A Metrical History of England Or, Recollections, in Rhyme, Of some of the most prominent Features in our National Chronology, from the Landing of Julius Caesar to the Commencement of the Regency, in 1812. In Two Volumes ... By Thomas Dibdin |
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| II. |
 | A Metrical History of England |  |
Now Continental freedom loses hope,
And Bonaparte triumphs o'er the Pope.
At sea two proud achievements gild the page,
Each unsurpass'd in any clime or age;
First Jervis, long to be remember'd name!
Against Iberia wins immortal fame;
Fifteen to twenty-five! St. Vincent's saw
The gallant Briton give the Spaniard law.
Next Duncan's prowess claim'd no less renown
When Holland struck her flag off Camperdown.
Our pious Sovereign and his joyful Court,
In solemn state to Paul's proud fane resort;
Preceded by the lads whom Vincent, Howe,
And Duncan, led to fame; they grateful bow
Before the Giver of success; display,
And consecrate the trophies of the day.
Impartial verity, alas! compels
What with reluctance the historian tells:
The bulwarks of our empire o'er the main,
Bring on their name a momentary stain;
Britain had ne'er such cause to mourn, before
Her Naval sons' defection at the Nore;
And never may such cause occur again.
The leader punish'd of the daring plot,
Alike his crime and mem'ry be forgot!
France sends her heroes to invade North Wales,
Thro' Taffy's zeal the well-meant project fails.
Lord Malmesbury is sent once more to treat
Of peace, our foes the kind intent defeat.
The King of Prussia and John Wilkes, of whom
We twice have spoken, seek the silent tomb.
Hibernia, sister of our Isle!
With whom to share sweet Union's smile
Is ev'ry honest Briton's aim,
Why shou'd the Muse those ills proclaim
Which from our mutual foemen sprung!
To discord shall the harp be strung?
No, brother Pat, tho' rudely sung,
My wild attempt would fain combine
The blended beauties of the nine;
And above all to sing of thee
With most fraternal harmony.
And Bonaparte triumphs o'er the Pope.
At sea two proud achievements gild the page,
Each unsurpass'd in any clime or age;
First Jervis, long to be remember'd name!
Against Iberia wins immortal fame;
264
The gallant Briton give the Spaniard law.
Next Duncan's prowess claim'd no less renown
When Holland struck her flag off Camperdown.
Our pious Sovereign and his joyful Court,
In solemn state to Paul's proud fane resort;
Preceded by the lads whom Vincent, Howe,
And Duncan, led to fame; they grateful bow
Before the Giver of success; display,
And consecrate the trophies of the day.
Impartial verity, alas! compels
What with reluctance the historian tells:
The bulwarks of our empire o'er the main,
Bring on their name a momentary stain;
Britain had ne'er such cause to mourn, before
Her Naval sons' defection at the Nore;
And never may such cause occur again.
265
Alike his crime and mem'ry be forgot!
France sends her heroes to invade North Wales,
Thro' Taffy's zeal the well-meant project fails.
Lord Malmesbury is sent once more to treat
Of peace, our foes the kind intent defeat.
The King of Prussia and John Wilkes, of whom
We twice have spoken, seek the silent tomb.
Hibernia, sister of our Isle!
With whom to share sweet Union's smile
Is ev'ry honest Briton's aim,
Why shou'd the Muse those ills proclaim
Which from our mutual foemen sprung!
To discord shall the harp be strung?
No, brother Pat, tho' rudely sung,
My wild attempt would fain combine
The blended beauties of the nine;
And above all to sing of thee
With most fraternal harmony.
Sir John Jervis with 15 sail attacked a Spanish fleet of 25, passed rapidly through their line, tacked, and separated one third from the main body, after a partial cannonade, which prevented their rejunction in the evening; by which manœuvre 4 line of battle ships were taken, and their whole fleet defeated with very trivial loss to the English.
| A Metrical History of England | |