 | John Clare: The Midsummer Cushion |  |
349
OCEAN GLORIES
Come all you seamen bold who have fought side to side
Come gallant fellows all lend an ear
Tis of an admirals fame
Brave Grenville called by name
How he fought on the main scorning fear till he died
& won a naveys fame you shall hear
Come gallant fellows all lend an ear
Tis of an admirals fame
Brave Grenville called by name
How he fought on the main scorning fear till he died
& won a naveys fame you shall hear
The first of seven ships was his own for to meet
The Spaniards line of sail fifty five
& spite of shot & ball
He sailed amidst them all
& there his ship revenge kept at bay their whole fleet
Till scarce a gallant heart beat alive
The Spaniards line of sail fifty five
& spite of shot & ball
He sailed amidst them all
& there his ship revenge kept at bay their whole fleet
Till scarce a gallant heart beat alive
Come gallant boys he cried I will lead—who will fight
Lives there a soul on board that would run
& out their courage burst
Each tried which should be first
Where hell had een turned tail in despair at the sight
Each rushed on glorys throne to his gun
Lives there a soul on board that would run
& out their courage burst
Each tried which should be first
Where hell had een turned tail in despair at the sight
Each rushed on glorys throne to his gun
The Spanish thunder burst on their ship all around
& courage felt a shock so severe
But like a rising sun
The gloom was oer & gone
When Grenvilles cheer was heard English tars keep your ground
I lead you on to fight not to fear
& courage felt a shock so severe
But like a rising sun
The gloom was oer & gone
When Grenvilles cheer was heard English tars keep your ground
I lead you on to fight not to fear
Their masters brave commands they did back all along
& the bravest nailed the flag to the mast
Brave brothers he did cry
We'll fight on till we die
To him the cannons noise was a song was a song
& thus they stood it on to the last
& the bravest nailed the flag to the mast
Brave brothers he did cry
We'll fight on till we die
To him the cannons noise was a song was a song
& thus they stood it on to the last
Bold Grenville met a shot & was brought to the ground
& courage for a while forced to bow
They dressed his wounded head
& sorrow quickly fled
When they the laurel saw springing up from the wound
& glory weaving wreaths for his brow
& courage for a while forced to bow
They dressed his wounded head
& sorrow quickly fled
When they the laurel saw springing up from the wound
& glory weaving wreaths for his brow
350
For still he lived & cried fight it on we will buy
A victory our foes cannot reap
Lay me in glorys bed
On the quarter deck he said
That I may face my foes & command till I die
& then in honours grave I will sleep
A victory our foes cannot reap
Lay me in glorys bed
On the quarter deck he said
That I may face my foes & command till I die
& then in honours grave I will sleep
A tallisman to all was his sun ere it set
& glory they pursued to the grave
They fought it on & stood
Till their decks were washed in blood
& when their shot was spent they must yield & they met
A fame which battles won never gave
& glory they pursued to the grave
They fought it on & stood
Till their decks were washed in blood
& when their shot was spent they must yield & they met
A fame which battles won never gave
| John Clare: The Midsummer Cushion | |