POEMS. '■ // /■ „ t7" — THE ip ® m OF A BRITISH SAILOR BY JOHN MITFORD. Tis the ?ong that hath cheer'd me on Death's solemn field, And roii^'d a]J the Wanioi tn life in my breast; Inspiring Religion, it proved a firm shield, When CJnr\ stood tiptoe on Honour's proud crest. LONDON: Printed for the Anil. or li) W. Flint, WD BOLD BY J. HARRIS, CORNER OF ST. PAIL'S C1I1RCH YARD, AND J. HARPER, 4fi, FLEET STK I I I 1818. • ADVERTISEMENT. The render will perceive that the Author's muse soothed him at home, in Egypt, in Greece, in Spain, in Italy: — in sickness, in health, in freedom, and in chains, by land and sea, under every vicissitude of fortune domestic and professional ; consequently, the style, in which the poems are written, is varied — the verse flowing as the feelings of the heart, and little peculiarities of mood, often dictated. Re- finement, correctness, and elegance, it is hoped, 771.438 VI will not always be sought for in vain; and where expectation is not wholly gratified, an allowance will be made for one who was not ushered into a bright and pleasing existence, from the down bed of prosperity and affluence, with all the benefits of a classical education; bit stept at once, in uuinstructed childhood, from the cheerless threshold of bleak obscurity, to be rocked in the cradle of adversity, and hushed to slumber by the voice of the storm. The author will not bespeak good opinion, by quoting the namesof those by whose advice he is guided inthispublication, but rather stand or fall, alone and unsupported. War has been his chief study ; the expause of ocean his prin- cipal book: engaged from Saint Vincent's to the Nile, during a series of eventful years, Vll beneath the protecting eye of the soul-inspiring Nelson, he acquired, from his example, that general affection for the human race, which, he t rusts, forms, by his own merits, the ground work and moral of all his essays, and will insure him the attention of those, who, overlooking trifling critical errors, can be pleased with natural pic- tures, drawn without embellishment, directly from the heart of a BRITISH SAILOR. SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. Andrews, Tho. Esq. 2 copies Allen, Col. Alex. Auber, Peter, Esq. Alibi n, John, Esq. Aung-ier, Mr M. Arthur, Mr John. Adams, T. M. Esq. Anderton, T. Esq. Arneett, Mr. J. Burdon, W. Esq M. A. 6 cop. Boughton, C. W. R Ksq. Blencarne, Lieut. R. N. Brenton, Cap. R. N. Bridg-man, Win. Esq. Bye, Mr. Tho. B.J. Bland, Mr. H. D. Brouyhton, Mr. J. Brod.v, Mr. C H. Berry, Mr. Wm. Barrow, Mr. Tho. Baker, Mr. T. 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Gillio, Mr. And, Domitian like, tortures the fly. 30 But he suffers at intervals horror and fright ; For the demon must tremble and fear, When the shadows of Pichegru, Palm, D'Enghein. Wright, Appear in the darkness and stillness of night — Then his eye sheds the cowardly tear. Hope, the wretch's last friend, from his bosom has fled, And despair dark encircles him round ; Wherever he lies, or wherever he treads, Plants noxious to life rear their venomous heads, And venomous reptiles are found. Here, unpitied, unwept, till the final decree, Let the blood-sated demon remain ; In vain from himself still attempting to flee ; That he tastes not of death let his punishment be, And his conscience his torturing pain. 31 A R M I N DEPLORING THE LOSS OF HIS DAUGHTER. A Paraphrase from Ossian. Alone on the rock, rudely wash'd by the waves, My daughter was heard to complain ; Her cries sounded mournfully sad in the caves, And echoed along the hoarse main. Her voice, ere the morning, died slowly away, Like the murmuring evening breeze, When faintly it sighs through tall grass in decay, And retires from the ear by degrees. Spent with grief she expir'd, and left me alone, Unfit for the combats of war ; The pride of my strength from my bosom is gone, My daughter, belov'd, is no more ! 32 Grown aged and feeble — ah, what could I do ? I lamented all night by the main ; By the moon I beheld her — a dim transient view — But never beheld her again ! When fierce o'er my head the dark' tempests roar, And the north lifts the white wave on high, I muse on the beach, and my daughter explore, As the moon slowly moves up the sky. Half viewless around me my children's ghosts shriek, And seem to confer near the shore. — In pity, oh, answer ! will none of you speak ? — They regard their sad father no more ! Written off the Island of Colonsay, one of the Hebrides. 33 WAR SONG. Hark ! the martial trumpet sounding, Notes that echo loud alarms ; Hills and vales, and rocks, repeating Sons of Britain ! fly to arms ! Sons of Britain ! sons of Freedom ! Draw the sword, raise high the shield ; Haste, for England's future safety, Haste, and dare the bloody field ! God of Heaven! array 'd in glory, Here thy powerful arm extend; Kneeling gratitude adores thee! Sole Protector, Guide, and Friend ! Lisping babes, with arms extended, For protection loudly call : Fathers ! for your children's safety, Forward, forward, one and all ! c 5 34 Son ! behold an aged mother — Mark her locks of silver grey ; On that bosom thou hast slumber'd — There she kiss'd thy tears away. Mark that look ! words can't express it, Loud it pleads, though mute the tongue ; It thrills my soul, my life — my mother ! I, thy child, am brave and young. I, thy child, will ne'er forsake thee, My right arm shall guard thy head ; I, from every harm will save thee — Save, or slumber with the dead. Come then, come thou Consul Tyrant, Wild, indignant throbs my heart ; Haste thee, Freedom's destin'd victim — Tyranny and thee must part. Consul ! hearts united wait thee ; Freedom's banner high unfurl'd, Waves o'er heads that long to meet thee — Conquering, to save the world. 35 STANZAS, Oh the Recovery of a Brother from a sudden and dangerous Indisposition. Oh God of the righteous, the virtuous, and brave ! The Friend of the friendless, and Guide of the just ! Attend to the prayer of a mortal — a slave — i A sinner repentant — an atom of dust ! Accept, for a brother, instructor, and friend, The only return that a world could bestow — For his life — accept praises which never shall end, From a fount whence pure gratitude ever shall flow ! Thou saw him with agony, words can't express — In a moment reduc'd to the brink of the grave — The wife of his bosom ! Thou saw her distress, And stretch'd forth thine hand both to comfort and save. 36 All language is weak — all expression is mean — To sing praises which never, shall never decay ; Be my grateful devotions by Thee only seen, And may silence speak raptures words cannot convey. Mitford Hill. 87 PARAPHRASE OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY SEVENTH PSALM. By the waters of Babylon we sat ourselves down, And remember'd thee Sion, with sorrow and care ; Our harps on the willows were carelessly hung, Our minds deeply wrung with remorse and despair. Our riders with scoffing demanded a song, Saying, give unto God, your deliverer, due praise ; But how could we sing in a land that was strange, Among people who never had walk'd in Thy ways ? May my right hand its office this moment forget, And a captive abroad may I constantly roam — If I cease to remember Jerusalem so glorious, My parents, my country, religion, and home ! Oh, may my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I ever forget thee in trouble or joy ; But requite Thou the children of Edom, oh, Loud! For they cried out, " Away, and Jerusalem destroy 38 K Down, down with it low," they exultingly cried : Oh, Babylon, may misery encompass thee round ; And bless'd be the hand that our cause shall revenge, And see thy proud walls levell'd low with the ground. The babe at the breast shall be dash'd on the stones, The agoniz'd mother unpitied shall die ; The father in chains shall be borne away captive, While our harps praise with joy the Avenger on high. At Sea, in sight of Palestine; on board the Torride gun~boat, 1798. 39 EVELINA; FROM The original Irish of Carolin. On the brow of the valley the white hawthorn hung, On its blossoms I saw the first blush of the day ; The morning delightful, gay, charming, and young, Kiss'd the rose, and laugh'd on us the season of May. Rise, rise, Evelina ! thou soul of my muse, " More lovely than morn in her blushes arise, " More sweet than the rifled rose weeping in dews, " More modest than it when it bends from the skies !" Rise, rise, Evelina ! and cross the bright fountain, Where sweetly the heath-bells are waving around ; For the strawberry thy lover will climb the high mountain, For nuts rob the hazle that shades the low ground. For thee will he twine a sweet wreath of gay flowers ! To thee every fruit of the season he'll bring ; To thee strike the harp in the soft smiling hours, With nature's wing'd minstrels thy praises to sing. to The swan's silver plumage is dark to thy bosom, The azure of Heaven is dim to thine hair ; The pure infant loves in thine eyes are reposing, Surrounded by pleasures, bright, sparkling and fair. Then rise, Evelina ! thou soul of my muse ! " More lovely than morning's first blushes arise, " More sweet than the rifled rose weeping in dews, " More modest than it as it bends from the skies !" 4: A CHARADE.* Soft as silk on blooming bride, Smooth as marble's polish'd side, Streak'd with shades of purple flood, Fill'd with nectar, heavenly food. By Venus and the graces drest, Ever panting to be prest, Veil'd like the moon in thin attire, Through which, discern'd, we nil admire. Tell me, Bertha, what are these, Scarcely seen, yet fonn'd to please ? * The only thing of this kind I ever attempted ; — though approved by those for whom il was written, I decline such a task in future. Lady P. excelled in such compositions. 42 THE FRAGRANT FLOWER. A celebrated, though simple, Chinese Air. The Prose translated in Barrow's Travels. On, how sweet this flower in bloom, Through my bower it breathes perfume ; From the hour of dawning day Thou shalt make my bosom gay. Abroad, thy beauties envied be, At home, thy sweets shall solace me. My senses, cheer — my bosom's pride — Sweet emblem of my beauteous bride : Like my bride — my joy and care, Like her, fragrant, soft, and fair ; Like her, lov'd and envied be, Living but to solace me. Fear not then the zephyr's breath, Fear not then a transient death ; Gently on my bosom lie, Breathing sweets that cannot die. Abroad, my bride shall present be, For all her beauties bloom in thee. i.; PARAPHRASE OF THE CURSE PRONOUNCED ON ADAM AND EVE ; FROM Genesis, Chap. 3, Verses 16, 17, 18, and 19. God to the Woman thus in anger said, Whilst round him awful wonders were displa) r ed " Thy sorrow in conception shall be great, u Multiplied terrors on thy child-bed wait ; " Pangs indescribable shall seize thee o'er, " And rack thy feeble frame at every pore. " To make thy misery deep and deeper still, " Bend thou subservient to thy husband's will ; " Let him rule o'er thee with imperial sway, " And be it thy bounden duty to obey." The God who stood before them all confest, This solemn curse to Adam next addrest : — " Because thou hearkened to thy sinning wife, " Despising Me, sole author of thy life ! 44 ** And touch'd that fruit, which I, the Almighty I, " Said, when thou eat'st of ' thou shalt surely die !' " For thy sake, cursed is the fruitful ground, " Curst every green herb that thereoii is found ; " The stream henceforth shall in pollution flow, " And poisonous herbs in rank profusion grow. " To check the growth of seed throughout the land, " And mar the produce of thy labouring hand ; ' ' Thy bitter bread in sorrow shalt thou raise, " In sorrow shalt thou eat it all thy days ; " Each morn renewing thy sad painful toil, " Thy life supporting from a sterile soil. " Ah ! man misled, now to perdition hurl'd, " Ah ! wretched father of a wretched world ! " Through countless ages curst shall be thy name, " Curst in thy disobedience, guilt, and shame ; " Millions unborn thy solemn fate shall mourn, " For dust thou art, and shall to dust return !" For ever from them straight he wing'd his way, To peaceful regions of eternal day ! 45 s T A N Z A S, WRITTEN IX A THUNDER STORM. Loud rolls the thunder on my ear, Uliie lightnings flash across the sky: The guilty shrink with pallid fear, And dread the bolt which passeth by. Thou abject wretch ! unfit to live, Whose guilt exiles thee from the day, Repent — for He can thee forgive, Who wings the lightning's devious way. In conscious safety calm he hears, The storm that rages from above ; Whose breast religion's fervor cheers, Whose hopes are fix'd on heavenly love. 46 I love to hear the explosion loud, To fix serene my wandering eye, Where, gleaming from the opening cloud, Successive meteors light the sky. To mark the gathering tempest lour, Advancing awful, deep, and strong, To hear the wild wind bring the shower, This silent, listening vale along. How still and solemn is this pause, All nature shrinking waits the sound ; Dark clouds dispart — the eternal cause, With deep convulsion shakes the ground. More quick and short the rattling peals, Near, and still nearer, now they roll; Sedately conscious virtue feels The jarring crash that rends the pole. Thou dread Unknown ! on Thee I call, Whose nod the elements obey, If I must fall — oh ! speed my soul, To realms of everlasting day. I feel my soul inspir'd by Thee, Expanding from her clay abode ; On heavenly wings in thought I flee, To Thee my Guard, my Guide, and God. 47 Thine only Son with glad surprize I see, while kneeling worlds adore, And hear Him say, " My child, arise, " Come to these arms, and sin no more." Oh ! come those sweets that never cloy, Which Hearen for mortals has in store ; A day of never-ending joy, That dawns in peace to close no more. Then rage the tempest in its might, With sure and certain hope I stand, Convinc'd the bolt will fall aright, When hurl'd from Thy all-mighty hand. Mitford Hill, 1801. 18 DUNCAN MACRAY. The bright star of eve had arose o'er the mountain, The toil-worn-out shepherd bent homeward his way, When, reclin'd on his staff by the side of a fountain, Where Brinkburn's high turrets look proud in decay,* In the garb of a sailor, with aspect of sorrow, From which painting the lines of distraction might borrow, Death's last livid gleam shew'd each pain-wrinkled furrow. That disfigur'd the face of poor Duncan Macray. For strength and true courage, for manliest beauty, Who once was so fam'd, so admir'd as he ? War's trumpet resounded, he deem'd it his duty To join Britain's heroes — the lords of the sea ! Vain were the tears of a fond aged mother, And vainly implor'd a lov'd sister and In-other, Awhile glory steel'd him affection to smother — He kiss'd them, he bless'd them, and hurried away. ' Brinkburn Abbey, a romantic ruin, situated on the bon'< of Noil limn Sorhmil . 19 The wide streaming Nile saw him combat for glory, Which he gain'd on the ruins of Britain's proud foe ; The wave of Trafalgar beheld him all gory, Hurl death from the deck where a Nelson laid low. Before Saint Domingo he levell'd the thunder, Winch wrapt in fierce flame the vile miscreants of plunder ; From the first post of danger no mortal could sunder, The champion of Tweed — noble Duncan Macray. At his post he was found, though from wounds scarce recover'd ; The cold damps of night had enfeebled his frame, The pestilent death o'er his hammock had hovcr'd, And left but of Duncan the heart and the name ! Discharg'd from the service, he thought of his mother; In the dreams of the night saw his sister and brother, With prize-money plenty, their griefs would he smother, And make life's fond eve pass more bright than the day. Steering north on the coach, how his eye wandered wistful ! Fond fancy the horses outstript in their speed ; Berwick gates he has enter'd, when joyous and blissful, He pae'd up the ever-dear banks of the Tweed. Clear were the sun's rays bespangling the river, And flowers on its margin as blooming as ever ; Its village-smoke rises, and never, ah! never, Had he felt such pure joy since he wander'd away. n 50 O'er the Routing Linn* head he sprang heedless and lightly, A thousand fond thoughts in his bosom arise; A female in white to his cottage tript sprightly, He thought 'twas his sister — joy stream'd from his eyes. Through the woodbine he planted, the window entwining, He look'd, and saw pleasure on three faces shining: For a mother's caress his soul ardently pining — Sprang over the threshold poor Duncan Macray. A mother was there — a fond sister and brother — In plenty, contentment, and every thing gay ; But the pledge Duncan sought, it belong'd to another, They knew not the form of poor Duncan Macray ! " A fever rag'd here, and thy brother departed, Thy parent and sister expir'd, broken hearted, For thee !" — Thrill'd with horror the mariner started, Trembling, feeble, dejected, he wander'd away ! The bright star of eve hath oft rose o'er the mountain, The toil-worn-out shepherd bent homeward his way ; No longer reclin'd on his staff at the fountain, Is tiie mariner's form at the t gloaming of day. * Routing' Linn, where the river precipitates itself over a range of rifted rocks into a deep gulf below, boiling around in various eddies before it finds a free passage ; it is called in the north of England, and I apprehend also in Scotland, a Linn. t Gloaming, Scotch ; English, twilight. 51 From his stone by the rill this sad story I borrow, It marks the lone spot where he sank down in sorrow ; Where he slept — 'twas for ever — no sun of to-morrow E'er shone on the snff'rings of Duncan Macray. d 'i 58 SONG.* Fresh and strong the breeze is blowing, As yon ship at anchor rides ; Sullen waves incessant flowing, Rudely dash against her sides : So my heart its course impeded, Beats within my perturb'd breast ; Doubts, like waves, by waves succeeded, Rise, and still deny it rest. Additional Stanzas. Cease, fond heart, thy constant beating, Cease, and think thy lover true; Yes, he wept ! when hence retreating, Sad, he sigh'd a long adieu ! * The shortness of the above admired little song- induced me, at the desire of a lady, to lengthen it by two additional stanzas. 53 Ocean ! cease thy troubled roaring, Billow ! rise in storm no more, Waft him safe, whose loss deploring, Ever thus I tread the shore. 54 BUONAPARTE'S ADIEU TO ELBA. Adieu, lonely Elba, thou eye-sore to me, Thou cold stony prison firm fixed in the sea ; The moss-cover'd rocks on thy wave-beaten shore, Shall echo my slow wayward footsteps no more. I hate thee ! thou ill-boding island of woe ! With pleasure I leave thee, enraptured I go ; Glory calls me — elated, her voice I obey, And Austerlitz sun shall again cheer the day. Thou check to ambition, thou bar to my fame, Thou blast to my fortune, thou stain on my name ; I hate thee ! thou rock ! by ill- chance rudely driven, A wreck on thy shores ! by the mandate of Heaven. Those fools who could dream I would dwell on thy shore, Shall be wak'd from their visions of folly once more ; My hatred to them, and to thee I proclaim, And I'll raise on their ruin my footsteps to fame. 55 STANZAS ON A YOUNG SAILOR SLEEPING. O'er the boundless ocean roaming, "What hath hope to do with me ; Life's day hast'ning to the gloaming, Yet no sign of peace I see. Sleep, oh, sleep, my sailor-boy i Gently sleep, my sailor-boy. Youthful sailor, tranquil sleeping, Whilst the moaning night-winds rave, Dream'st thou that some dear friend weeping, Shall with flow'rets strew thy grave ? And bid thee rest in heavenly joy — For ever rest, poor sailor-boy ! Vain is hope, for damning slander Will assail thy spotless name ; Long and weary wilt thou wander, Ere thou gains't an honest fame. Time will fairy dreams destroy, Sleep in peace, my sailor-boy ! 56 Youth's bright day spent on the billow, Faint Hope smiles, and distant all ; Lightly on thy early pillow, Heavenly visions peaceful fall. Sleep secure, and dream of joy. Softly sleep, my sailor-boy ! Near the Shetland Isles, in a severe gale of wind. 51 G L~0 R Y. Haste to the field where glory leads Her daring sons, a dauntless throng ; Where stretch'd on earth the soldier bleeds, Yet pours the valour-breathing song. Haste to the field where every eye Displays the spirit of the soul : Where streaming banners float on high, And thunders shake the distant pole. Lo, mounted on his fiery steed, The warrior bounds along the vale ; 'Tis Glory calls, nor does he heed The shriek of death, on ev'ry gale. Lo, from the turret's airy height, Wide-spreading fires of vengeance play ; 'Tis Glory lej^ds him to the fight, And points through flames the warrior's way. B 5 58 Lo, mark from yonder vaulted steep, The fleets meet dreadful on the wave ; "Tis Glory smooths the angry deep, Her vot'ries scorn a wat'ry grave. Hail, Glory ! once inspir'd by thee, My youthful heart beat proudly high, Scorn'd all the terrors of the sea, And bade Britannia's vengeance fly. False, fleeting hopes, now all at rest I Can Glory change a mortal's doom ? Can Glory animate the dust, And raise my Ellen from the tomb ? Glories of earth ! a long adieu ! Ye only lead to dark despair ; On Heaven alone I bend my view, Where Glory lives exempt from care. At Sea, near the Island of Jenedos. 59 STANZAS ON THE BIRTH-DAY OF THE HON. HENRY FREDERICK JOHN JAMES PERCEVAL. Written hy desire of Viscountess PercevaL Noble in blood, for early virtues fam'd, Born to fulfil a mother's fondest prayer ; Like him, with hallow'd love be Spencer nam'd, Be still thy chief concern, thy country's care. When many a birth-day o'er thy head hath past, And many a laurel twines thy manly brow, May every year prove brighter than the last, As springs the patriot up to public view. In thee still lives that ever honour'd name, Which stemm'd the torrent of intemp'ratc zeal; Then fell, pronoune'd by foes exempt from blame, And mourn'd by all that could for virtue feel. CO Though Spencer fell, the vile assassin's mark, Bedew'd with tears, embalm'd with many a sigh, That name, that soul, still lives — that hallow'd spark, Kindled by Heaven, can never, never die. Oh, soft and mildly, yet it lives in thee, Fair opening to the dawn, I see it rise : That generous spirit — open, bold, and free, Which Britain's glory more than life will prize. Fly swift ye years, and to the senate bring This gallant champion in fair Freedom's cause ; Whose flow of eloquence from truth's pure spring, Shall humble France, and strengthen England's laws. Friend of thy Prince ! stand firm at his right hand, And from his eyes false reasoning's film remove ; Teach him this truth — " To ride a happy land, The crown's best safeguard is the people's love." Like Spencer, rise a beam of heavenly light, — Yes, thou wilt early emulate his fame ; Champion of Britain, rise in youthful might, Surpass thy relative's illustrious name. Then shall thy Mother clasp thee to her heart, With joyful pride which angels might approve, To see thee act the able statesman's part, Blest with thy Sovereign's and the People's love. Curzotl Street, May Fair. 61 REFLECTIONS ON THE PROGRESS OF VICE. How fair arose the opening morn, How bright and blooming was the sky ; The sun beams banish'd gloom forlorn, Despair fled sorrow's waking eye. Pass a few hours — how chang'd the scene ! Dark clouds obscure the face of Heaven; And o'er the forest's crest of green Are tempests wing'd, by fury driven. Thus useless thought life's tablet strews With fairy scenes, too bright to last ; And folly's child directs his views Of time to come, by what is past. How bright the early dawn of youth ! How smooth and pleasant all liis ways ! In opening manhood, Heaven-born truth Revolts at flattery, smiles, or praise. 62 Soon dark and dreary sets the sun Upon his short and virtuous day : His race of happiness is run, And passion seizes on her prey. Awhile he struggles with the flood, Then yielding, travels with the stream That winds through folly's tangling wood, And lulls Ins sovd in pleasure's dream. Too late to turn, he forward glides, Through tempting snares of vicious ease ; But soon the stream on winch he rides, Expanding, shows oblivion's seas. Pale terrors croud on every side, Repentance calls him to the shore ; But chain'd to vice by stubborn pride, He plunges headlong hi the tide, — Shrieks, struggles, and is seen no more. Palermo, 1799. 63 ELEGIAC STANZAS, WRITTEN During a calm Evening near Cape Trafalgar, on board His Majesty's Skip, Canopus, November, 1811. How gay the sun shines on Trafalgar's height, How mild the waters murmur on the shore, As though yon rocks ne'er shook with rude affright, Or ocean trembled at the cannon's roar. The gentle stream from Lucar's vine-clad hill, In tranquil silence varying sweeps the dale ; The fisher's* evening pipe sounds quick and shrill, Aloft the fruit-boat spreads her fragrant sail. * The Spanish fishermen, when lowering the net into the sin, join in a hyinn to the Virgin for success, which the man at the helm accompanies on a flageolet; this evening- there were upwards of three hundred boats employed in this pleasing occupation, and an equal number laden with fruit for the sup- ply of Cadiz. 64 On azure skies the vessel seems to sleep, Scarcely a zephyr curls old ocean's brow, Which on Trafalgar's morn lour'd black and deep, When vict'ry lash'd him from her Nelson's prow. Here, on this spot, the pride of France and Spain, Mov'd in majestic pomp before the wind ; And humbled here, they swell'd the victor's train, Who swept the shores, and left but wrecks behind. On yon proud hills suspense had ta'en her stand, Ten thousand peasants rais'd enquiring eyes, The flower of Spain on Cadiz crowded strand, Breath'd zeal's strong pray'rs and holy hope's fond sighs. Some parent, lover, sister, brother, friend, From ev'ry turret wav'd a last adieu ! And answering guns, from either navy send Back to their friends the thanks of every crew. Thanks, that on earth they'll never more repeat, For round the Puntals* guarding Leon's isle, Bursts on their view the gallant British fleet, Led by th' unconquer'd Hero of the Nile. Spread, Villeneuve, spread thy squadrons to the main, And wind Langaka through Trafalgar's shoals, Extend thy crescent, ev'ry effort's vain, Vengeance would reach thee, sheltered by the poles. * Two forts, so colled, defending the entrance to Cadiz harbour. 65 It comes, it hastes — the hour of wrath and woe ; Long slumb'ring vengeance is arous'd at last ; Horror's domain spreads high, hell's gulph below Yawns wide, and mis'ry howls upon the blast. Conquest and death ride on the light'ning's blaze, " With meteor standard to the winds unfurl'd ;" And dazzling glory, bright, round Nelson plays, Whose mandates shake, convids'd, the wat'ry world. Masts, yards, and streamers, booms, and shiver'd sails, Yield with rapidity to Briton's fire ; Aloft ! below ! wild flames are fed by gales, And helpless thousands in despair expire. Redoubling thunders roll from east to west, Mingled with conq'ring cheers, and life's last cries ; Lo, Nelson bleeds — he sinks on Vict'ry's breast, Who bears his soul immortal to the skies ! Calmness succeeds, the day of vengeance o'er, Mercy extends her hands on every side ; A Blackwood* hastes each sinking wreck t'explore, And rescues hundreds from the raging tide. * Sir James Blackwood in the Euryalus frigate, with an intrepidity never surpassed, ventured amongst the sinking and burning wrecks on a dangerous lee shore, and rescued hun- dreds from the jaws of death ; — the Spaniards bore grateful testimony to his humanity. Downshire, in Ireland, has the honour to claim this truly gallant seaman: his family have lon! #. This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Us *|& C aJ- REMINGTON RAND INC. 20 213 (533) /Tfer U n ™f'scly ol CaWorn ia . Los Angeles L 007 060 289 1 »v;2Ka