 | The Poetical Works of Percival Stockdale |  |
386
THE NAVAL FIRST OF AUGUST, 1798.
A SONG.
YES! Nelson, the Godhead our gratitude owns;
The protector of kings; the supporter of thrones!
Our faith hears his thunder; his lightning we see,
Launched by Howe, by St. Vincent, by Duncan, and thee!
The protector of kings; the supporter of thrones!
Our faith hears his thunder; his lightning we see,
Launched by Howe, by St. Vincent, by Duncan, and thee!
For as soon as the sails of our fleets are unfurled,
Glory smiles on our isle, and enlivens the world.
Glory smiles on our isle, and enlivens the world.
The worst plague of old Egypt through thee will he cure;
For compared with French freedom, who would not endure
Of darkness oppressive the palpable fogs;
The pelting of hailstones; the croaking of frogs?
For compared with French freedom, who would not endure
Of darkness oppressive the palpable fogs;
The pelting of hailstones; the croaking of frogs?
But as soon as the sails, &c.
The Turk feels a joy, not unmingled with fear;
Down the blush of the Czar steals of rapture a tear;
Then, ourselves the Great Nation we surely might name,
Had not France's Directors polluted the claim.
Down the blush of the Czar steals of rapture a tear;
Then, ourselves the Great Nation we surely might name,
Had not France's Directors polluted the claim.
For as soon as the sails, &c.
387
Ye traitors in heart, your malignity cease;
Rail no more at this war; it will dictate a peace:
But with heaven, and with earth still these wretches will jar;
And infer our destruction from peace, or from war.
Rail no more at this war; it will dictate a peace:
But with heaven, and with earth still these wretches will jar;
And infer our destruction from peace, or from war.
Yet as soon as the sails, &c.
While ingratitude chills the seditious, below;
From Olympus new beams of beatitude flow;
Hawke is proud of the laurels that Nelson hath won,
And great Chatham with transport looks down on his son.
From Olympus new beams of beatitude flow;
Hawke is proud of the laurels that Nelson hath won,
And great Chatham with transport looks down on his son.
For as soon as the sails of our fleets are unfurled,
Glory smiles on our isle, and enlivens the world.
Glory smiles on our isle, and enlivens the world.
Durham, Oct. 6th, 1798.
| The Poetical Works of Percival Stockdale | |