soon oer-aw'd, and yielding, own'd. 
 
 Their valour and their might. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Sprung from this martial race, and fir'd 
 
 With the same warmth of heart. 
 By the same magic sound inspir'd. 
 
 Price play'd the hero's part; 
 When favour'd by the shades of night. 
 And their vast fleet conceal'd from sight. 
 
 The hostile army sought the shore ; 
 His watchful ear their whispers heard. 
 His arms he grasp'd, his troops prepar'd, 
 
 And bade his thunder roar. 
 
 V. 
 
 Sudden his lightning darts afar, 
 
 Flash'd from his well-charg'd arms. 
 Sudden the thunderbolts of war, 
 
 Th* advancing foe alarms; 
 Sudden the wave is cover'd o'er. 
 With floating bodies, blood, and gore. 
 
 And yards, and masts, and rifted decks. 
 While shrieks and drowning warrior's cries. 
 And a mix'd clamour pierce the skies. 
 
 And the sea's choak'd with wrecks. 
 
80 
 
 VI. 
 
 Confus'd the hostile fleet retires, 
 
 And mourns its thousands lost. 
 Precipitately flies his fires. 
 
 And feeks its native coast ; 
 And hopes to know a foe no more. 
 So ready with his thund'ring pow'r. 
 
 So prompt with his resistless hand 
 Whole squadrons from the sea to sweep, 
 And plunge whole armies in the deep. 
 
 Near where they hop'd to land. 
 
 VII. 
 Cambria's brave sons, if in the night. 
 
 Ye deal such deathful blows, 
 What would ye do if ye had ^ light 
 
 To see your treacherous foes ? 
 And France, if so despis'd a force. 
 Could stop thy squadrons in their course. 
 
 How would the nation arm'd, defy 
 Thy armies visiting their strand. 
 Should they, beguil'd, attempt to land. 
 
 And Britons' tempers try? 
 
 * XIotWop y ajflfjjv, &C. HoM. 
 
 Dispel thifr cloud, tbe ligbt of Heav'n restore. 
 
 If we must perish, we thy will obey. 
 
 But let us perish in the fece of day! Pope. 
 
ODE XXII. 
 
 O^ THE GLORIOUS VICTORY OBTAINED 
 
 OVER THE FRENCH FLEET 
 
 OFF THE 
 
 MOUTH OF THE NILE, 
 BY ADMIRAL LORD NELSON, 
 
 On the First of August, 1798. 
 1. 
 
 X OR many a league ■ pursu'd in vain. 
 
 At length the hostile fleet is seen. 
 Resistless Britons nobly gain 
 
 The day, but mourn the blood-stain'd scene ; 
 
 * The British fleet, under the command of Admiral Nelson, had been cruizing in 
 search of the French fleet, for several months, without success. But the time was not 
 lost. Every day, when the weather, and important business would permit, the Admiral 
 invited the Captains to dine on board the Vanguard, where, like a great master, he took 
 the opportunity of studying their different characters, and developing to them, by way of 
 conversation, his ideas of the best mode of attack, in every situation in which they pos- 
 sibly could find the enemy's fleet. The precise situation in which the French squadron 
 was afterwards discovered, had occurred to his penetrating mind, and he had suggested to 
 his Captains the propriety of dividing his fleet, and of appointing one division to attack 
 the enemy on the outside, and the other to sail between them and the shore, and engage 
 their attention on that side, hinting that " where there was room for an enemy's ship to 
 *' swing round, there was room for one of ours to anchor." The result of these dif- 
 ferent conversations was, that when they came to action, every one knew how to act with- 
 out waiting for signals ; the Admiral had the greatest confidence in his Captains, and the 
 Captains in the Admiral, and the men in both ; and they discovered the greatest exultation 
 at the sight of the French fleet, and fell on them with loud gheers, as if already sure of 
 Txctory. 
 
 M 
 
82 
 
 Thus Angels by divine command 
 Arm'd to chastise a guihy land. 
 Bid hosts Heav'n's aweful vengeance know. 
 But pity while they strike the blow : 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For Britain, while her navies know 
 
 To rule the waves at glory's call, 
 Loves to reward the laurell'd brow. 
 
 And weep the fate of those who fall. 
 
 II. 
 
 Thro' many ^batt'ry's fire severe, 
 
 'Mong rocks and shoals the victors steer. 
 
 While huge ships sunk, or blown in air. 
 Or captur'd, crown their bold career ; 
 
 * The enemy had an island in their van, with a battery of guns and mortars on it, and 
 they were flanked by frigates and numerous gun-boats. The entrance of the bay, (the 
 Bay of Shoals) , was extremely difficult. The French Admiral had assured Buonaparte, 
 ft few days before the action, that his situation was impregnable, and capable of. resisting 
 the whole navy of England. But Admiral Nelson, in his letter to Earl St. Vincent, 
 observes, " Nothing could withstand the squadron your Lordship did me the honour to 
 ** place under my command." The island, in front alone, with the battery on it, would 
 have been capable of preventing the approach of any other fleet, but Admiral Nelson 
 hardly deemed it worthy of notice ; he just mentions in the postscript of one of his letters, 
 ** The island I have taken possession of, and brought off the mortars, with all the brass 
 •* guns, and destroyed the iron ones.'* Their advantageous position, and their being at 
 anchor with springs on their cables, gave the French every hope, that the English were 
 rushing forward to inevitable destruction, but the moment the attack commenced on the 
 Tan, and that their line w^as placed between two fires, the English coming dow^n before 
 the wind, singling out their adversarj-'s ships, and anchoring within half pistol shot of 
 them in succession as they advanced, the French Commanders acknowle-Jged they saw 
 the battle was lost. The loud huzzas which the English sailors gave totally disconcerted 
 the French. Even English officers complained of it. The first Lieutenant of Lord 
 Nelson's ship wished to put a stop to it, as his commands could not be heard; " Let 
 •* the men alone," said his Lordship,. '* they know well enough what they are about." 
 
83 
 
 Such are the heroes Britain breeds. 
 Where honours wait on gallant deeds, 
 Or where soft tears by beauty shed 
 Embalm the raem'ry of the dead. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For Britain, while her navies know 
 
 To rule the waves at glory's call. 
 Pants to reward the laurell'd brow, 
 
 And weep her val'rous sons that fall. 
 
 III. 
 
 On "" either side the hostile fleet 
 
 The British bands their way pursue. 
 And render vain the foe*s retreat. 
 
 At once by land and water too ; 
 
 e The Goliath, of 74 guns, (commanded by Captain Foley, descended from a Pem- 
 brokeshire family, of great antiquity, and fruitful in great characters) , had the honour to 
 lead on the inside, followed by the Zealous, Orion, Audacious, and Theseus. These 
 ships, particularly the Goliath, as they advanced, received, in their bows, the whole fire 
 of the broadsides of the French line, as well as of the batteries. Notwithstanding this, 
 the necessary number of men w^ere employed aloft in furling the sails, and on deck in haul- 
 ing the braces, preparatory to casting anchor, which, amidst all the fire of the enemy, 
 was done, with as much coolness as if it had been in a friendly harbour, the ship's companies 
 diverting themselves with shouting and singings" God save the King," and " Hearts 
 " of Oak" — *' We cheer 'd as down the Bay we ran, &c." is part of a song written 
 on the occasion, by the Schoolmaster of the Vanguard. At half past six in the evening, 
 the moment they came to anchor, close along-side of the French ships, the action com- 
 menced with an ardour and vigour which it is utterly impossible to describe. The van ship 
 of the enemy, Le Guerrier, was dismasted in less than twelve minutes ; and in ten minutes 
 after, the masts of the second ship, Le Conquerant, and of the third, Le Spartiate, went 
 by the board. *' Their high state of discipline, (said Lord Nelson, in his Letter on the 
 ** success of the British fleet) , is well known to you, and with the judgement of the Cap- 
 ** tains, together with their valour, and of the officers and men of every description, it 
 *' was absolutely irresistible." 
 
 M 2 
 
84 
 
 While deluges of fire they pour. 
 
 And, lost in flames, the neighb'ring shore 
 
 Echos to dying seamen's cries. 
 
 Which draw tears e'en from heroes* eyes : 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For Britain, while her navies know 
 
 To rule the waves at glory's call. 
 Loves to reward the laurell'd brow. 
 
 And weep the fate of those who fall. 
 
 IV. 
 More gallant deeds mark'd not the ^ morn, 
 
 When the foe's lofty line to break 
 The British flag was cheerly borne. 
 
 And half Gaul's squadron lay a wreck ; 
 When as in thund'ring clouds that hail'd. 
 Triumphant Britons, while they sail'd, 
 Seem'd Heav'n-born Pow'rs to mortal ken, 
 •'Till they mourn'd Montagu like men : 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For Britain, While her navies Icnow 
 
 To rule the waves at glory's call. 
 Pants to reward the laurell'd brow. 
 
 And weep her val'rous sons that fall. 
 
 * The glorious morning of the 1st of June, 1794, when Lord Howe, in the Queen 
 Charlotte, carried the British flag triumphantly through the centre of the French line, and 
 almost half the French fleet were seen dismasted and disabled. 
 
 e VaRIATIOWS. 
 
 " ^Till tears for Hervey prov'd them inen.^* 
 But Captain Hervey, of the Brufirwick, had feUen in battle previous to the Isth o( jfune ; 
 and it was the gallant Captain Montagu who was killed in Lord Howe's defeat of the 
 French fleet on that memorable day, » 
 
85 
 
 V. 
 ' Westcote ! the Nile from distant hills, 
 
 Pouring her tribute to the main, 
 Confess'd, tho' fed by golden rills, 
 
 Thou gav'st her ^aves the richest stain ; 
 So when Gaul chid Batavia's fear. 
 And bade her Duncan's thunder hear. 
 The flood, as British Poets said, 
 Blush'd when undaunted sBurgess bled. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For Britain while her navies know 
 
 To rule the waves at glory's call ; 
 Pants to reward the laurell'd brow, 
 
 And weep her val'rous sons that fall. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Gaul, thy chimeras all are vain, 
 
 Britain's ^ BeUeropkon pursu'd 
 To Egypt's coast thy monster train. 
 
 And gave ' Arabia's sons their blood ; 
 
 f Captain Westcote, of the Majestic, who fell in Lord Nelson's glorious engage- 
 ment, August 1, 1798, and who was so much beloved, that the whole town, where his 
 friends lived, w^ent into mourning when the melancholy account of his death arrived. 
 
 g Captain Burgess, killed in Lord Duncan's engagement with the Dutch fleet, Oc- 
 tober 11, 1797. 
 
 h Bellerophon was not more celebrated in ancient fable for subduing chimerical monsters, 
 than the ship that bears his name has been this war, in lending her aid to stop the ara-^ 
 bitious career of the French : she was with the foremost of the ships that broke through 
 the French line in Lord Howe's memorable engagement on the 1st of jfune, 1794, and 
 was seen firing each way, in passing their line, with as much vigour and effect as if only 
 her guns on one side had been manned. She bore a conspicuous share in Lord Nelson's 
 engagement, and was so disabled, that she nearly drifted on the ^Egyptian shore. 
 
 * Some of the crews of the Titnoleon, and other French ships, having swum on shore 
 RtoT Aboukir-Bay, were put to death by the Arabians. The crew of the Zr'^;//w/j"^, a 
 
/^ 
 
 86 
 
 Boast ye, proud foes, of crimes elate, 
 ''Daniells' unseasonable fate? 
 Your boast is vain ; his country shows 
 His laurels on his brother's brows. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For Britain, while her navies know 
 To rule the waves at glory's call. 
 Pants to reward the laurell'd brow. 
 And weep her val'rous sons that fall. 
 VII. 
 What terrors palsied jF.gypt's breast. 
 
 When Gallia's monsters first appear'd ! 
 What lively hopes her eyes express'd ! 
 
 When Nelson first his standard rear'd 
 To shade her shore, while in his fire 
 Whole squadrons dreaded to expire^ 
 ^ 'Till at his nod his heroes rose. 
 And rescu'd from the flames their foes : 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For Britain, while her navies know 
 
 To rule the waves at glory's call. 
 Loves to reward the laurell'd brow. 
 
 And weep the fate of those that fall. 
 
 French frigate, were, though pitied, thought to have deserved their fate : for that ship 
 having fired a broadside, and struck her colours, the French Captain, after having thus 
 surrendered, unwarrantably set fire to his vessel, and, with part of the crew, escaped on 
 shore. Authentic Account of the Battle of the Nilcy 6?c. 
 
 •* Lieutenant Danieli.s, of the Bellerophon, killed in the engagement with the French 
 fleet on the coast of ^gypty August 1, 1798, in compliment to whose merit Lieutenant 
 Daniells, his surviving brother, was made master and commander. 
 
 1 When Admiral Nelson was informed that the L^Orient was on fire, though under 
 the Surgeon's hands, having a severe wound dressed, which he had received in his head. 
 
87 
 
 VIII. 
 
 How wild were War's destructive rage! 
 
 How fierce his desolating fire ! 
 Did not Humanity assuage 
 
 With gentle hand his wasteful ire. 
 And place a Nelson in command. 
 To civilize his savage band. 
 And bid the hand of ™ Mercy heal 
 The wounds War's raving furies deal : 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For Britain, while her navies know 
 
 To rule the waves at glory's call. 
 Loves to reward the laurell'd brow. 
 
 And weep the fate of those who fall. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Toss'd on the restless seas of strife. 
 
 When Death in dreadful forms appears ; 
 
 What could sustain the warrior's life ? 
 What could remove his frequent fears ? 
 
 he instantly ran upon deck, and ordered the only boat he had capable of floating to be im- 
 mediately manned, and sent to the assistance of the Frenchmen on board. The other 
 British ships that were capable of doing so followed his example, and thus saved the lives 
 of a great many of the poor people on board. She blew up with a tremendous explosion 
 about ten o'clock ; an aweful pause, and a death-like silence, for about three minutes, 
 ensued. JLa Serieuie, a French frigate, had been sunk by the fire of the British ships ; 
 her poop remained above water, and her men were saved upon it, and taken off by the 
 boats of the English fleet. Authentic Account of the Battle of the Nile^ Naval Chroniclcy 
 Naval Maga%hie, No. 11, ^c. 
 
 « " The Admiral well knowing that the wounded of his own ships had been taken 
 " care of, bent his first attention to those of the enemy. He established a truce with the 
 *' Commandant of Abaukir, and through him made a communication to the Commandant 
 
88 
 
 Did not a Nelson now and then 
 " Rise to direct the eyes of men, 
 To where at Nature's helm presides 
 The Pow'r that rules the battle's tides. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For Britain, while her navies know 
 
 To rule the waves at glory's call. 
 Loves to reward the laurell'd brow, 
 
 And weep the fate of those who fall. 
 
 '* o( Alexandria, that It was his intention to allow all the wounded Frenchmen to be takea 
 " on shore to proper hospitals, with their own surgeons to attend them." AutJunlic Ac- 
 count of the Battle of the Nile,, &c, 
 
 ■ After the many extraordinary escapes which Lord Nelson has experienced, and the 
 many arduous situations in which he has been placed, nothing can do him more honour 
 than the manly piety and religious gratitude which, in this dissolute age, he has had the 
 resolution uniformly to avow. The day after the Battle of the Nile, thotigh the time and 
 attention of the Admiral, and all the Officers of the fleet, were fully employed, the fol- 
 lowing memorandum was issued to the different Captains of the squadron : 
 
 MEMORANDUM. 
 
 Vanguard, off the Mouth of the Nile, August 2, 1798. 
 . ** Almighty God having blessed his Majesty's arms with victory, the Admiral intends 
 •' returning public thanks^ving for the same, at two o'clock this day ; and he recom- 
 *• mends every ship doing the same, as soon as convenient, 
 
 " To the respective Captains 
 *' of the Squadron." 
 
 Accordingly, at two o'clock that day, divine service was publicly performed on the 
 quarter deck of the Vanguard, by the Reverend Mx. Comyn ; all the other ships follow- 
 ing the example of the Admiral. This solemn act of gratitude to Heaven seemed to make 
 a very deep impression on several of the prisoners, both officers and men ; some of the 
 former of whom remarked, " that it was no wonder we could preserve such order and 
 ** discipline, when we could impress the minds of our men with such sentiments, after a 
 •' victory so great, and at a moment of such seeming confusion." 
 
 Such public acts of religious gratitude impress the minds of the men with dignified sen- 
 timents, and inspire them with proper confidence. A military party, belonging to the late 
 secret expedition, being on board a ship of war in the Mediterranean, when the men were 
 
89 
 
 X. 
 
 Immortal Nelson ! round thy brow 
 
 How fair the wreath thy country twines ! 
 
 No brighter name her " annals know. 
 No hero more distinguish'd shines ; 
 
 And, grateful, all thy wounds she feels, 
 And lib 'rally her bounty deals. 
 To rear their orphan race who died 
 In that day's combat at thy side. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For Britain, while her navies know 
 
 To rule the waves at glory's call. 
 Pants to reward the laurell'd brow. 
 
 And weep her val'rous sons that fall. 
 
 called up to prayers, one of them asked what that was for ? and being answered It was to 
 call them to prayers, " what, do you go to prayers here?" said he, ** yes," cried a 
 seaman, " do not you?" " No," answered the soldier, " we have long discarded ow/ 
 " Chaplains, w^ never pray." " Then, I suppose," replied one of the sailors, '* that ii 
 " the reason why you always succeed so well." 
 
 " A greater, or a completer victory, than the glorious victory of the Nile, is not re- 
 corded in the annals of Great Britain, nor in the history of any country, ancient or modern. 
 The English Admiral had with him, in action, only twelve ships of 74 guns, one 50 gun 
 ship, and a brig of 14 guns. The enemy, exclusive of their advantageous position, had 
 one ship of 120 guns, three of 80, nine of 74, in all, thirteen ships of the line, and four 
 frigates, two of them carrying 48 and 36 guns, all of which were sunk, burnt, or cap- 
 tured, except two ships of the line, and two frigates, that effected their escape the follow- 
 in »■ morning, and those have been since taken. This, in the language of the sailors, has 
 been called giving a good account of them. His Majesty has since conferred the dignity of 
 a Baron of Great Britain on Sir Horatio Nelson, by the title of Baron NelSon of the 
 Nile : Gold medals to be worn by the officers, as in Earl Howe's engagement. 
 
 N 
 
90 
 
 XI. 
 
 Not so ! the modest hero said, 
 
 A °heav'nly Hand hath been our guide. 
 
 His shield in battle o'er us spread. 
 And led to mercy those who died ; 
 
 That heav'nry Hand that gives the heart 
 
 To act the honourable part. 
 
 To calm the friendless p Orphan's fears. 
 
 And gently dry the Widow's tears ; 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For Britain, while her navies know 
 
 To rule the waves at glory's call. 
 Pants to reward the laurell'd brow. 
 
 And weep her val'rous sons that fall. 
 
 XII. 
 
 No ! vaunting Gauls ! Iberians ! no ! 
 
 Fair Albions* cliffs ye ne'er shall harm ; 
 What? felt ye not St. Vincent's blow.^ 
 
 Felt ye not Hov^e's experienc'd arm."^ 
 And many a Hero more she boasts. 
 To guard from harm her sea-girt coasts, 
 
 • Vide Admiral Lord Nelson's Letter, on the occasion, to Admiral Earl St. Vincent, 
 ** Almight y God has hUssed his Majesty's arms in the late hattU, with a great Victory 
 ** over the jleet of the enemy y &'tf." 
 
 P This Ode was set to music, and- published soon after the action, by G. Smart, corner 
 of Argyll-street y Oxford-street y for the benefit of the widows and orphans of those who fell 
 in the action. 
 
91 
 
 And many a future bard shall tell. 
 Who bravely fought, who nobly fell. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For Britain, while her navies know 
 To rule the waves at glory's call. 
 
 Pants to reward the laurell'd brow. 
 And weep her val'rous sons that fall. 
 
 ODE XXIII. 
 
 ON THE ''victory OBTAINED BY 
 
 ADMIRAL SIR J. B. WARREN's SQUADRON 
 
 OVER THE FRENCH FLEET 
 OFF THE COAST OF IRELAND, 
 
 October 12, 1798. 
 I. 
 
 VV IDE o'er thy desolated heaths 
 The fiend of war, Hibernia, breathes 
 
 Inexorable hate. 
 Wraps in remorseless flames the cot. 
 Where the lone orphan mourns his lot. 
 
 Or weeps his parents' fate. 
 
 ^- When the proximity of the enemy to the Irish coast, the number of troops on board 
 their fleet, their disposition to land them, the arms they had provided for the insurgents, 
 the state of Ireland at the time, and the hords of banditti ready to join the invaders, arc 
 considered. Sir J. B. Warren's victory must be admitted to have been one of the most 
 seasonable, and providential, in the course of the present eventful war. While the vigi- 
 lance discovered in observing the course of the hostile fleet, the address evinced in bringing 
 them to action, and the spirit displayed in the attack of so formidable a force, reflects the 
 hi^^hest credit on the enterprizing fervour, the valour, and the professional abilities of the 
 principal in commaftd, the different oflicers, and men. 
 
 N 2 
 
92 
 
 II. 
 
 Sternly the pike the monster sways. 
 
 And, nightly, on scar'd cities lays. 
 
 Or fanes, his ruthless hand. 
 And yet insatiable of ill 
 For fiend-like aid he beckons still 
 To Gaul's demoniac land. 
 
 III. 
 
 Obedient at the call, the coast 
 Is shaded with th' invading host 
 In friendship's garb array'd, 
 Gallia's deceitful bands, whose words 
 Of peace are boastful, but whose swords 
 Speak treach'ry their trade. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Her standard, Anarchy, displays. 
 Invites the foe to tread her ways. 
 
 And aid her murd'rous train, 
 To drench the land in guiltless blood. 
 To sacrifice the great and good. 
 
 And spread her riot reign. 
 
 V. 
 
 Fraught with more mischief than of yore. 
 The ' Grecian gift to Ilium bore. 
 
 The fraudful fleet prepares. 
 To pour on the deluded land 
 With indefatigable hand. 
 
 Her desolating wares. 
 
 ' Ne credite, Teueri, 
 
 Quicquid id est, timeo Danaos, ct dona fcrentes. Viao. 
 
93 
 
 VI. 
 
 The Hoche, of huge gigantic size. 
 With her masts lost amidst the skies, 
 
 A mountain crown'd with wood, 
 Her crew an army in array, 
 Her shade a gloom that clouds the day, 
 
 Sails, tow'ring o'er the flood. 
 VII. 
 While a whole fleet at her command. 
 Already near Hibernia's strand. 
 
 Their martial prowess boast. 
 And every loyal heart, with fear. 
 Views an unfeeling foe so near. 
 
 And thinks the country lost, 
 VIII. 
 But in the moment of our fears. 
 When Evil in full pow'r appears, 
 
 Heav'n's Hand appears to save ; 
 While the vain foe his triumph boasts, 
 Britain, who guards Hibernia's coasts, ..jjcj 
 
 Shades with her fleet the wave. 
 IX. 
 *Warren, in tempests ever seen. 
 Soon throws his form athwart the scene. 
 
 And soon salutes the foe. 
 Like light'ning seen thro' storms to glide. 
 And flash against some mountain's side. 
 
 He deals the dext'rous blow. 
 
 ' Sir J. B. Warren, in the course of this war, has taken several hostile ships, while 
 it blew a gale of wind, and while there was the greatest danger of his little squadron's 
 being driven on the enemy's coast. 
 
94 
 
 X. 
 
 The foe's vast bulk his blows receives. 
 Heels at each thunderbolt, and heaves, 
 
 And trembles o'er the tide, 
 As when a tow'ring mountain feels 
 An earthquake's rending force, he reels. 
 
 And ' low'rs his lofty pride. 
 XL 
 Next "Doris and Ethalion's name, 
 Tho' not unknown to ancient fame, ^*»"^f^ :^bii3ilA 
 
 New honours still acquire ; 
 And long their praise, who lowVd the pride 
 Of ''THREE FOES, ou th' ensanguiu'd tide. 
 
 Shall charm the British lyre. 
 XII. 
 The Britons now the Gauls pursue. 
 While y Countess keeps the game in view, 
 
 And cheers them in the chace ; 
 And ^Thornborough with cautious sway. 
 Preserves unhurt the captur'd prey. 
 
 But curbs the restless race. 
 
 t Le Hoche, of 80 guns, and full of men, struck to the Canada^ of 74 guns. Sir J. B. 
 Warren's ship. 
 
 « The Doris frigate, of 36 guns, and the Ethalion, Captain Countess, greatly distin- 
 guished themselves in the action of the 1 2th of October y &c. 
 
 * Three of the enemy's frigates, two of them of 40 guns each, struck to the British 
 fleet five hours after the Canada had taken Le Hoche. 
 
 1 Captain Countess discovered the same vigilance in keeping the enemy's fleet in view, 
 and, by signals, informing Sir J. B. W^arren's squadron of their rout, that Capt. Sir H. 
 Trollope had displayed previous to Lord Duncan's action, when he used the memo- 
 table saying " wherever you see the Russel, there you 'II see the Dutch fleet." 
 
 • Captain Thornborough had the merit of keeping company with Le Hoche, and 
 some other of the prices, and, of bringing them into port in very tempestuous weather. 
 
95 
 
 XIII. 
 
 ■Durham, once more, the trump of Fame 
 Essays with Anson's well known name 
 
 The Loire returns the sound. 
 While by the fleet ^ Melampus seiz'd. 
 And by his constant baying teaz'd. 
 
 The Resolu is found. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 And Martin swiftly flies, and flings 
 The shadow of his canvass wings 
 
 O'er th' agitated main, 
 Th' '^ Immortalite, elate 
 With vanity disputes her fate, 
 
 But she disputes in vain. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Kind ^Providence, how bless'd the land 
 That knows and owns thy guardian Hand ! 
 And sees thy Pow'r prevail ! 
 
 * The Loire, of 46 giins, and 664 men, taken October 18, t798, by the Anson, of 44, 
 Captain Durham. 
 
 '' Primusque Melampus 
 
 Ichnobatesque sagax latralu signa dedere. Ovid. 
 
 The i?<'/o/w, of 40 guns, struck to the ikft/awz^wj, of 36' guns. 
 
 c The Tmmortalite, of 44 guns, and 700 men, including troops on board, struck to 
 the Fisgard, of 44, Captain Martin, near jff;f/f, October 20, 1798. 
 
 d A Nobleman, as remarkable fof the energy of his expressions as for his talents, being 
 on the Continent, was introduced to a Monarch who had been in the alliance of England. 
 The conversation turning oh the affairs of this country, the Nobleman mentioned the sig- 
 nal interpositions of Providence in its favour, ," Providence!" said the King, 
 " that's one of your Allies, is it ? — and, 1 suppose, the only one you have remaining." 
 ** The only one we are not forced to subsidize, an't please your Majesty," answered the 
 
96 
 
 France shadow'd with her fleet the deep. 
 And threaten'd realms ; but «= scarce a ship 
 Returns to tell the tale. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 The ^ fleet-sav'd isles in grateful song, 
 Warren, shall sound thy triumphs long, 
 
 And own thy timely aid ; 
 And the rapt bard of future days 
 Thy promptitude and skill shall praise. 
 
 And please thy list'ning shade. 
 
 Nobleman. *' Then it is the only one," said the King, *' that will do no great things 
 •' for you." — " If She do no great things for us," replied the Nobleman, " She does not 
 *' take great sums of money from us, and afterwards desert us, and do nothing.^* 
 
 • Of nine ships and a brig sent to invade Ireland^ seven and a brig were taken, and one 
 was r epor ted to have been sunk going into Brest. 
 
 'Of&ojSfjtra vaj/Tai5, defended by seamen. Pindar. 
 
 ** I believe, a bric^, with Napper Tandy on board, was in company, as she left the 
 <' the French at the commencement of the business. The enemy's ships had numbers of 
 " troops on board, arms, stores, and ammunition ; and large quantities of papers were 
 •* torn, and thrown overboard, after they had struck, &c.'* 
 
 Extract from Sir J. B. Warren's Letter to Lord Castlereagh, dated October 18, 1798. 
 
ODE XXIV. 
 
 ON SIR SIDNEY SMITH'S 
 
 GALLANT AND UNPRECEDENTED DEFENCE OF 
 
 ST. JOHN DE ACRE, 
 
 Against the French Troops under the Command of Buonaparte, 
 March, April, and May, 1799. 
 
 IRREGULAR. 
 
 I. 
 
 XXENCE, nor dare profanely tread, 
 
 Near these celebrated rills. 
 Which flow from Hermon's sacred head. 
 
 And Libanus's wood-crown'd hills ; 
 Vile apostates, hence, avaunt, 
 Chuse some dark unhallow'd haunt, 
 Where impious Atheism may shade 
 Her base polluted train in some impervious glade ; 
 Impiety, let not thy breath 
 Taint the Plains of Nazareth, 
 
 Nor let thy orgies wild resound. 
 Near this consecrated ground, 
 
 II. 
 
 This far-fam'd long-contested ground contains. 
 
 Your ancestors' rever'd remains. 
 Who on the spot their vile descendants stain. 
 Were in more pious quarrels slain, 
 
 o 
 
98 
 
 WTiat time to rescue from the Sultan's tyrant hand. 
 The precincts of the g Holy Land, 
 The Christian Monarch couch'd his lance. 
 
 And led to war the hosts of France, 
 And among Europe's armies sought the fame. 
 
 Valour sheds on heroes' name. 
 What tho' wrong their zeal, they bled. 
 More salutary principles to spread, 
 Louis and Phillip bending from the skies 
 View their abandon'd sons with horror and surprize. 
 
 III. 
 
 Near Jordan's sacred stream. 
 
 See ruthless falchions gleam, ^ 
 
 To spread impiety and error's reign. 
 Apostatizing France, 
 Bids her fall'n troops advance 
 Her 43lasphemies on Gilead's hallow 'd plain. 
 Whence her own boasted devotees of yore, 
 Wrench'd from the foe the field, or drench'd it with their gore. 
 
 IV. 
 See, History her art divine displays. 
 
 And prompt at her command, 
 Monarchs, and mail-clad chiefs of ancient days. 
 
 Daring the faithless foe to combat, stand, 
 
 t The Kings, and the troops of France, during the Crusades, distinguished themselves 
 amongst the warlike armies of Europe, in the bold attempt to recover the Holy Land from 
 the Saracens. See.an interesting account of Louis IX. King of France, his eji^iedition to 
 Egypt, his captivity, and departure foi St. John De Acre, in M. Savary^s Letters on 
 Eg^t, vol. i. p. 337. 
 
99 
 
 Robert, of Normandy the martial boast. 
 
 His realms for Fame resign'd, 
 And wounded Edward, of undaunted mind, 
 To health by beauteous Eleanor restor'd ; 
 And *> Lion-hearted Richard, rise to view, 
 And Barons bold that honour's paths pursue. 
 
 With warlike gifts empowVd, 
 And many a val'rous Knight in deeds of arms. 
 
 O'er many a realm, renown'd. 
 The peerless Champions Britain bred, 
 In days of Chivalry to spread 
 
 Her warlike fame o'er many a region round ; 
 And Ptolemais, at thy walls, 
 See, Lion-hearted Richard calls. 
 And fills thy Legions with alarms. 
 Before thy gates tho' myriads fell, in vain, 
 
 Tho' foes for years around thy walls were found. 
 Yet Richard's summons have such charms, 
 , The citadel at once they gain. 
 
 fc The Crusaders under the command of the Kings of France, &c. had besieged Ptolemais, 
 or St. jfohn de Acre, in vain, for a considerable time; but when Richard Coeur de Lion 
 appeared before it, at the head of his English troops, and summoned it to surrender, so 
 great was the terror of his name, that it foon threw open its gates. 
 
 Hume^ s History of England, vol. ii. p. 18!^, ^c. 
 
 Gibbon, in his History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire , gives several in- 
 stances of the terror which King Richard's name had inspired. Armed with his mace, 
 he singly galloped in front of the whole Saracen line, and none had courage enough to en- 
 counter him, or spirit to discharge a lance at him. For years afterwards his name was 
 proverbial in the East, What is the matter with thee ? An Arabian would say, when his 
 horse started. Dost thou think thou seest King Richard? 
 
 O 2 
 
100 
 
 V. 
 
 Gallia's sons, hope not to find. 
 
 Now, these walls so soon borne down, 
 
 Different far the Lord they own, 
 A ' Christian Knight the rampart guards. 
 And diff'rent far the assailants' mind. 
 
 Their faithless, their apostate force, 
 
 (Religion scorn'd and outrag'd), must of course 
 Dread their apostacy's rewards. 
 
 VI. 
 But Lion-hearted Richard bravely led 
 
 Faithful and British troops to war. 
 Whose well-directed gallantry had spread 
 
 The terror of their names afar. 
 Round Richard while such force appear'd. 
 His warlike summons soon were heard. 
 Cities resign'd, at his commands. 
 Their citadels, and hostile bands ; 
 Warriors, let but your legions love. 
 What Truth and Piety approve. 
 They'll be, where'er they're seen, rev^er'd. 
 But faithless hosts are only fear'd. 
 
 VII. 
 Sidney, on thee they try their arts in vain. 
 
 By thee nor dreaded nor rever'd. 
 The fickle foe with true compunction find 
 
 By their attractive force in thee. 
 
 The charms of virtuous Worth and Piety, 
 
 Wishing now they had not err'd ; 
 
 I Sir Sidney Smith, in his Letter to the Christians of Mount Lebanon^ to dissuade 
 them from joining the French, stiled himself a Christian Knight. 
 
101 
 
 And tho' they vaunt so loud their feats in arms. 
 They see the savage ^ Turk's untutor'd mind. 
 When disciplin'd by thee, display 
 The gen'rous thoughts the brave betray. 
 When in the breach the day they gain. 
 When all the foe's attacks they foil. 
 
 Fill his whole host with harassing alarms, 
 And vanquish him with lassitude and toil ; 
 
 VIII. 
 And royal Richard ne'er obtain'd. 
 Or by imprisonment, or war, 
 , Or sufferings in Honour's cause, 
 , So fair a fame as thou hast gain'd. 
 To trump thy envied name afar. 
 And swell thy country's just applause. 
 
 IX 
 
 Urg'd on by all the Demons of Despair 
 
 Tho' twice six times the foes advance. 
 Smith's fertile mind by vigilance and care 
 
 Foils all the stratagems of France ; 
 And when the treach'rous ' Mine they form, 
 
 ^ " I must not omit to mention, to the credit of the Turks, that they fetch the gabionsi 
 *' fascines, and those materials which the garrison does not afford, from the face of the 
 *' enemy's works, setting fire to what they cannot bring away, &c." Sir Sidney Smithes 
 Letter to Earl St. Vincent, dated Acre, May 2, 1799- 
 
 ^ " Lieutenant Wright, who commanded the seamen pioneers, notwithstanding he 
 *' received two shot in his right arm as he advanced, entered the mine with the pikemen, 
 •' ,and proceeded to the bottom of it, where he verified its direction, and destroyed all that 
 " could be destroyed in its then state, by pulling down the supporters. Colonel Douglas 
 ** supported the seamen in this desperate service, with his usual gallantry, under the in- 
 •' creased fire of the enemy, bringing off Lieutenant Wright, who had scarcely strength 
 
102 
 
 Or when the batter'd ™ tow'r they storpi. 
 
 They still find Sidney on his guard. 
 
 Above or under ground prepar'd. 
 
 Skilful to make the batter'd wall 
 
 Hasten the rash assailant's fall. 
 
 While in the mines the foes design'd. 
 
 They but their own graves often find. 
 Or when they 're sprung, they seem but sprung to raise 
 Louder reports of Sidney's well earn 'd praise. 
 
 ODE XXV. 
 
 ON LIEUTENANT BURKE's ACHIEVEMENT, 
 IN BOURNOEUF-BAY, 
 
 ON THE 
 
 COAST OF FRANCE, 
 
 July 2, 1800. 
 
 I. 
 
 jj ORTUNE assists the brave, and yields 
 
 Her never-failing aid. 
 From storms her arm her fav'rite shields. 
 
 Her hands from sun-beams shade ; 
 
 ** left to get out of the enemy's trench." Sir Sidney Smith's Letter, April 7, 1799. 
 No words can do justice to the merits of Colonel Philipeaux, who, on this occasion, 
 fell a sacrifice to his leal for the service. 
 
 « " Nothing but desperation can induce them (the French) to make the sort of attempts- 
 *' they do to mount a breach, practicable only by the means of scaling ladders, under 
 ** such a fire as we pour in upon them ; and it is impossible to see the lives, even of our 
 •* enemies, thus sacrificed, and so much bravery misapplied, without regret." 
 
 Sir Sidney Smith's Letter, May 2, 1799. 
 
103 
 
 And in the deathful storms of war 
 The well-aim'd shafts that fly afar, 
 
 Repell'd by Fortune's seven- fold targe, 
 Or fall innoxious to the ground. 
 Or give a superficial wound. 
 
 His spreading fame t' enlarge. 
 
 II. 
 When Burke the "crowded deck assail'd. 
 
 And charg'd the well-arm'd throng, 
 Their blows, tjio' hundreds, on him hail'd. 
 
 Their blows they all aim'd wrong; 
 For through the throng he cut his way. 
 And bore the hostile bark away, 
 
 Their whizzing balls tho' cannons showVd, 
 And France with indignation sees 
 Her vessels borne o'er British seas. 
 
 In British harbours moor'd. 
 
 III. 
 But France with unavailing woe 
 
 Mourns the untimely fall 
 Of her scar'd sons that fled the blow. 
 
 And fled the flying ball ; 
 For cowards while they seek to shun 
 The keen-edg'd sword, or murd'ring gun. 
 
 Betray an uncollected mind. 
 By their own terrors are destroy 'd. 
 And meet the ball they would avoid. 
 
 The death they fly from find. 
 
 a A ship of war, of 20 guns, a lugger, of 12, two gun-boats and a lugger, of 6 gnna 
 each, and fifteen vessels loaded with provisions, were taken, and burnt, by the boats of 
 the Renown, Fisgard, and Defence, under the command of Lieutenant H. Burke. 
 
104 
 
 VI. 
 
 Again in ° Vigo's far-fam'd port 
 
 Burke Gallia's sons assails, 
 Tho' moor'd beneath a friendly fort. 
 
 Its friendship nought avails ; 
 And nought avail the iron show'rs 
 A neighb'ring batt'ry fiercely pours, 
 
 Nor yet the num'rous well-arm'd foe. 
 The well-arm'd foe the victors rout. 
 Rush on their vessel with a shout. 
 
 And from its moorings tow. 
 
 VII. 
 But see the gallant leader bleeds, 
 
 Altho' he won the day. 
 Fortune to aggrandize his deeds. 
 
 His valour to display. 
 Permits a trivial wound to grieve 
 The friends that wish that he may live 
 
 To triumph o'er his countr}''s foes. 
 To gain a still more envied name. 
 The honours of his well-earn'd fame 
 
 With happiness to know. 
 
 o " I placed them under the direction of Lieutenant Burke, of the Renown, whose 
 *' gallant conduct has so often merited your commendation. About forty minutes past 
 ** twelve they attacked her f La Guipe, of 22 guns, and 161 men) with the greatest 
 •' bravery, meeting with desperate resistance ; her commander having laid the hatches 
 ** over to prevent her people giving way, and cheered as the boats advanced ; but notwith- 
 ** standing this determined opposition, she was carried in fifteen minutes. I am sorry to 
 *' add, Lieutenant Burke has received a severe wound, but I hope not dano^erous." 
 
 Captain Hood'' s Letter to Admiral Sir y. B. Warren, Vigo-Bay, August 30, 1800. 
 
ODE XXVI. 
 
 ON CAPTAIN SIR E. HAMILTON'S 
 
 Boarding the •" Hermione, of 32 guns^ at the head of sixty men, and 
 
 carrying her against 300 Spaniards, and cutting her out of 
 
 Porto Cavallo, in the night, though at Anchor, under 
 
 a very formidable Battery, October 25, 1799- 
 
 I. 
 
 i^TAY, stay your ruthless hands, nor shed 
 
 That sacred blood, your chieftain's blood. 
 Those bosoms for your country bled. 
 
 Stain not by such foul work the flood ; 
 That blood for vengeance soon shall call 
 The sword of Justice soon shall fall 
 On each curs'd head that bade them bleed. 
 On each curs'd hand that wrought the murd'rous deed. 
 
 II. 
 UngenVous foes, and can you aid 
 
 The vile assassin's coward blow ? 
 And prize the gifts a traitor made. 
 
 Who bade his master's heart-blood flow? 
 And without horror can you tread. 
 Those boards now loaded with the dead, 
 Those boards yet tarni^^h'd with the blood 
 Of youthful warriors, guiltless, great, and good. 
 
 J) The ship's company of the Hermione (originally an English ship of war) had risen 
 on their officers, and had murdered them, with some circumstances of barbarous and 
 atrcclous cruelty, too shocking to relate, and had given up the vessel to the Spaniards, 
 who instead of lending their aid to punish t;o cruel an outrage on humanity, accepted the 
 vessel, and, for a time, protected the offenders ; but the hand of divine Justice soon reached 
 them, and they have now nearly all suffered for their crimes. 
 
 P 
 
106 
 
 III. 
 Hear ye not at still midnight hours. 
 
 What dismal voices wound your ears? 
 Proceed d ey from some heav'niy Pow'rs, 
 
 Or slain chiefs' ghosts, or guilty fears ? 
 Or is it Justice that would try. 
 By solemn warnings from the sky 
 To move fell Av'rice to restore 
 The plunder treason yielded to her pow'r ? 
 
 IV. 
 
 But fell Av'Ricf: is slow to hear 
 
 Wisdom's advice, or Virtue's calls ! 
 Justice at length incens'd draws near 
 
 And on her head resistless falls : 
 Insatiable unfeeling foes, 
 Learn from such *5 Heav'n-avenging blows. 
 That Virtue e'en in war can own 
 But just and honourable deeds alone. 
 
 V. 
 
 Retain ye yet the guiltful prize ? 
 
 See Hamilton at Heav'n's command 
 The fire of vengeance in his eyes. 
 
 The sword of Justice in his hand^ 
 Springing indignan^ on your deck. 
 What can his wrathful ardour check? 
 What, self-convicted foes, can face 
 An angel punishing a barb'rous race ? 
 
 q It should be a warning to all who engage in such crimes to reflect, that Providence 
 seems, by extraordinary interpositions, to have discovered the mutineers of the Danae, and 
 all the ringleaders engaged in such foul transactions this war, and to have brought them to 
 condign punishment. 
 
107 
 
 Have your prais'd batteries no power ? 
 
 Are all your vauntings empty words ? 
 And can three hundred to three score 
 
 Resign, without a blush, their swords? 
 Yes, "^ swords and batteries are vain. 
 And well-arm'd troops an useless train 
 Against the show'r that Justice sheds 
 At Honour's sacred call, on guilty heads/ '; 
 
 VII. 
 
 Learn hence proud Spain, and Britain's foes. 
 Never to use the traitor's art, \ 
 
 By Justice guided Britain knows 
 
 To reach, tho' arm'd, the guilty heart, 
 
 Nor dangers, nor dark hours appal 
 
 Her brave bands, rais'd at Honour's call ; 
 
 Nor numbers, nor superior force. 
 
 Can stop her naval phalanx in its course. 
 
 ' The Spaniards were armed, and prepared for the attack, yet the valouf ajad intrepidity 
 of the British bore down every oppofition. The batteries and vessels in the harbour fired 
 on them, but the English succeeded in carrying her out without any material damage. The 
 enemy had one hundred and nineteen killed, and ninety-seven wounded ; of the British, 
 only twelve were wounded. The vessel is now called the Uetribution : Capt. E. Hamil- 
 ton was created a Knight, and has the honovir of a gold medal foi" the recapture of her. 
 " October 25, 1800, Captain Sir Edward Hamilton (whose briljiant exploit in cut- 
 " ting out the Hermione, happened that very day twelvemonth) dined at the Mansion- 
 " house, London. The Chamberlain of the City delivered the Freedom of the City to him 
 *' in a gold box, and the thanks of the Corpoiation for his conduct in an action, which, 
 '* in the language of Sir. Hyde Parker, must ever rank among the foremost of the gallant 
 '* actions executed this war." 
 
 P 2 
 
ODE XXVII. 
 
 ON THE TAKING OF THE 
 
 LA D E S IRE E, of iO Guns, 
 
 BY BOARDING, 
 
 BY THE DART SLOOP, of 30 Guns, 
 CAPTAIN P. CAMPBELL, 
 
 yuii/ 8, 1800. 
 I. 
 
 V^AMPBELL, a race long known to Fame, 
 
 For many a gallant action prais'd. 
 Whose deeds threw splendour round the name. 
 
 And the brave Chief to honour rais'd ; 
 Again with martial ardour glows. 
 Again unrivall'd glory knows. 
 Again adorns the noble race 
 With fresh wreaths form'd the laurell'd head to grace. 
 
 II. 
 
 Secure at anchor, Gallia's sons, 
 
 (No foe in view, no danger nigh, 
 Their ship well mann'd, and thund 'ring guns. 
 
 All rang'd in proper order by. 
 And Dunkirk's friendly port at hand^ 
 Moor'd near their own vain-glorious land,) 
 Thought all England's efforts vain. 
 To cloud their boasted Safety's brilliant reign. 
 
109 
 
 III. 
 But, Gallia's sons, your hopes are lost. 
 
 If with Old England's fleet at war, 
 You e'er of safety hope to boast 
 
 From the tried fire that wounds afar. 
 Or from the sudden close attack 
 Which these resistless warriors make ; 
 No ! Gallia's boastful sons, with these. 
 The only hope of safety is in Peace ! 
 
 IV. 
 Trust not to cannons, or to swords. 
 
 Or fortresses, the' wall'd and large^ 
 A batt'ry no defence affords. 
 
 Against a fearless Briton's charge ; 
 Your well-mann'd vessels and their guns. 
 Prove but a prey to Britain's sons. 
 See, Campbell comes, and sword in hand. 
 Strikes terror thro' your agitated band. 
 
 V. 
 
 Dauntless his hardy warriors sweep 
 
 The ruffled surface of the main. 
 Braving the dangers of the deep. 
 
 And all the arms yc boast in vain. 
 O'er ^ your ship's sides they hew their way, 
 Like lions rushing on their prey. 
 And all their steps with carnage mark. 
 Rout your whole force, and bear away your bark. 
 
 • Tht La Desiree, national frigate, of 40 guns, long tiventy-four pounders on the 
 main deck, with a complement of 330 men, was boarded in Dunkirk Roads, July 8 1 800 
 and, after a \iolent resistance, carried, and brought out of harbour. Lieutenant M'Der- 
 
110 
 
 VI. 
 
 In triumph bear your ship away. 
 
 In spite of forts, and boasted arms. 
 Close to your shore, where batt'ries play. 
 
 Fill the whole region with alarms, 
 Lest those who thus on ' vessels spring. 
 Might make, your fenced cities ring 
 With their loud shouts, and mount your walls. 
 As from huge cannons rush resistlefs balls. 
 
 VII. I 
 
 "Campbell, the gallant deed is done. 
 
 Thy country celebrates thy name. 
 Reports of thy brave acts shall run. 
 
 Floating along the tide of Fame, 
 While thy prais'd country's foes shall hear. 
 And own from age to age their fear. 
 Lest other Campbells still should rise. 
 To storm their forts, and their arm'd barks furprize. 
 
 MOT, of the Dart, was wounded dangerously in the shoulder, aad as it was feared that 
 the prisoners, who were very numerous, would rally. Lieutenant Pearse gallantly jumped 
 on board, to afford him every assistance in his poiVer. 
 
 * La Poursuivante, of 40 guns, L* Incorruptible, of 40, and La Carmagnole, of 50, 
 and other vessels, Avere deftroyed, or rendered unserviceable. 
 
 o " I did hot think the enterprize of Sir Edward Hamilton, or of Capt. Campbell,. 
 " could have been rivalled, &c." Eart St. Vincent's Letter, August 4, 1800. 
 
ODE XXVIII. 
 
 A CONSOLATORY ADDRESS 
 
 t > 
 TO THE 
 
 FRENCH NATION, 
 
 On the Loss of the Le Cerbere, taken by acting Lieutenant Coghlan, 
 
 July 29, 1800. 
 I. 
 
 vxREAT nation, to whose boasted pow'r 
 All realms that like their heads may low'r. 
 
 And own your so v reign sway ; 
 While rougher Britain, like the wave 
 That swells, her bold bluff coast to lave. 
 Is seldom brought t' obey. 
 
 11. 
 
 It grieves, no doubt, all neighb'ring pow'rs,^. 
 To hear a ship so near your shores 
 
 Should be so intercepted ; 
 But 'tis in vain to fume or fret. 
 For tho' your ship with dangers met, 
 
 "" At sea they 're all excepted. 
 
 III. 
 'Tis said that Coghlan took your ship, 
 .That he surpriz'd her crew asleep. 
 
 At least, not quite awake ; 
 And that it is his way at night. 
 To put good people in a fright. 
 
 And rove about, to rake. 
 
 * The dangers of the sea excepted, a comnaon expression in bills of lading, &c. 
 
112 
 
 IV. 
 
 While some say Falknor, Smith, and he. 
 And Hamilton, and two or three 
 
 Such youths, that had some merit. 
 Sat in the same y school, side by side, 
 And that it was their master's pride 
 
 To make them lads of spirit. 
 
 V. 
 Such sprightly youths, so taught, 'tis said, 
 Whate'er they did, were not afraid. 
 
 Or e'er, thro' dread, seen quaking ; 
 Thus us'd to kicking up a dust 
 Unchcck'd, they, (as of course they must). 
 
 All grew much giv'n to raking. 
 
 VI. 
 Their poor friends sending them to sea 
 They seldom wanted there a plea 
 
 For being out o' nights, 
 Where oft in boats each thoughtless spark 
 Would thump ships quarters in the dark. 
 
 And give folks shocking frights. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Some of your vessels may have known 
 These sparks, when e'en to manhood grown. 
 
 Display uncommon fire. 
 Rouse up your seamen from their flecp, 
 And such a ceaseless riot keep. 
 
 They'd all your best men tire. 
 
 y Sir Sidney Smith, Sir E. Hamilton, the late gallant Captain Falknor, actiiig Lievt- 
 tenant Coghlan, &c. are said to have been all brought up under Admiral Parker. 
 
113 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Long us'd such company to keep. 
 No wonder he that took your ship. 
 
 Should be so giv'n to riot. 
 But ahho' he 's so us'd to rake, 
 He oft finds out the way to make 
 
 Some of your sailors quiet. 
 
 IX. 
 He 's but a boy, 'twas all in fun, 
 Without a ^ cannon, or a gun. 
 
 He could not mean to rake her ; 
 He took her but in jest, 'tis plain. 
 And you may have your ship again — 
 
 Whenever you can take her. 
 
 X. 
 What slyer plot could e'er be seen 
 Than a " net spread to take him in ? 
 
 What thought could e'er be smarter ? 
 For had the trap been duly set. 
 And had they caught him in the net, 
 
 They would have caught a Tartar. 
 
 XI. 
 As he is young you must excuse 
 These freedoms he is apt to use. 
 
 He may in time do better ; 
 
 a He had only small arms in the boat, and only twelve men with him, the other boats 
 not coming up in time ; yet, with so inconsiderable a force, though thrice knocked back 
 into the boat, he carried a ship, armed with ten guns, against eighty-seven men. 
 
 » " Unhappily, in the dark, jumping into a traul net, hung up to dry, he was pierced 
 " through the thigh by a pike, and several of his men hurt, and all knocked back into the 
 " boat." Extract from Sir Edward Pellew's Letter, dated August \ y 1800. , 
 
 Q 
 
'A'r f-.n^ 
 
 114 
 
 Haul up^near forts your ships at night. 
 Lest, should he find one more, he might 
 In the same manner treat her. 
 
 XII. 
 
 As for the gallant men you lost. 
 They might be napping at their post. 
 
 And nod against a sword ; srnor 
 
 Or, )iaply, in a sudden fright. 
 They might mistake things in the night. 
 
 And, so, jump over board. ' ,. ^ 
 
 xm. 
 
 The difference was not so great 
 
 In numbers, when your crew were beat. 
 
 When "^ twenty beat fourscore ; 
 For one brave Englishman of old 
 Could beat three Frenchmen, we are told. 
 
 And he beat only four. 
 
 XIV. 
 It is a mortifying thought 
 Your ship should thus away be brought 
 
 From under all your noses ; 
 
 b " Sir, *' Royal George, at Sea, August ^, 1800. 
 
 *' I did not think the enterprize of Sir Edward Hamilton, or of Captain Campbell, 
 " could have been rivalled, until I read the enclosed letter from Sir Edward Pellew, relating 
 ♦* the desperate service performed by acting Lieutenant Coghlan, of the Viper cutter, on 
 ** the 29th of jfuly. Lp Cerhere, of three guns, twenty-four pounders, and four six 
 " pounders, and eighty-seven men, in a naval port of difficult access, within pistol shot 
 " of three batteries , surrounded by several armed craft, and not a mile from a seventy-foiiT, 
 '♦ bearing an Admiral's flag, and two frigates, &c. 
 
 Earl St. Vincent^s Letter, in the London Gazette. 
 
 •* He had twenty men under his command, but not above twelve arrived in time, to 
 share in the danger of the action. 
 
115 
 
 But this was not the first bold spark 
 That stole a ^ Cerberus in the dark 
 By dint of proper doses. 
 
 XV. 
 
 But the poor d — Is of those times. 
 In pride, and subtilty, and crimes. 
 
 To you were but beginners ; » 
 
 And stealing Cerberus away 
 From them, was merely children's play 
 
 To robbing harden'd sinners. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 But grieve not for your ship, or men. 
 You may recover them ageUj 
 
 If you conduct things right ; 
 The ship you surely may re-take. 
 And in exchange such men get back — 
 
 As have surviv'd the fright. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 You are, great nation, it appears, 
 A race of rare philosophers 
 
 T' improve the world intended ; 
 You, no doubt, have timely learn'd 
 To bear misfortunes unconcern'd — 
 
 When they cannot be mended, 
 
 d Le Cerhere, the French name for Cerberus, who had' a sop thrown him, and was 
 carried away by Hercules. 
 
 Q 2 
 
ODE XXIX. 
 
 ON A 
 
 TELEGRAPH 
 
 CARRIED AWAY IN THE NIGHT 
 
 Bij a party of British Seamen^ uho landed from their boats, on the 
 Coast of France, in the month of August, 1800. 
 
 I. 
 
 JNI O news arrives, no signal 's made, 
 " Whether our English Foes invade 
 
 " Our shores, and sack our cities ? 
 " Or what bold plans they 're forming now ? 
 *' That we should all their motions know, 
 
 " Is what but right and fit is." 
 
 II. 
 
 So the Grand Consul spoke, and swore 
 A messenger must seek the shore 
 
 " And see what there 's a doing ; 
 " Whether the English all are drown'd, 
 " Or whether they 're in Plymouth-Sound, 
 
 " A drinking or a wooing." 
 
 III. 
 The messenger bestrides his steed. 
 And hastes with unexampled speed. 
 
 Where Telegraphs had been ; 
 The English fleet appears in fight 
 Daring their frog-fed foes to fight, 
 
 No signal-house is seen. 
 
117 
 
 IV. 
 
 He pries with circumspection round, 
 At last, asleep upon the ground. 
 
 The officer he finds 
 That us'd the Telegraph to trim, 
 And tell how English vessels swim. 
 
 Aided by waves and winds. 
 
 V. 
 
 He hastens near, and with his switch. 
 Gives him a sly lash o'er the breech, 
 
 " Holloa !" quoth he awaking, 
 " I'm glad 'tis you, I'm safe its plain, 
 " I thought the English come again, 
 
 " The fear hath set me quaking." 
 
 VI. 
 
 " You 're glad 'tis I, your sleepy eyes 
 " Are hardly open yet," replies 
 
 The Courier in a passion ; 
 " A pretty sentinel, to stand 
 " Here on the confines of the land, 
 
 " The watchman of the nation." 
 
 VII. 
 
 " Tho' rather free in your remark," 
 The other cries, " when it was dark, 
 
 " (I'll tell you all th' affair,) 
 " The English landed, (as I found), 
 " And while I slept here on the ground 
 
 " They lessen'd much my care, 
 
118 
 
 VIII. 
 " For from ^ boats, jumping sword in. hand, 
 " They rush'd Hke lions up the land, 
 
 " And fell upon my shew-house, 
 " And cut it, workman-like, all round, 
 " And soon ^etach'd it from the ground, 
 
 '^ Completely, tho' a new house. 
 
 IX. 
 
 " Then bore it in their boats awa-y,, 
 " As some folks confidently say, 
 
 " For fuel for their kettle ; 
 " Others affirm 'twas all a whim, 
 " To let us. Frenchmen, know their trim, 
 
 " And let us see their metal. 
 
 X. 
 
 " The following, morn, when I awoke, 
 " I soon found out th' ill natur'd joke, 
 
 " Which gave me unknown pain ; 
 " I was much mortified, 'tis true, 
 " But having nothing more to do, — 
 
 " I fell asleep again." 
 
 e A French signal-post being observed at a distance, from the English fleet cruizing on 
 the coast of France, the feasibility of carrying it away was suggested by some of tJie young 
 'British officers. A party landed accordingly, in the night, and completely brought 
 away, the Telegraph, signal-house, and all the French signals, while (as the accounts 
 published in the periodical prints relate) the French officer, that superintended the Tele- 
 graph, was asleep at some distance. As this signal-post formed a part of a line of>com- 
 . munication of some consequence, this incident put a total stop to that mode of conveying 
 intelligence for some time, and caused a surprize and confusion that can be better conceived 
 .than described. 
 
119 
 
 XI. 
 
 " A pretty tale, upon my word, 
 
 " But lest it should appear absurd, 
 
 " Should I attempt to tell it," 
 
 The Courier cries, " with me you'll go, 
 
 " And tell the story of your show 
 
 ** And what mishap befell it." 
 
 XII. 
 
 In state the French Grand Consul sat, 
 Dress'd in the coustume, and all that. 
 
 They both are introduc'd ; 
 The story's told, the English blam'd. 
 Much the Grand Consul seems inflam'd. 
 
 The show-man 's much abus'd, 
 
 xiri. 
 
 " Now ar 'nt you prettily disgrac'd I 
 " O'er a Telegraph to be plac'd ! 
 
 " And let the EngUsh steal it ? . 
 *■' 'Tis a foul stain upon our fame, 
 " All the great Nation feel the shame, 
 
 " And, Sir, we'll make you feel it ;'* 
 
 XIV. 
 Quoth he, and bow'd, and made a leg, 
 " Your leave, one moment. Sire, I beg, 
 
 " I'll tell you but what 's true ; 
 " I was content when I awoke 
 « They had not, to complete the joke, 
 
 " Contriv'd to steal me too." 
 
 r\ 
 
ODE XXX. 
 
 A LETTER 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 FRENCH MINISTER OF MARINE, 
 
 Giving an account of the ejccellent state of the Brest Fleet, 
 
 and their capacity to repel all the attacks of their foes, 
 
 while they remain in harbour. 
 
 I. 
 
 i^ITIZEN C— — I, with what pride 
 I view our Fleet at anchor ride. 
 
 Each vessel in her station. 
 So well prepared they seem, and stout, 
 That while, in port, they '11 prove no doubt 
 
 The bulwark of the nation. 
 
 II. 
 
 For if our ships we duly arm. 
 
 And can but keep them safe from harm. 
 
 They '11 make a glorious show. 
 And in return cannot do less. 
 Than strive, at anchor, to repress 
 
 The ardour of the foe. 
 
 III. 
 
 Calm as Philosophers, and wise. 
 They their foes challenges despise, 
 
 And bravely stay at Brest, 
 Nor venture on th' treach'rous deep. 
 Where tempests oft whole squadrons sweep. 
 
 And hostile fleets infest. 
 
121 
 
 IV. 
 
 But lest foes hither should resort. 
 And burn our val'rous ships in port. 
 
 Or with huge bullets wound them, 
 I've ^ three thousand guns at least. 
 Planted to guard our fleet at Brest, 
 
 With forts and batt'ries round them. 
 
 V. 
 
 Now, should the Britons try once more. 
 In spite of all our force on shore. 
 
 On our brave fleet to fall. 
 And thro' our line their vessels thrust. 
 As in Aboukirs fight, I trust. 
 
 They will not take it alL 
 
 VI. 
 
 sFor tho' Great Britain rules the seas. 
 While our ships float in port at ease. 
 
 No danger they '11 endure. 
 And France may keep, I hope, and Spain, 
 Their fleets, while they in port remain. 
 
 From every foe secure. 
 
 f A letter, from the Minister of Marine appeared in all the French papers, in the montfe 
 of September, 1800, giving an account of the formidable state of the French fleet, and 
 intimating " that it wa&all safe in Brest harbour, that there were batteries all round it,. 
 *' and about three thousand cannons planted to guard it, that if the English should venture 
 *' to attack it at anchor, he hoped it would not prove an Ahoukir business, &c." 
 
 g While the French Minister of Marine boasts of the strength and security of the Brest 
 fleet, it is evident that he is not without his apprehensions, from the known intrepidity 
 and enterprizing spirit of the British Navy. 
 
 R 
 
122 
 
 VII. 
 
 Thus mothers, provident and deep, 
 All safe at home their children keep. 
 
 Or in snug corners stick em. 
 Lest should they rove about the street. 
 They with some accident might meet. 
 
 Or naughty boys might lick 'em. 
 
 ODE XXXI. 
 
 ON THE LATE UNPRECEDENTED 
 
 IMPRISONMENT OF BRITISH SEAMEN, 
 
 THE NORTHERN CONFEDERACY, 
 
 To shut all Harbours against the English, and supply their Enemies 
 
 mith Warlike Stores, S^x. 
 
 Addressed to the Inhabitants of Great- Britain and Ireland. 
 
 Myores Vestri Sape mercatoribuSy ac naviculatoribus injuriosius tractatis, hella gesserunt. 
 
 Cicero. 
 
 I. 
 
 . -DRITAIN, when from thy dearest shore 
 The bold ship parts, and tempts the main. 
 
 The brave confess Affection's pow'r. 
 Or feel Love's momentary pain. 
 
 What warrior leaves his native land 
 
 But thinks, as he forsakes the strand. 
 
123 
 
 Of some fond relative, or faithful fair, 
 There left to heaven, and his country's care ? 
 " Britain, for thee, whose healthful air, 
 
 " In early infancy I breath'd, 
 " To whose support, to whose kind care, . 
 
 " Parting, I all 1 lov'd bequeath'd, 
 " While billows roll, or tempefts blow, 
 " For thee I boldly brave the foe, 
 " In air while thy untarnish'd colours fly, 
 " Resolv'd for thee to conquer or to die. 
 
 IL 
 
 " Thou gav'st me birth, on thee I fed, 
 
 " Thy fruitful soil ray wants supplied, 
 " On thy green lap I laid my head, 
 
 " Or climb'd some tow'ring mountain's side, 
 " And saw thy silver surges round, 
 " With the rich sails of commerce crown'd, 
 " And thought, when strength maturing years should lend, 
 " My arms thy wide dominions should defend ;" 
 V So when How^e lower'd Gallia's pride. 
 
 Or when Spain own'd St. Vincent's powV, 
 When Duncan, Holland's courage tried. 
 
 Or Nelson charm'd the Egyptian shore. 
 His voice each British hero rais'd. 
 And sang, as Britain-'s worth he prais'd, 
 " In air while thy untarnish'd colours fly, 
 " Resolv'd, for thee, I'll conquer, or I'll die, 
 
 R 2 
 
124 
 
 III. 
 
 When Av'rice all ^ Amboyna round, 
 
 Her hands in British gore imbrued, 
 When ' Gallia gave the treach'rous wound. 
 
 And stain'd the seas with British blood ; 
 Or when imperious Spain of old. 
 Jealous of her ill-gotten gold, 
 Maim'd Albion's peaceful sons, ^ who pray'd 
 To Heav'n for mercy, and their friends for aid ; 
 All that their country's name rever'd. 
 
 Or valued Honour's sacred name, 
 Indignant rose, in arms appear'd 
 
 To vindicate their country's cause ; 
 And round thy standard, Britain, press'd, 
 And sang, the dictates of their breast, 
 
 . h The cruelty of the Dutch in the island of Amboyna, in the year 1623, is known to 
 every one, when, ir^ order to get the Spice Trade into their own hands, they put several 
 of the English factory to the torture, and to death, in a most barbarous and inhuman 
 manner. 
 
 * At the commencement of the war before the last, several British vessels were wantonly 
 attacked by the French in different parts of the world, some of the ships' companies 
 killed, and the vessels taken possession of, before there was any public declaration of 
 hostilities. 
 
 k Complaints were made of the cruelties practised by the Spaniards, on the captains, 
 &c. of several British vessels trading near the Spanish main. Government was urged to 
 demand satisfaction, during the administration of Sir Robert Walpole, and in order to 
 prove the necessity of decisive measures. Captain Jenkins, among other British com- 
 manders, was examined before the House of Commons, in the course of whose exami- 
 nation it appeared, that the Spaniards had wantonly cut off his enrs, and, in other re- 
 spects, treated him with great indignity, and barbarous severity ; and being asked by a 
 Member, what he thought, while in their hands, he replied, " Thought ? I looked up 
 *' to my God for mercy, and to my country for exemplary and national justice." 
 Stnoi/et^s History of England^ &V, 
 
125 
 
 " In air while thy untarnish'd colours fly, 
 
 " Resolv'd, for thee, we'll conquer or we'll die. 
 
 IV. 
 
 And shall the tyrants of the north. 
 
 While ye in Europe's quarrels bleed. 
 Pour their vast stores profusely forth. 
 
 To arm your ruthless foes, or feed ? 
 While you no friendly ports must know, 
 When surges swell, or tempests blow ; 
 While in dark cells your injur'd brothers laid. 
 Lift their cold hands, and feebly cry for aid; 
 No, the fair isles' insulted sons 
 
 All rush to arms in martial throngs, 
 Join hands athwart their massy guns. 
 
 And vow t' avenge their brothers' wrongs ; 
 And, Britain, swear thy foes shall feel. 
 Their just, their patriotic zeal. 
 In air while thy untarnish'd colours fly, 
 Resolv'd, for thee, to conquer or to die. 
 
TALES. 
 
 TALE I. 
 
 THE FATAL TENDENCY OF INEBRIETY, 
 ADDRESSED TO BRITISH SAILORS, 
 
 KJH ! born to check the native pride 
 
 Of Britain's foes, and rule the tide 
 
 That wildly runs around the strand 
 
 Of val'rous Britain's fav'rite land. 
 
 Ye sons of Fortitude, who brave 5 
 
 The dangers of the swelling wave. 
 
 The raging storm, th'embattl'd train. 
 
 And all the perils of the main. 
 
 Oh ! hear Affection's friendly voice. 
 
 Let early Virtue prove your choice, 10 
 
 And scorn, like Hercules of old. 
 
 The hand of Vice tho' deck'd with gold ; 
 
 Tho' much she promises of bliss. 
 
 The sparkling glass, the balmy kiss, 
 
 'Tis all deceit, these are but baits 15 
 
 To tempt you to Perdition's gates, 
 
 Where doom'd to death, her victims lie. 
 
 And sink to deepest Imfamy. 
 
 Your dangers past, the voyage o'er. 
 
 In safety on your native shore, 20 
 
 The friendly treat, the cheerful glass. 
 
 In Virtue's presence well might pass. 
 
127 
 
 But fly th' intoxicating drafts 
 
 Where Vice conceals her pois'nous shafts, 
 
 Which aim'd by unsuspected art, 25 
 
 Often wound fatally the heart. 
 
 Oft had lov'd William plough'd the wave, 
 Oft had he shewn his heart was brave, 
 Oft had the foe his courage tried. 
 Oft had his blood the ocean dy'd, 30 
 
 And oft had raging seas, and storms. 
 And death array 'd in thousand forms, 
 Prov'd the contexture of his breast. 
 And put his prowess to the test ; 
 
 Oft had his friends admir'd his worth, 35 
 
 And own'd his liveliness and mirth. 
 As round the jovial bowl they sat. 
 And cheer'd their hearts with friendly chat, 
 Talk*d o'er the dangers of the main. 
 And fought their battles o'er again, 40 
 
 While each, to give their pleasure zest, 
 Drank to the mistress of his breast. 
 One morn, the furious storm of war 
 So long o'er ocean heard afar 
 
 Subsiding, and the calm of peace, 45 
 
 Smoothing once more the troubled seas, 
 William receives his seven year's pay, 
 Th' earnings of many a boist'rous day. 
 With all the long-hop'd money too. 
 For shares in warlike prizes due, r;o 
 
 Except what fas abuses stand). 
 Stuck to the agent's glut'nous hand. 
 
128 
 
 Loaded with gold, he steps ashore, 
 
 And views his treasures o'er and o'er, 
 
 O'erhales his thoughts, and pumps his mind, ^^ 
 
 Some expeditious mode to find. 
 
 To squander with the greatest pleasure. 
 
 In shortest time his hard-earn'd treasure ; 
 
 But e're he could the thing decide. 
 
 Love pours in, rushing like a tide, 60 
 
 Swells thro' his breast, and bears along. 
 
 His black-ey'd Susan, known in song; 
 
 Carried by love's resistless streams. 
 
 At once he floats upon the Thames, 
 
 Trips up the stairs, and seeks the street, 65 
 
 Where he and Susan us'd to meet. 
 
 And thinks with rapture on her charms. 
 
 Already clasps her in his arms ; 
 
 Then, as his thoughts succeed in painting. 
 
 Feigns her with perfect pleasure fainting, 70 
 
 To find again her long lost love. 
 
 To find him true and constant prove. 
 
 And rich enough to take a wife. 
 
 And make them happy both for life. 
 
 But in the way Town- Syrens seize him, 75 
 
 And try so well their arts to please him. 
 
 That with enticing arts he 's led, 
 
 Like a poor ox for slaughter fed. 
 
 To his sly tempters' fell abode. 
 
 Where streams of potent potions flow'd, 80 
 
 And tales, and songs, and jests went round. 
 
 Till William's senses soon were drown'd. 
 
12f> 
 
 His dress, his person, and his pay, 
 To his fierce captors prove a prey, 
 Who till a midnight hour keep him, 85 
 
 Then jointly strangle, rob, and strip him ^ 
 To a lone lane his body bear 
 Till morning's searching rays appear. 
 Where with amazement it is found. 
 And duly carried to be own'd. po 
 
 Susan inform'd of his return, 
 (Her heart with apprehensions torn) 
 To seek him to all places flies. 
 At length to where his body lies 
 
 By chance repairs, and swoons away, 05 
 
 At sight of William's lifeless clay. 
 Long long she felt, what lovers feel. 
 But what no language can reveal. 
 And mourn'd a deep internal wound. 
 But to her words no utt'rance found, 10a 
 
 Till at the ebbing of her grief. 
 These heart-felt accents yield relief, 
 « Ah! William, all thy dangers past, 
 " And is it thus thou fall'st at last ? 
 " Sav'd where tempestuous oceans roll 105 
 
 " To die the victim of a bowl ; 
 " Ah ! fatal draughts, that thus could sever, 
 " Two such true love-lash'd hearts for ever ; 
 " Thy absence long I bore with pain, 
 " But wishing thy return again, HO 
 
 " The pain was lost in hopes to prove, 
 " For years, thy fond, thy wedded love, 
 
 s 
 
130 
 
 " But pale with death thy form I view, 
 
 " And in my dying moments rue, 
 
 " That curs'd ^excess that mars more peace 115 
 
 ** Than wars, or storms, or surgy seas." 
 
 TALE II. 
 THE ABSURDITY OF ""PROFANE SWEARING, 
 
 OR THE 
 
 STORY OF BEN THE BOATSWAIN, 
 Addressed to British Seamen. 
 
 JL E gen'rous sons of ocean, hear. 
 Nor treat with a contemptuous ear 
 The friendly counsels of the Muse 
 That all her tuneful skill would use 
 T'assert your rights, redress your wrongs, 5 
 
 And cheer your labours with her songs. 
 
 Ill habits oft in early years. 
 Like pois'nous weeds, or noxious tares. 
 Strike root so deep, and thrive so fast, 
 Scatt'ring fresh seeds at ev'ry blast, 10 
 
 'vrod B \o rniioiv 
 
 1 The British seamen are a most meritorious, but mort thoughtless race, and it is an act 
 of charity to prevent them from falling a prey to the artful and unprincipled, who are ever 
 on the watch to allure and plunder them. A seaman, answering thd description here given 
 of lum, was one evening, towards the conclusion of the last war, seen in the company 
 of some women of the town, mucli intoxicated, his dead, body was found the next morn- 
 ing, tri a naked state, in the purlieus of Fleet-market. 
 
 m Vide an excellent discourse against swearing, in Bmnsay's Scnuons to Sailors, a book 
 ..xnuch praised, and highly valued, by eyery rational and well-informed British seaman. 
 
131 
 
 That spite of all that you can do 
 
 They '11 gain new ground and vigour too. 
 
 And render all your efforts vain 
 
 To crush or root them out again, 
 
 Unless some sudden stroke annoy them i^ 
 
 At once, like lightning, and destroy them. 8 
 
 Train'd to the sea, and us'd to brave 
 The force and risk of wind and wave. 
 Bold Benjamin, while yet a lad. 
 Had such uncommon skill display 'd, 20 
 
 That all his shipmates would admit 
 He for an officer was fit. 
 Which prov'd in time to be the case, 
 For he obtain'd a Boatswain's place. 
 Where he discover'd so much merit 2^ 
 
 That all the crew admir'd his spirit; 
 And in a gale of wind, or so. 
 They would allow him clever too. 
 For he could steer and heave the lead. 
 And it was confidently said, 00 
 
 That when required, on an occasion^ 
 He could e'en try an observation ; 
 In time he might have prov'd a master. 
 At least he might have risen faster, 
 But for one habit which he had or 
 
 ('Twas thought) contrafted when a lad. 
 With so much violence he'd swear 
 Whene'er he spbke, 'twould shock your ear ; 
 
 s 2 
 
13£ 
 
 And then he no precaution took. 
 
 Whether the captain or the cook 40 
 
 He chanc'd to speak to, 'twas the same, 
 
 A broadside first of curses came, 
 
 And then an oath at ev'ry word. 
 
 Sometimes a second, and a third ; 
 
 Such impious speech ! no man could .bear him, 45 
 
 'T would wound a ruffian's ear to hear him ; 
 
 E'en his best friends could not endure him, 
 
 Tho' they would often try to cure him. 
 
 One day, it happen'd, while engag'd 
 In battle, he was so enrag'd ^o 
 
 That he began to curse and swear. 
 As if some Demon had been there ; 
 Such blasphemies and imprecations 
 He utter'd, 'twould have sunk whole nations, 
 Had not a timely musket ball 55 
 
 Completely stopp'd his oaths and all ; 
 For, passing thro' it as he swore. 
 It fill'd his mouth with blood and gore, 
 Depriv'd him for some time of breath. 
 And brought him to the jaws of death ; 60 
 
 For tho' the Surgeon's skill was tried. 
 And ev'ry remedy applied. 
 His case so desperate appear'd. 
 His friends his dissolution fear'd; 
 
 One night while fev'rish grown, and lying 65 
 
 On his sick couch, and nearly dying, 
 
133 
 
 Worn out with pain he fell asleep 
 
 And dream'd of Hell immense and deep, 
 
 And thought he saw a flaming sea 
 
 Heated to such a great degree, 70 
 
 That all the brimstone rocks around. 
 
 Burning for many a league were found; 
 
 Demons, like fishermen, seem'd plying 
 
 About, to catch fresh souls for frying ; 
 
 And one he thought had seized on him, y^ 
 
 " And bade him haste through flames to swim, 
 
 *•" That he, for his known skill in swearing, 
 
 " Might shew him Pandemonium's bearing ; 
 
 " And as he knew the langiage well, 
 
 " Might sue for a snug birth in hell ;" 80 
 
 That standing on the flaming shore. 
 
 He heard the fiery surges roar. 
 
 While the fiend dragg'd him to the sea ; 
 
 But that, while struggling to get free. 
 
 He saw a beauteous angel near, 85 
 
 Who, at his danger dropp'd a tear, 
 
 Approach'd, and gently seiz'd his hand, 
 
 Clearing of all the fiends the strand ; 
 
 Then kindly spoke with accents mild, 
 
 " You have been profligate and wild ; ^o 
 
 " But as your thoughtlessness might be 
 
 *' The cause of your depravity, 
 
 " I'm sent to ask if you'll reform, 
 
 «* If rescued from the present storm — 
 
 " Reform ! upon my " " Do not swear," 95. 
 
 He thought the angel with a tear 
 
134 
 
 Replied, " for this mean vice must be 
 
 ** Offensive to the Deity, 
 
 *•' Must prove the miserable source 
 
 " Of many a sin, and many a curse, loo 
 
 " Produce much wrongs and by degrees 
 
 " Lead to false oaths, and perjuries ; 
 
 " Wound Piety and Virtue's ear, 
 
 " And low'r the human character, 
 
 " No realm that harbours it can thrive, 105 
 
 " No man that's given to it should live." 
 
 Ben, dreading present punishment. 
 
 Thought that he said he would repent. 
 
 But fearing to transgress again, 
 
 Wak'd in a fright, and felt his pain, 1 10 
 
 And while he liv'd, retain'd in mind 
 
 His Saviour's conduct, good and kind ; 
 
 The flaming sea, and black fiends tearing 
 
 Souls dobm'd to misery for swearing ; 
 
 And now much chang'd in mind and feature, 115 
 
 And looking like a human creature. 
 
 He found (recov'ring strength and spirit). 
 
 Promotion equal to his merit. 
 
135 
 
 TALE III. 
 
 ON GRATITUDE TO THE DEITY 
 
 For Preservation from Danger, and the Propriety of the dice Obser- 
 vation of a Day dedicated to religious Purposes. 
 
 STORY OF EDWARD THE PIOUS SEAMAN. 
 
 -tioW pleasant, when a storm is o*er, 
 
 The sun-shine of a tranquil hour. 
 
 When the tempestuous wave subsides. 
 
 And the ship now at anchor rides. 
 
 And each tir'd seaman at his ease ^ 
 
 Lies basking in the solar rays ! 
 
 How pleasant to the feeling heart 
 
 When a friend acts the gen'rous part. 
 
 Assists in danger or distress. 
 
 Gives to the poor or pennyless ; lo 
 
 Defends when injur'd or traduc'd. 
 
 Or nobly rescues when abus'd ; 
 
 How pleasant to the thoughtful mind 
 
 A seasonable hour to find 
 
 To pour out all the thanks that rest i j 
 
 Like burthens on the grateful breast ! 
 
 After a week's incessant toil. 
 Vexation, trouble, and turmoil. 
 Fatigue by day, alarms by night. 
 
 And many a squall's outrageous spite ; 20 
 
 How beautiful the morn appears 
 That gives a respite to our cares. 
 
135 
 
 That yields a leisure hour or two, 
 
 That brings sublimer things to view. 
 
 More real good, more perfect bliss, 25 
 
 Than trifles of a world like this. 
 
 Where sorrow 's mix'd with ev'ry joy, 
 
 And ev'ry good has its alloy. 
 
 And where to gratify the mind 
 
 The wise some better prospects find, 30 
 
 Where Hope the restless soul employs 
 
 On paths that lead to endless joys. 
 
 When sav'd by some immortal pow'r 
 In the fierce fight's eventful hour. 
 In raging hurricanes and storms 35 
 
 When darkest night the sky deforms. 
 Where sunken rocks, amidst the main, 
 Render all human foresight vain, 
 What thoughtful mind, what grateful heart. 
 But pants, its feelings to impart ? 40 
 
 And pay to that immortal Pow'r 
 The tribute of a pious hour ? 
 Where thanks with fervency express'd, 
 Is rapture to the feeling breast. 
 
 Where the ship's different ensigns shine, 45 
 
 And join'd, to form a dome combine. 
 Which shades the " checquer'd deck below. 
 And shows the tints that rainbows show, 
 
 ■ When prayers are read on board a ship of war, the ship's colours are spread over the net- 
 ting above the quarter-deck, which, while they neither quite indulge, nor quite ; epress the lights 
 have an awful and pleasing effect. The deportment of the sailors, during Divine Service, 
 
137 
 
 A solemn awning archwise spread 
 
 O'er the adoring seaman's head, ^O 
 
 A floating Abbey's painted nave, 
 
 Which with its colours dyes the wave, 
 
 And flings o'er ev'ry objeft round 
 
 A solemn gloom, an awe profound, 
 
 Where the ship's company appear, ^^ 
 
 Each in his proper charader. 
 
 With pleasing simple-neatness dress'd 
 
 In well wash'd hose, and Sunday vest. 
 
 To join in grateful unfeign'd pray'r 
 
 To that great Pow'r that form'd the air, 60 
 
 That rais'd the rocks, that rules the waves. 
 
 And those who travel o'er them saves. 
 
 And who in battle knows to spread 
 
 His broad shield o'er the warrior's head. 
 
 And what hard heart that knows the woes, 6^ 
 
 That the tried seaman often knows 
 
 E'er view'd this solemn scene but grew 
 
 Thoughtful, devout, and grateful too ; 
 
 Edw^ard, an able seaman, lov'd 
 
 By all who seamanship approv'd, 70 
 
 is truly exemplary. For whether it proceeds from discipline, or from whatever cause, It 
 is universally admitted by those who have been present on such occasions, that no con- 
 gregation can discover more attention, or more apparent devotion. Though seamen are 
 usually considered as a thoughtless race, they are certainly, in general, much better in- 
 formed than any other class of people of the same rank in life. And the observations they 
 have made during long voyages, the dangers they have witnefTed, and the hair-breadth 
 escapes they have experienced, have had on many a very proper effect, in improving their 
 minds, and ameliorating their hearts. 
 
 T 
 
138 
 
 Who whether rough or smoothe the sea, 
 
 Whether o'ercast or clear the day, 
 
 Or whether storms blew loud and shrill, 
 
 Seem'd cheerful and good-humour'd still ; 
 
 The foremost at his duty found, 75 
 
 But e*er the ^last to quit his ground 
 
 When foe appeared, or dangers press'd. 
 
 Or tempests tried the val'rous breast ; 
 
 No vicious deeds his conduct stain'd. 
 
 No guilty thoughts his bosom pain'd, 80 
 
 A life without offences led. 
 
 Made him face perils without dread. 
 
 And his brave mind above the fear 
 
 That marks a grov'lling character. 
 
 Gave him with just contempt to treat 85 
 
 The impious heart's absurd deceit. 
 
 That would in tempests heav'n adore. 
 
 And slight it when the danger 's o'er ; 
 
 For as on shore, at sea are found 
 
 Some who spread Folly's whimsies round ; 90 
 
 But Edw^ard never seem'd asham'd. 
 
 When Heav'n the raging tempest calm'd; 
 
 Or gave him from the battle's fire 
 
 Again in safety to retire, 
 
 • It is remarked in the Earl of porset\s Miscellanies^ that the man the most remarkable 
 for personal courage was an old seaman noted for his piety. And in a hurricane, or in- 
 evitable danger, it is generally observed, that profligate men, of boisterous spirits, at 
 ether times, prove the first victims of despair, and run to the officer's liquor cases to 
 drown their fears. While the steady seamen of the old school, supported by the hopes of 
 a manly and rational religion, though they calmly resign themselves to the will of Heaven, 
 remain active, intrepid, collected, and persevering at their duty, and have often proved 
 instrumental in saving the ship, when others had given her up for lost. 
 
139 
 
 To praise that Pow*r that gave him breath. 
 And in storms rescu'd him from death. 
 
 95 
 
 One Sunday morn, the boat now mann'd. 
 And all the party's pleasures plann'd, 
 Edward was ask'd to join the rest. 
 And with renew'd intreaties pressed, loo 
 
 The day to jollity to give. 
 With a choice few that knew to live ; 
 But tho' vivacious oft and gay. 
 He lov'd the duties of the day. 
 
 And much more satisfaction found, 105 
 
 From treading Virtue's sacred ground 
 Than in imaginary bliss. 
 To riot on a day like this. 
 Therefore declin'd their invitation : 
 They leave the ship with execration no 
 
 And swearing, cry, " then leave him there 
 " To all the extacy of pray'r," 
 Then to their fancied bliss they fly 
 On wings of treach'rous Gaiety, 
 
 Edward resolv'd his mind to please. 
 In cheerful innocence and ease. 
 Attends the hours to duty due 
 With ev'ry honourable view ; 
 Then gives the rest to meditation. 
 To books, or harmless conversation ; 120 
 
 And, as the cheerful evening ends. 
 Looks with impatience for his friends ; 
 
 T 2 
 
 115 
 
140 
 
 But no friends came, no boat appear'd, 
 
 No tidings of their haunts were heard, 
 
 'Till in the morning it was found 125 
 
 The boat was swamp'd, and all were drown'd ; 
 
 " Unhappy youths," he sighing cried, 
 
 " Ye liv'd in error and ye died ; * 
 
 " Ye still had breath'd the vital air 
 
 " Had the day's duties prov'd your care." 130 
 
 TALE IV. 
 THE REWARDS OF FIDELITY, 
 
 OR THE INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE OF 
 
 MUTINY AND DISOBEDIENCE. 
 
 JlSAiA Calumny's reproachful tongue 
 
 Will never cease to censure wrong, 
 
 Nor to the worthiest and the best 
 
 T' attribute crimes which they detest. 
 
 But with fell force and factious cries 5 
 
 Against authority to rise 
 
 Is a foul play, in which the heart 
 
 Of seamen scorns to act a part, 
 
 And such an odious tragic scene 
 
 In British ships could ne'er be seen, 10 
 
 Or if such a thing was said. 
 
 Slander, no doubt, the story spread. 
 
 Or vile incendiaries disguis'd 
 
 In seamen's dress the crime deviz'd ; 
 
 Tho' a ship once ('tis stated) bound 15 
 
 To the wide waste where thieves are found. 
 
/ 
 
 141 
 
 By such a tragedy was staln'd. 
 Which many a gen'rous bosom pain'd ; 
 For rogues who had imbib'd on shore 
 Contempt for every legal pow'r, 20 
 
 Resolv'd at sea to point the sword 
 Against the heart of all on board 
 Who would not ev'ry effort use 
 To favour their seditious views ; 
 
 By dint of treachery and oaths 25 
 
 A wretch or two in seamen's clothes 
 Were led to aid to calm alarms. 
 And find them necessary arms. 
 Under these odious traitors care, 
 
 Allow'd one day to take the air, 30 
 
 When all was calm from stern to prow, % 
 
 And ev'ry officer below. 
 With hideous yells they wildly ran 
 To perpetrate their barbarous plan ; 
 A convi6l of superior parts, 35 
 
 Whose soul disdain'd their treach'rous arts, 
 Was the first victim doom'd to die, 
 ' On him they rush'd, his watchful eye 
 Their murderous design perceiv'd ; 
 A pond'rous handspike's weight he heav'd, 40 
 
 And fell'd, with a continuous wound. 
 The first assailant to the ground ; 
 And in the gangway's narrow pass. 
 Contending with the mut'nous race. 
 And calling clam'rously for aid, ac 
 
 Nobly the champion's part he play'd. 
 
142 
 
 'Till follow'd by a faithful band ; 
 
 The dauntless captain, sword in hand, 
 
 Rush'd forward at th' alarming cry, 
 
 Resolv'd to conquer or to die ; 50 
 
 A dreadful combat now ensued 
 
 'Till all the rebels were subdued. 
 
 And each base wretch, from whose address 
 
 The mutineers had hop'd success. 
 
 Seeing their error, when too late, 55 
 
 Met at the yard-arm with their fate. 
 
 The faithful p robber now caress'd. 
 
 Who first the mutiny suppress'd. 
 
 The champion of the ship 's declar'd, 
 
 And counts a hundred crowns reward, 60 
 
 And the perilous voyage o'er. 
 
 Is pardon'd, prais'd, and arm'd with powV. 
 
 Thus the repenting convift train 
 When faithful found, may honour gain ; 
 While guiltless men who lend their aid 6^ 
 
 T' abet the traitor in his trade. 
 Sooner or later feel the woe 
 That mutiny and treason know. 
 
 9 The convicts rose on fhc officers during their voyage to Botany-Bay ; G. Barrington, 
 one of the number, because he had refused to join them, was the first person marked for 
 destruction. But seizing a handspike, he defended himself so well, that the captain and 
 the other officers had time to arm themselves, and hasten to his assistance. The mutiny^ 
 after a desperate resistance, w^as suppressed, and some of the ship's company, who had 
 joined the mutineers, were punished at the yard-arm, while Barrington, who had as- 
 sisted in quelling the mutiny, and in saving the ship, was rewarded, pardoned, and 
 preferred. — Vide the Life of Barrington^ and his Voyage to Botany-Bay, 
 
TALE V. 
 THE DANGERS OF DESERTION ; 
 
 O R, 
 
 THE GOLDEN CHAIN AND THE WOODEN LEG. 
 
 VV HENE'ER his King and Country calls 
 For aid from England's wooden walls. 
 To ward off the perfidious blows 
 Of foreign or domestic foes, 
 
 A British seaman scorns to shrink, 5 
 
 But boldly runs to danger's brink 
 To save his native land, and show 
 What passions in his bosom glow. 
 The love of honourable fame. 
 
 And hatred of a traitor's name,-^ 10 
 
 When Britain all her foes repays. 
 And her untarnish'd flag displays. 
 And triumphs all the world around. 
 What British seaman e er was found 
 Who meanly would 1 desert and sneak, t^ 
 
 Lest a French staff his head should break ? 
 Or sure if such a miscreant lives. 
 He's always scorn'd, and never thrives. 
 Henry and Sigismund had tried >:>A 
 
 Together many an adverse tide, 20 
 
 In the same warlike ship had known 
 Many an angry tempest's frown, 
 
 1 Vide an excellent discourse on the evil tendency of desertion, in Ramsay* s Sermons to 
 Seamen, 
 
144 
 
 When one night, led by vicious friends, 
 
 A party Sigismund attends 
 
 To shore, who cut away the barge, 25 
 
 Desert the ship, and rove at large ; 
 
 Then when their wealth is gone, resort 
 
 To ev'ry mischief for support. 
 
 The vessel sails, a Spanish prize 
 
 From AcAPULCO glads their eyes. 30 
 
 A glorious fight ensues, and fate 
 
 Bids conquest on the Britons wait. 
 
 Who, a fine golden harvest reap. 
 
 And loads of wealth on Henry heap, 
 
 W^ho had superior valour shown, 35 
 
 And made the victory their own ; 
 
 To shew their gratitude, his neck 
 
 With a rich golden chain they deck, 
 
 And their brave shipmate's worth reward 
 
 With ev'ry mark of their regard. 40 
 
 The war now o'er, the prize well sold, 
 
 Henry on shore enjoys his gold. 
 
 And showers on the virtuous poor 
 
 The blessings of his copious store. 
 
 By chance a vagrant us'd to beg, 4^; 
 
 In rags, and with a wooden leg, 
 
 Accosts him, and submissly prays 
 
 He'd kindly think of former days. 
 
 E'er Fortune, like apartial mother. 
 
 Had favour'd one and scourg'd the other; ^o 
 
 Henry 's surpriz'd, for scarce a trace 
 
 Of former features marks his face — 
 
145 
 
 'Tis SiGiSMUND, who, sighing, hears 
 
 His friend's success, with jealous tears. 
 
 Laments his own untoward fate. 
 
 Then he tries, weeping, to relate ^j 
 
 What griefs, what woes, desertion wrought. 
 
 And to what mis'ry he was brought, 
 
 How all his vicious friends deceiv'd him. 
 
 And how a privateer receiv'd him, 
 
 Where he had great achievements done, 60 
 
 And many a battle lost and won. 
 
 But lost at last his leg, and lay 
 
 In foreign prison many a day ; 
 
 And then he paints the joys reserv'd 
 
 For those who faithfully have serv'd, 65 
 
 While those, like him, who basely fly. 
 
 In sorrow live, in mis'ry die ; 
 
 Now Henry to relieve him tries. 
 
 But, knowing well his faults, replies, 
 
 " If all your tale be true, my lad, 70 
 
 " No wonder you 're so meanly clad, 
 
 " For their backs oft those rogues betray, 
 
 *' That from their colours run away." 
 
 u 
 
TALE VI. 
 
 THE DANGEROUS TENDENCY OF 
 
 INCONTINENCE AND ILLICIT AMOURS. 
 
 X HE dangers of the voyage o'er, 
 The seaman now return'd to shore. 
 How oft the gold acquir'd by toil 
 Is laid out on a barren soil 
 
 That no productive harvest knows, j 
 
 Or yields but miseries and woes ! 
 Some artful courtezan appears. 
 Melts at the sight in joyous tears 
 When first the wand'ring sailor lands 
 With splendid presents in his hands, lo 
 
 Falls on his neck with such feign 'd love 
 As might a Hermit's virtue prove. 
 Pities his suff 'rings, feels his pain. 
 And swears that seeing him again 
 Gives her poor heart more real pleasure i^ 
 
 Than all the world, and all its treasure ; 
 And plays so skilfully her part. 
 He never once suspects her art. 
 She loves but him — but him — alone — 
 'Till all his hard-earn'd treasure 's gone, 20 
 
 Then she abruptly takes her leave, 
 And — hastens others to deceive : 
 And happy must the man appear 
 That thus escapes her treach'rous snare. 
 
147 
 
 The Peace now sign d, his wages paid, 25 
 
 A seaman once a visit made 
 To the sworn mistress of his heart. 
 Who never play'd an artful part, 
 Who, (if her words could be believ'd). 
 Had ne'er prov'd false, had ne'er deceiv'd, 30 
 
 But always lov'd him, as herself, — 
 Whene'er he brought her store of pelf. 
 She was all rapture, lost in pleasure. 
 And doated on him beyond measure ; 
 For forming from his splendid dress 35 
 
 Of his unusual wealth a guess. 
 She seems to feel Love's ardent pow*r. 
 Livelier than e'er she'd done before ; 
 Joy, passion, transports so sincere. 
 In all she says, or does, appear, ^o 
 
 That feeling for the poor fond creature. 
 He trembles for exhausted nature. 
 Lest wrought to extacies so high 
 She thro' excess of joy might die ; 
 The tempest of her pleasure past, ^r 
 
 A cheerful calm succeeds at last. 
 Kind looks, and tender conversation. 
 Promise more durable flirtation. 
 While ev'ry fascinating part 
 
 Is acted to secure his heart ; ^O 
 
 'Till at length, conquer 'd by her charms. 
 He falls a captive in her arms. 
 Resigns, by kind intreaties press'd. 
 To her the secrets of his breast j 
 
 u 2 
 
148 
 
 Tells all his wealth, and how acquir'd, ^5 
 
 And what fond thoughts his bosom fir'd ; 
 
 She hears him coolly, seems to muse, 
 
 " Truly rejoices that his cruise 
 
 " Had prov'd so profitable to him, 
 
 *•' As some perhaps for wealth might woo him — 60 
 
 " But for her part her conduct prov'd 
 
 " It was his person that she lov'd." 
 
 The ev'ning trifled thus away. 
 
 In all that lovers do or say. 
 
 While th' oft replenished glass is found 6^ 
 
 To hasten its bewitching round, 
 
 Black Night arrives, and on her wings 
 
 Far other cares and projects brings, 
 
 When thfe charm'd fair, that she might prove 
 
 Her fond disinterested love, 70 
 
 Proposes " a grave retir'd walk 
 
 " Conducive to impassion'd talk, 
 
 " Where no sly eye, or curious ear, 
 
 " Intrusively could see or hear, 
 
 ** Save some lone plaintive bird's whose strain, y^ 
 
 " Expressive of a lover's pain, 
 
 " Might less affected breasts inspire 
 
 " With pow'rs to vent their love-lit fire ; 
 
 " For pensive lovers often find, 
 
 «« When fair the night, and calm the wind, 80 
 
 " Near some dark solitary wood, 
 
 " (The moon's beams trembling o'er the flood,) 
 
 " How pleasing all the scene appears 
 
 ^* To am'rous hopes and am'rous fears; 
 
149 
 
 " And when depriv'd of him, she said, 85 
 
 *' Her vows she often here had paid, 
 " Now what a triumph o'er her pain 
 " With him to tread these walks again.*" 
 
 Tho' late, and odd the proposition, 
 He's ready for the expedition, go 
 
 Admires her tafte, and much commends her. 
 And with prompt gallantry attends her; 
 For ladies' wishes, lovers say. 
 Are edicts which they must obey. 
 
 They soon arrive, and praise the scene, g^ 
 
 The night how temp'rate, how serene ! 
 How silent the secluded grove ! 
 How friendly to the reign of love ! 
 What dear soft things the fair nymph said I 
 How tenderly her part she play'd ! too 
 
 How her pat words claim'd admiration ! 
 The scene seem'd full of inspiration ! 
 When sudden — to her great surprize, 
 The dame another party spies, — 
 She's much alarm'd, but calms her fears 105 
 
 Soon as their accents strike her ears, 
 " The voice — the persons top are known, 
 " The dame a cousin of her own, 
 " The beau a gentleman — by birth — 
 " But his means slend'rer than his worth ; uo 
 
 " No doubt, he settles with his dear, 
 " Wedlock's preliminaries here." 
 
150 
 
 Such her account, the parties join. 
 They alJ agree the night is fine. 
 
 That 'tis a most romantic place, 115 
 
 Well form'd for soft love's pensive race ; 
 And then the seaman 's introduc'd, 
 The navy's prais'd, their foes abus'd. 
 And many a shrewd remark is made. 
 And many a compliment is paid ; 120 
 
 While as their talk the time deceives 
 The mind, the walk 's length less perceives, 
 'Till, as they reach a gloomy spot. 
 The beaux in argument grow hot ; 
 Words follow words, and harsh expressions 125 
 
 Preclude all reas'nable concessions ; 
 When, as their passions rise, they fight. 
 The dames feign terror at the sight. 
 And ev'ry sign of sorrow show. 
 
 But slyly aid their batter'd beau, ' ' 130 
 
 Who soon had sunk, did not a sword ^'^^ '' 
 
 His cane conceal'd, its help afford. 
 While suddenly th' ensanguin'd ground 
 Betrays the seaman's treach'rous wound, 
 Whose courage, rous'd at danger, shows 135 
 
 He yet may rout his wily foes ; *^' 
 
 Near a tremendous steep he stands. 
 And o'er it with united hands 
 He's urg'd, and rolls from rock to rock ; 
 The stain'd earth trembles at the shock, 140 
 
 The heav'ns low'r at the deed, and night 
 Grows tenfold blacker at the sight. 
 
151 
 
 Swift the fell harpies now descend, 
 
 And ruthlessly their victim rend; 
 
 Foremost his trait'rous mistress flies, 145 
 
 And falls, regardless of his cries. 
 
 On her maim'd prey, insults his pains. 
 
 And tears out what of life remains, 
 
 Smiles dreadful o'er her murd'rous toil, 
 
 Calls her associates to the spoil, 150 
 
 Divides his treasures, and departs, 
 
 '^ Boasting the triumphs of her arts. 
 
 " Unhappy wretch," her victim cried. 
 In broken accents as he died, 
 
 *' Can female hearts thus cruel prove ? 155 
 
 " Is this the boasted fruit of love ? 
 " No — love adorns the virtuous fair, 
 " Who uncorrupted angels are ! 
 " The fallen fair prove surely worse 
 ** Than devils, and a greater curse, 160 
 
 " Destroy more wretches by their smiles, 
 " Than Satan by his hell-taught wiles." 
 
 t Seamen, from their generous unsuspecting disposition, and their ignorance of artful 
 town intrigues, constantly become the prey of the vicious and the abandoned, and it is an 
 act of humanity, as well as duty, to preserve them as much as possible from ruin and de- 
 struction. At the last peace, 1783, a marine, who had just received his pay and prize- 
 money, was seen at Portsmouth in company with a girl of the town, with whom he had 
 been used to associate. He had been overheard boasting to her of his wealth, which, be- 
 sides trinkets, and some valuable articles he had purchased, amounted to feventy-five gui- 
 neas in crold. At a late hour he was obferved walking on the ramparts with his fair 
 friend, attended by a man, and another woman of the town. The next morning he was 
 found robbed and murdered near the walls, and from feveral circumstances that . appeared 
 iu evidence, it was concluded that he had been first stabbed, and then pushed off the 
 ramparts. 
 
ELEGY 
 
 ON THE DEATH OF THE 
 
 HONOURABLE SAMUEL BARRINGTON, 
 
 Admiral of the White Squadron, af2d Ge?ieral of Marines, who died at 
 Bath, August 16, 1800, i« the 'jist year of his age. 
 
 JVXaN's destin'd fate, no talents can delay. 
 
 No cunning hinder, and no valour stay. 
 
 And all life's seas their fix'd restriction know, 
 
 " Here, and no further, shall your surges flow;" 
 
 Death's certain tide its settl'd hour knows, 5 
 
 And true to the appointed moment flows. 
 
 And swallows in its overwhelming flood 
 
 The old, the young, the vicious, and the good, 
 
 'Till in oblivion's boundless ocean lost. 
 
 The world 's depriv'd of all the world could boast ; 10 
 
 And as celestial influences guide 
 
 Our life's floods rise, or readily subside, 
 
 Urg'd by no storms, and by no tempests mov'd. 
 
 But the fix*d storm by heav'n itself approv'd ; 
 
 For oft by heav'n^s unchangeable decrees, 1 c 
 
 Preserv'd amidst the dangers of the seas, 
 
 Preserv'd in battle from the slaught'ring show'rs. 
 
 The foe's fierce squadron obstinately pours ; 
 
 Preserv'd for years from pestilence or pain. 
 
 In climes where fevers and contagions reign, 20 
 
 On his own couch in dignity and ease. 
 
 Wrapt in the arms of Piety and Peace, 
 
 Mature in age, the gallant warrior lies. 
 
 And feels the force of Nature's tender ties ; 
 
153 
 
 His old tried friends, and relatives around, 25 
 
 To soothe with friendship's animating sound. 
 
 Or soft to fan declining nature's fires. 
 
 Or please with converse ev'n when converse tires ; 
 
 Then, as life ebbing, owns the hour of death. 
 
 Languor's pale lip, and dolour's panting breath, 30 
 
 With trembling hands to close his dying eyes. 
 
 And ease his spirit, flutt'ring for the skies. 
 
 Display the glories of his active days, 
 
 His failings lessen, and his virtues praise ; 
 
 Provide the honours that the dying bears, 35 
 
 His reliques lave with sympathizing tears. 
 
 Dwell with just fondness on his former worth. 
 
 And gently lay him in the lap of earth. 
 
 Thus, tho' repeatedly by clouds obscur'd. 
 
 And many a show'r, and many a storm endur'd, 40 
 
 The sun of life, its fix'd duration past, 
 
 Sets in majestic splendidness at last ; 
 
 Destin'd, tho' hid a little from our eyes. 
 
 Shortly with greater splendor still to rise. 
 
 Thus many a conflict, many a tempest tried, ^r 
 
 Heroic Barrington with calmness died. 
 
 By Friendship honour'd, by Affection mourn'd. 
 
 And by fond relatives in peace inurn'd ; 
 
 The fair Fame valued his past life obtain'd. 
 
 And the bliss hop'd for in the future gain'd. 50 
 
 For his fame's growing lustre with its rays. 
 
 All realms illuriiin'd, and diffus'd his praise. 
 
 And all the various regions of the earth. 
 
 His labours witness'd, and confessed his worth. 
 
 X 
 
154 
 
 With Pride, SL Lucia might remember still ^^ 
 
 His courage, care, and admirable skill. 
 
 When the foe's squadron, of superior force, 
 
 Repell'd by him, or check'd, or chang'd its course, 
 
 His brav'ry felt, and prudently retir'd. 
 
 And curs'd the gallantry its heart admir'd, 60 
 
 For ev n in foes, when brighter fire is found, 
 
 Tho' the blow 's dreaded, yet the valour 's own'd. 
 
 By him protected, Britain saw her trade. 
 
 All oceans traverse, and all realms pervade, 
 
 And found, where'er her well-known flag appear'd 6^ • 
 
 Her fleets respected, and her name rever'd ; 
 
 He lower'd oft the haughty Spaniard's pride, 
 
 AVhen, his vast vessel tow'ring o'er the tide. 
 
 He plough'd with such tyrannic sway the waves. 
 
 As if mankind were born to be his slaves, 70 
 
 And stopp'd or harrass'd Albion's trade, and haiPd 
 
 In furious language all that near him sail'd ; 
 
 But our brave Briton gentler words procur'd, 
 
 And Pride's intolerable frenzy cur'd. 
 
 And shew'd Old England that her ships again 75 
 
 Might sail with safety near the Spanish main. 
 
 For the strong reasons Barrington could find. 
 
 Made Spaniards humble, and e'en Dutchmen kind. 
 
 When war's fierce flames now ravag'd all around. 
 
 And Europe's laws all polish'd nations own'd, 80 
 
 The mercenary Dutch, by int'rest led. 
 
 The foe's troops succour'd, countenanc'd, or fed. 
 
 But taught by him, they Europe's laws revere. 
 
 And soon forget their int'rest in their fear. 
 
155 
 
 A haughty Spaniard harassing his ship, S^ 
 
 Tearing his sails at distance on the deep, 
 
 Brave Barrington bears down, his tried men cheers. 
 
 And this short counsel whispers in their ears, — 
 
 " Your fire reserve, let not a gun be heard, 
 
 " 'Till near enough to singe his formal beard ;" 90 
 
 The humble Spaniard, sick'ning at the sight, 
 
 Retires disorder'd, and declines the fight. 
 
 Crippl'd in war, the British * Lion stood. 
 
 And drifting at the mercy of the flood. 
 
 Glad at th' event, a wily foe appears 95 
 
 To hasten near to rouse the Lion's fears. 
 
 When gallant Barrington prevents the foe. 
 
 Rushes between and intercepts the blow. 
 
 Checks his false ardour, and returns his fire. 
 
 And soon compels him, chasten'd, to retire. 100 
 
 He often Gallia's forwardness restrain'd, 
 
 Her warriors chcck'd, her politicians pain'd, 
 
 And made, as victories derang'd their view. 
 
 Her traders honest, and her traitors true, 
 
 Stopp'd her swift ^Pegasus in full career 105 
 
 With the bold music Britons love to hear. 
 
 When to the sound the nimblest fleets of France 
 
 With quickest movements exquisitely dance. 
 
 When Howe brave "Calpe's garrison reliev'd. 
 
 And saw the wonders Elliott had achiev'd, 110 
 
 » He saved the Lion man of war by exposing his own ship to danger. Vide the Naval 
 Chronicle, No. 22, p. I89. 
 
 ' Le Pegascy taken by Admiral Barrington. 
 
 " At the relief of Gibraltar, when Lord Howe engaged the combined fleets of France 
 and Spain, Admiral Barrington led the van of the British fleet. 
 
 X 2 
 
156 
 
 Refresh'd the hero wearied with alarms, 
 Toils in the trench, and prodigies in arms ; 
 And now returning, gladden'd with the tale, 
 For England steer'd, and spread his swelling sail ; 
 Proud Spain, and Gaul's united squadrons join, 115 
 Condense their force, and form the hostile line. 
 And favour'd by the shades of night oppose 
 His passage slyly with a host of foes ; 
 The fight commencing, Barrington appears. 
 Directs the van, the crouded passage clears, 1 20 
 
 Routs the baulk'd foe, leads on the British train, 
 And of the hostile squadrons clears the main. 
 While the aw'd coasts, and all the shores around, 
 * Britannia's name, and Barrington's resound. 
 
 Soon would the Muse, tho' eloquent her tongue, 125 
 Tho' softest music on her accents hung. 
 The faint ear weary, did her numbers name. 
 The brilliant actions that adorn'd his fame. 
 For, from the morning to the eve of life. 
 He brav'd the tempest of the martial strife, 130 
 
 To each offending foe the gauntlet cast. 
 The first to charge, and to retreat the last ; 
 For ever active in his country's cause. 
 Of honour eager, careless of applause. 
 Where duty summon'd, or where honour call'd, 135 
 No dangers terrified, no fears appall'd ; 
 No storms, no tempests, could his heart alarm. 
 No int'rest bias, and no pleasures charm ; 
 
 * The name of Admiral Barrington's ship in the engagement with the combined 
 fleets. 
 
157 
 
 But where his country's friend, or country's foe, 
 
 Ask'd his kind aid, or aim'd the vengeful blow, 140 
 
 Quick-handed Barrington was e'er prepar'd 
 
 The foe to chasten, or the friend to guard. 
 
 To terminate with promptness and renown 
 
 His country's quarrels, and forget his own. 
 
 (If ever quarrels discompos'd his mind, 14^ 
 
 For so much gentleness no foe could find,j 
 
 So mild he seem'd, and so unus'd to brawls. 
 
 He knew no strifes, but at his country's calls, 
 
 Fashion'd alike to combat or to please. 
 
 In war a lion, but a lamb in peace, 150 
 
 His manners easy, and his conduct kind. 
 
 His words uncull'd, tho' not untaught his mind ; 
 
 Tho' bold, yet gentle, lively, yet not vain. 
 
 Free without rudeness, without bluntness plain. 
 
 Few in mix'd life, his disposition such, 1^^ 
 
 So little studied it, or pleas'd so much. 
 
 So void of pride, so free from all parade. 
 
 That nam'd in private circles, it is said. 
 
 Strangers would oft, who had but heard his fame. 
 
 Ask if he knew " theAoMiRAL'* of the name. 160 
 
 In private life, superior to disguise. 
 The friend of Virtue, and the foe of Vice ; 
 Sedition's terror, just Affection's pride. 
 The poor man's patron, and the good man's guide ; 
 y The injur'd's hope, the guardian of th' oppress'd, 165 
 The weak's support, the help of the distress'd ; 
 
 y He was member of several benevolent societies, and the promoter of sever;,! public 
 spirited institutions ; and by his influence and example, repressed the seditious, itciaimed 
 the vicious, and succoured the distressed. Vide Naval Chronicle^ No. 22. 
 
' 158 
 
 He ne'er saw sorrow but his bosom griev'd, 
 
 Nor knew misfortune but his hand reliev'd ; 
 
 The poor old sailor wand ring and alone. 
 
 No friend to aid, no relative to own, 170 
 
 Ne'er bow'd to feeling Harrington in vain. 
 
 Who ever felt afflicted merit's pain. 
 
 But his prompt charity, and mild advice, 
 
 While he mourn*d misVy, shew'd he hated vice ; 
 
 E'n at the festive board, if passing by, 17^ 
 
 A mournful son of sorrow caught his eye. 
 
 The feast he quitted, while his conduct shew'd 
 
 His greatest luxury was doing good. 
 
 In active stations he, when in command, 
 RuI'd with an easy, but a steady hand ; 180 
 
 Unthinking sailors' father and their friend. 
 Mildness the means, but discipline the end ; 
 He with address their prejudices seiz'd, 
 Aw'd without strictnes, without weakness pleas'd. 
 So justly dealt the praise or censure due, 185 
 
 That they all lov'd him, and rever'd him too ; 
 And thus he gain'd, by gentleness and care. 
 That pow*r that others hardly gain by fear. 
 
 His ship commission'd, and his flag display'd, 
 A want of seamen ne'er his voyage stay'd ; iqo 
 
 For such his character and fame in war. 
 All to his standard crowded from afar. 
 And thought their fortune and their rise secur'd 
 If Bar RING TON their services endur'd. 
 
159 
 
 Were all like him but generously great, 195 
 
 No force were requsite to man the fleet. 
 
 But war-proof mariners, at Honour's call. 
 
 Vowing the foe's subjection, or his fall. 
 
 Would rush to yield their services in throngs. 
 
 To guard their country, and revenge its wrongs. 200 
 
 Tho' he fell ripely like the golden grain, 
 Mature for harvest on some fertile plain. 
 Still his fall sorrowful sensation moves. 
 As harvest's crisis saddens all the groves. 
 When the gay choristers, no longer gay, 205 
 
 No lays attune, or but some plaintive lay. 
 Predictive of approaching Winter's gloom. 
 And each fair tree's inevitable doom. 
 When leaf after leaf with'ring appears. 
 And sapless seems the verdant boast of years, 210 
 
 And when each plant's successive fate is plain. 
 And our sole hope is in their bloom again. 
 
 Mature in years thus Barrington expir'd. 
 By all lamented, as by all admir'd ; 
 By all esteem'd the British Navy's boast, 215 
 
 But now, to all that priz'd or lov'd him, lost ; 
 Lost to the thanks his grateful country pays. 
 The poor. man's blessing, and the brave man's praise; 
 Lost to the tears that silent sorrow sheds. 
 While near his tomb with frequent steps she treads, 220 
 And, unperceiv'd, indulges all the woe 
 The pensive think of, or the feeling know ; 
 
160 
 
 When modest Merit from the world retires. 
 When genius perishes, and worth expires ! 
 
 The Navy long, brave Barrington, shall own 225 
 Thy skill, thy valour, and thy just renown ; 
 With fondness on thy enterprizes dwell. 
 Thy virtues publish, and thy triumphs tell ; 
 And mourn thy death, but hope there yet may rise 
 Heroes like thee to blazon to the skies 230 
 
 The Fame of Britain, and secure her reign 
 O'er the wide empire of the liquid plain. 
 
 Thy country long shall celebrate thy praise. 
 Extol the promise of thy early days. 
 And glory in the splendor that appears 235 
 
 In the rich harvest of thy riper years ; 
 Then o*er thy ashes drop the heart-felt tear. 
 Thy mem'ry honour, and thy name revere. 
 Leave it to Truth thy merits to commend. 
 And bid eternal Peace thy shade attend. 240 
 
 FINIS. 
 
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