University of Virginia Library


346

ODE TO ADMIRAL HOTHAM.

Thrice happy man, on whom Dundas and Pitt,
With all the energy of human wit,
And all the pow'rs of sacred truth beside,
Have lavish'd the wild torrent of their praise,
Deck'd thy bald head with Glory's brightest rays!
Haste from thy vessel with unwounded hide;
Thy vessel, which, like thee, 'mid war's alarm,
And mighty danger, met no mighty harm.
Great tar, at once thy course for England shape;
England, broad staring, quite upon the gape,
To meet the victor, by whose arm, Dundas
Declares what marv'lous things have come to pass!
Yet as we bear thee through the streets along,
Amid the stunning shout, and howling song;
Suppose a patriot sage should cross thy way,
And, claiming silence, ask in manly tone,
‘What for these honours, Hotham, hast thou done?’
Hotham! now what the devil wilt thou say?