The Poetical Works of Robert Anderson | ||
OUR SAILORS.
Be mindful of his merit!
And when again you're plung'd in war
He'll shew his daring spirit!”
Those who our liberties maintain,
Who fearless triumph on the main—
Our Sailors!
Are threaten'd by tyrannic foes,
Who first espouse the glorious cause?
Our Sailors!
And scare his navies o'er the flood—
Destroy them, for our country's good?
Our Sailors!
Who always shew the gen'rous heart?
Who're dup'd by many a villain's art?
Our Sailors!
Nor sorrow's tale refuse to hear;
Each helpless outcast proud to cheer?
Our Sailors!
Who death and danger nobly dare?
Who bravely conquer, but to spare?
Our Sailors!
With ev'ry dainty earth affords?
Who pity Gallia's vaunting hordes?
Our Sailors!
Who bear the pestilential breeze?
Who taste not luxury nor ease?
Our Sailors!
Toil, fearless, on the giddy mast,
Or, cheerful sing, of dangers past?
Our Sailors!
In battle's rage, terrific storm,
When light'nings blue Heav'n's face deform?
Our Sailors!
When many a merry comrade's lost,
Still happy Albion make their boast?
Our Sailors!
Domestic pleasures—social ties—
Woe unto him who dare despise
Our Sailors!
Nor deeds oppressive dare conceal,
But tell the pangs they're doom'd to feel,
Our Sailors!
Eager to press some kindred hand,
While friendship greets along the strand,
Our Sailors!
An honest welcome, free from guile,
These make forgetful of past toil
Our Sailors!
And from each dear connection tear
Men, who should be their country's care,
Our Sailors!
That to the tender's putrid hold
Fell hirelings, cow'rdly, force the bold,
Our Sailors!
Mr. Edward Rushton, of Liverpool, Bookseller. The Poems of this Author discover extraordinary powers of mind, and genuine feeling. During the years of youth, he served as Doctor, on board a Liverpool trader; and it was owing to this circumstance, that he felt so deeply the cruelties inflicted on our brethren, the Sons of Africa. He was unfortunately deprived of sight, on the coast of Guinea; and for upwards of thirty years laboured under that melancholy calamity, respected and pitied by all ranks of mankind. During this period, he used every exertion for the suppression of that disgraceful traffic, the Slave Trade. In a letter to General Washington, he pays him every praise for his talents shewn in the field or the senate; but censures his conduct with great severity for being a dealer in Slaves. This letter, which went through many editions, gained him the esteem of all who could boast a spirit of independence. His love of mankind dictated to him, as a proper subject for his Muse, the horrid custom of impressing seamen—a custom which has long thrown a foul stain on the British government. It is but justice to this philan-thropist to declare, he has written some of the most interesting songs of which our language can boast.
Posterity have a right to consider themselves deeply indebted to our British Cicero, the Right Honourable Charles James Fox. The last public act of that illustrious statesman, was the abolition of the Slave Trade; an inhuman traffic, by which the world was long degraded.
Who suff'ring brethren didst regard;
And call'd on Britons, to reward
Our Sailors!
So long thy song shall praises claim;
And grateful will they bless thy name,
Our Sailors!
The Poetical Works of Robert Anderson | ||