The Poetical Works of the Revd. Mr. Colvill Containing his Pastorals, Occasional Poems, and Elegies on Illustrious persons. Vol. I & II |
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 | The Poetical Works of the Revd. Mr. Colvill |  |
TO THE MEMORY OF THE HONOURABLE WILLIAM LESLIE,
Captain in the gallant Seventeenth Regiment, who was unfortunately slain when his Battalion forced their Way through the Provincial Army, January 3. 1777.
CANTO I.
Brave William was an Earl's son,
His parents joy and pride;
With knightly bow'rs their castle shone
By Leven's crystal tide.
His breath was like the vernal air,
His cheeks of roseat hue,
His manly form beyond compare,
His eyes like April dew.
His parents joy and pride;
With knightly bow'rs their castle shone
By Leven's crystal tide.
His breath was like the vernal air,
His cheeks of roseat hue,
His manly form beyond compare,
His eyes like April dew.
Yet well he lov'd in sweat and toil
To train his youthful morn,
Aurora's dawn would oft beguile
With voice of hound and horn;
From grot and bow'r would oft repair
The nymphs, with sly resort,
Like Echo for Narcissus fair,
To watch the hunters sport.
To train his youthful morn,
Aurora's dawn would oft beguile
With voice of hound and horn;
132
The nymphs, with sly resort,
Like Echo for Narcissus fair,
To watch the hunters sport.
Whose sweet officious courtesies,
Meeting repulse, would prove,
With blushing charms, how he defies
He guile of softening love.
Like that sweet boy whom Venus woo'd,
He love with coy disdain
Would scorn, and laurel'd Fame pursu'd,
Amid his dauntless train.
Meeting repulse, would prove,
With blushing charms, how he defies
He guile of softening love.
Like that sweet boy whom Venus woo'd,
He love with coy disdain
Would scorn, and laurel'd Fame pursu'd,
Amid his dauntless train.
And now, with sparkling eyes, he hears
War's brazen trumpet roar,
“To arms! her crest Rebellion rears
On Atalanta's shore!”
In vain his lovely Sisters sue
His ardour to repress,
In vain his Mother, drown'd in wo,—
He leaves their fond embrace.
War's brazen trumpet roar,
“To arms! her crest Rebellion rears
On Atalanta's shore!”
In vain his lovely Sisters sue
His ardour to repress,
In vain his Mother, drown'd in wo,—
He leaves their fond embrace.
And he has plough'd the sea-green wave,
With many a martial train,
All sworn the groaning land to save
From Faction's galling chain;
For likest Stygian fiends among,
With bloody flags unfurl'd,
Rebellion march'd her lawless throng
To spoil the western world.
With many a martial train,
All sworn the groaning land to save
From Faction's galling chain;
For likest Stygian fiends among,
With bloody flags unfurl'd,
Rebellion march'd her lawless throng
To spoil the western world.
133
And by her side, in false disguise,
Of heav'n-born liberty,
Licentious Faction, speaking lies,
Strode in proud rivalry;
Heavier Oppression laid her rod
On ev'ry loyal head,
And through, bright Peace! thy bless'd abode,
Vi'lence and Rapin spread.
Of heav'n-born liberty,
Licentious Faction, speaking lies,
Strode in proud rivalry;
Heavier Oppression laid her rod
On ev'ry loyal head,
And through, bright Peace! thy bless'd abode,
Vi'lence and Rapin spread.
The British Host, with eager sails,
The ocean's dragon sought,
And in her dreadful den assails;
From morn to eve they fought.
How glow'd brave William's gen'rous soul,
Amid the strife of arms!
Whose only wish was to controul
Rebellion's fierce alarms.
The ocean's dragon sought,
And in her dreadful den assails;
From morn to eve they fought.
How glow'd brave William's gen'rous soul,
Amid the strife of arms!
Whose only wish was to controul
Rebellion's fierce alarms.
For Britain's glory sole he draws
The steel, nor prizes fame,
An empty sound! his country's cause
Inspires a nobler flame.
Now by a thousand foes inclos'd,
With Murray cut his way,
And fearless Scott , like lions rous'd,
They drive the trembling prey.
The steel, nor prizes fame,
An empty sound! his country's cause
Inspires a nobler flame.
Now by a thousand foes inclos'd,
With Murray cut his way,
And fearless Scott , like lions rous'd,
They drive the trembling prey.
134
Now toils by valiant Percy's side,
Where spears and banners burn,
Where He, the soldier's Friend and pride,
Does war's dread fortune turn:
Or follows where fam'd England's Knight,
Like guardian angel flew,
Triumphant 'mid the deadly fight,
To save the vanquish'd crew.
Where spears and banners burn,
Where He, the soldier's Friend and pride,
Does war's dread fortune turn:
Or follows where fam'd England's Knight,
Like guardian angel flew,
Triumphant 'mid the deadly fight,
To save the vanquish'd crew.
Ah! 'mid the horrent clash of arms,
He miss'd his warlike friend,
Who wont, in time of fierce alarms,
His per'lous steps to tend:
And oft o'er the embattled plain
He call'd, and o'er the heath;
And often William rang'd in vain
The pallid heaps of death.
He miss'd his warlike friend,
Who wont, in time of fierce alarms,
His per'lous steps to tend:
And oft o'er the embattled plain
He call'd, and o'er the heath;
And often William rang'd in vain
The pallid heaps of death.
At last, low in the silent dale,
He found this Knight so true,
A lifeless corpse, all ghastly pale,
His looks of deadly hue.
Ah! early lost, like some sweet flow'r,
Death on thy prime doth prey;
How gallant 'mid the battle's stowr,
And now a clod of clay!
He found this Knight so true,
A lifeless corpse, all ghastly pale,
His looks of deadly hue.
135
Death on thy prime doth prey;
How gallant 'mid the battle's stowr,
And now a clod of clay!
Ah! how shall I such tidings bear
To Taia's winding shore!
How tell thy wailing Kindred dear,
I saw thee stretch'd in gore!
With tears they bathe his crimson wound,
With tears bedew his grave;
His tomb with laurel wreathes is crown'd,
Beside the sea-green wave.
To Taia's winding shore!
How tell thy wailing Kindred dear,
I saw thee stretch'd in gore!
With tears they bathe his crimson wound,
With tears bedew his grave;
His tomb with laurel wreathes is crown'd,
Beside the sea-green wave.
137
CANTO II.
As yet wild Tumult rends the Shores,
And o'er th'ensanguin'd plain
Rebellion, dy'd in blood, deplores
Her fiercest Champions slain:
Nor quell'd by foul discomfiture,
Like Hydra for her prey,
Gath'ring her Train with guileful lure,
She watch'd a better day.
And o'er th'ensanguin'd plain
Rebellion, dy'd in blood, deplores
Her fiercest Champions slain:
Nor quell'd by foul discomfiture,
Like Hydra for her prey,
Gath'ring her Train with guileful lure,
She watch'd a better day.
And soon that better day drew near,
When Fate revers'd her loom,
With keen revenge and conflicts drear,
And many a Warrior's doom.
Ev'ning drew on her silent reign,
Still, as the watch of Death,
Brave William, with his faithful train,
Pitch'd on the whist'ling Heath.
When Fate revers'd her loom,
With keen revenge and conflicts drear,
And many a Warrior's doom.
Ev'ning drew on her silent reign,
Still, as the watch of Death,
Brave William, with his faithful train,
Pitch'd on the whist'ling Heath.
'Twas Honour's post, who wreathes her brow
With Danger, Death, and Fame;
Hither to curb th'insulting Foe,
With dauntless band, She came.
Now ev'ry eye was clos'd in sleep,
All in his Tent reclin'd,
William allay'd in slumbers deep,
The bale of anxious mind.
With Danger, Death, and Fame;
Hither to curb th'insulting Foe,
With dauntless band, She came.
138
All in his Tent reclin'd,
William allay'd in slumbers deep,
The bale of anxious mind.
Like one some direful message sent,
With sorrow to disclose,
A shrouded Ghost, before his Tent,
His slaughter'd Friend arose:
“Why sleep secure on hostile ground!
“The foe have cross'd the wave,
“With myriads sworn, like Captives bound,
“To thrall our Vet'rans brave.
With sorrow to disclose,
A shrouded Ghost, before his Tent,
His slaughter'd Friend arose:
“Why sleep secure on hostile ground!
“The foe have cross'd the wave,
“With myriads sworn, like Captives bound,
“To thrall our Vet'rans brave.
“See Mawhood
turn the battle's tide!
“See hostile Champions slain!
“I see the purple wounds you hide,
“Slow drooping o'er the plain.
“Follow! where patriot worth defies
“All dangers, death, or shame,
“Who greatly for his country dies,
“Lives to immortal fame.”
“See hostile Champions slain!
“I see the purple wounds you hide,
“Slow drooping o'er the plain.
“Follow! where patriot worth defies
“All dangers, death, or shame,
“Who greatly for his country dies,
“Lives to immortal fame.”
In air the mournful vision fled,
While William nought dismay'd,
Sprung from a hardy soldier's bed,
And thus submissive said;—
“Thou who in uncreated light
“Presides! whose grace on high
“Conducts the erring world aright,
“And heav'n's immensity!
While William nought dismay'd,
Sprung from a hardy soldier's bed,
And thus submissive said;—
139
“Presides! whose grace on high
“Conducts the erring world aright,
“And heav'n's immensity!
“Thy soldier see! no selfish cause
“Of guilty war pursue,
“The sword his injur'd country draws,
“To whom his life is due.
“Whate'er my doom, by thy decree,
“O may my country reign
“Supreme! and Gallic perfidy,
“And Faction's rage restrain.”
“Of guilty war pursue,
“The sword his injur'd country draws,
“To whom his life is due.
“Whate'er my doom, by thy decree,
“O may my country reign
“Supreme! and Gallic perfidy,
“And Faction's rage restrain.”
Faint gleam'd the early dawn of morn,
He hears with boding sound
Of loud alarm, his Chieftain's horn;
The Warrior's arm around.
Before his loyal troop he flew,
Like light'ning o'er the field,
And swift where threat'ning danger grew,
He Interpos'd his shield,
He hears with boding sound
Of loud alarm, his Chieftain's horn;
The Warrior's arm around.
Before his loyal troop he flew,
Like light'ning o'er the field,
And swift where threat'ning danger grew,
He Interpos'd his shield,
But what can courage, what can skill,
Against the deadly weight
Of savage numbers, who, with guile,
Th'indignant bands beset.
In wedging brigade thrice they toil'd
To hew their bloody way,
And thrice, in circling orb recoil'd,
Repair'd their grim array.
Against the deadly weight
Of savage numbers, who, with guile,
Th'indignant bands beset.
In wedging brigade thrice they toil'd
To hew their bloody way,
And thrice, in circling orb recoil'd,
Repair'd their grim array.
140
Yield Leslie! yield! accept, young Knight!
The terms which we bequeath,
Nor longer in unequal fight,
Brave an untimely death!
The steel replies—with many a pass
The desp'rate heroes close,
And many a soldier press'd the grass
Amid his dying foes.
The terms which we bequeath,
Nor longer in unequal fight,
Brave an untimely death!
The steel replies—with many a pass
The desp'rate heroes close,
And many a soldier press'd the grass
Amid his dying foes.
Breathing revenge the Britons fierce
Explore their bloody way,
The rebel toils, like lions pierce,
To rend the hunter prey.
Then thro' the horrid breach of war
Victorious pour amain,
And joyful 'scap'd, review afar
The hostile heaps of slain.
Explore their bloody way,
The rebel toils, like lions pierce,
To rend the hunter prey.
Then thro' the horrid breach of war
Victorious pour amain,
And joyful 'scap'd, review afar
The hostile heaps of slain.
But ah! soon sets their clouded joy,
William's deep wound reveal'd
Damps ev'ry heart with sad annoy,
He sinks upon the field!
All help is vain, the life blood streams
Adown his snowy breast!
His eyes grow dim, two setting beams
By death's dark shades o'ercast!
William's deep wound reveal'd
Damps ev'ry heart with sad annoy,
He sinks upon the field!
All help is vain, the life blood streams
Adown his snowy breast!
His eyes grow dim, two setting beams
By death's dark shades o'ercast!
The dying hero by the hand
His mournful Chieftain took,
Aghast the victor cohort stand,
All faint sweet William spoke:
“Droop not, my valiant friends! dismaid,
“I meet a glorious death;
“Britain triumphs!” he bow'd his head,
And peaceful yields his breath.
His mournful Chieftain took,
Aghast the victor cohort stand,
All faint sweet William spoke:
141
“I meet a glorious death;
“Britain triumphs!” he bow'd his head,
And peaceful yields his breath.
So have I seen a lily fair,
Which vernal hues adorn,
Sink blasted by the blust'ring air,
Of all its beauty shorn:
So seem'd the youth, belov'd in vain,
Gash'd by the Cyprian boar,
His snowy limbs sunk on the plain,
In dust and crimson gore.
Which vernal hues adorn,
Sink blasted by the blust'ring air,
Of all its beauty shorn:
So seem'd the youth, belov'd in vain,
Gash'd by the Cyprian boar,
His snowy limbs sunk on the plain,
In dust and crimson gore.
O fatal doom of war! full well
Britain for thee might spare
Her sons who bask in slothful cell,
And mock the public care,
Whose idle pastime, dance, and song,
Or shameless riot lewd;
While in the battle's closing throng,
The bravest spend their blood.
Britain for thee might spare
Her sons who bask in slothful cell,
And mock the public care,
Whose idle pastime, dance, and song,
Or shameless riot lewd;
While in the battle's closing throng,
The bravest spend their blood.
For thee sweet youth! in Scotia's vale,
The wood-nymphs fair shall weep,
And wailing Echo tell thy tale,
In ev'ry mountain steep.
In silent grief thine Eden flow,
And Leven swoll'n with tears,
As thro' the grove in fun'ral wo,
Thy whit'ning spire appears.
The wood-nymphs fair shall weep,
And wailing Echo tell thy tale,
In ev'ry mountain steep.
In silent grief thine Eden flow,
And Leven swoll'n with tears,
As thro' the grove in fun'ral wo,
Thy whit'ning spire appears.
142
Short was thy race! the setting beam
Proclaims how high might grow
The laurels of thy deathless fame,
Had Fate delayed the blow.
But ah! they dig thine early grave,
By Milsone's crimson shores,
Thy Parents mourn their William brave,
Thy Country thee deplores!
Proclaims how high might grow
The laurels of thy deathless fame,
Had Fate delayed the blow.
But ah! they dig thine early grave,
By Milsone's crimson shores,
Thy Parents mourn their William brave,
Thy Country thee deplores!
Sir Alexander Murray of Balmanno, Bart, was a Scotch officer of family, and of uncommon merit. In the action of Long Island, August 28, his regiment, the gallant 17th, had the post of honour in the brigade which so eminently distinguished themselves under the conduct of the brave General Grant.—Sir Alexander was unfortunately slain at the head of the advanced guard, as he was bravely encouraging the soldiers.
Col. Mawhood, who commanded the battalion, distinguished himself in the most particular manner, by his conduct and heroism, and received the public thanks and approbation.
145
SAVANNAH.
To The Immortal Memory of the Hon. Colonel JOHN MAITLAND,
Brother to James Earl of Lauderdale, &c. &c. Member of Parliament for
The District of Haddington, Dunbar, North-Berwick, Lauder, and Jedburgh;
Whose Loyalty, Conduct, and Intrepid Valour Were eminently displayed
At the Memorable Siege of Savannah, When, charging at the head
Of his Invincible Caledonians, He repulsed the Combined Forces
Of France and America, In a Most Bloody, Obstinate, and Successful Conflict,
These Stanzas are Inscribed: A Sincere but Imperfect Testimony
Of that Public Esteem and Veneration Which is justly due to the Worthy Friend
And Lover of his Country.
[_]
With invincible spirit, although wasted by a lingering sickness, The Hon. Col. John Maitland conducted Frazer's Highlanders through the various fatigues of a perplexing, laborious, and hazardous march, to withstand the hitherto successful progress of the arms of Bourbon and the revolted colonies.
The presence and heroic exertions of so great a character aroused the valour of the British forces, to discharge their important trust in the hour of danger. The council of war were on the very brink of signing a capitulation, when Col. Maitland gave his voice for a most vigorous resistance, and threatened to report the officer to his Sovereign who should propose such a cowardly surrender. The speech and spirit of the Hero entered deep into the minds of the council. They cried out with one voice “to abide the onset, to contend for the rights and glory of their country.
After many shining proofs of zeal and activity, of resolution and manly perseverance, Col. Maitland had the distinguished fortune to repulse the united forces of the enemy in that memorable and desperate assault which they made upon the British lines on the ever famous 9th of October 1779.—Count D' Estaing, Count Polaski, the French Generals Dillon and Fontaing, with the Rebel Chiefs, Price, La Motte, and Rutledge, (who was killed by the very gallant Capt. Tawse, after having twice planted the American standard on the chief redoubt), with all the flower of their troops, were either desperately wounded or slain. But behold the inscrutable ways of destiny! Scarce had Providence raised up this Deliverer of Britain, to check the growth of an unnatural rebellion, and to turn the scourge of a calamitous and bloody war against the House of Bourbon, when the joy of the victorious army, of his country, and of all good men, was damped by his death. Worn out by the most excessive toil and anxiety of mind, the Hero expired while the enemy were accomplishing their ignominious retreat.
Britons! acknowledge the hand of Heaven in all these meritorious national services of the Hon. Col. Maitland, who, in the face of envy and opposition, of peril and death, and superior to every consideration which spurs on the disappointed and malignant petulence of our most distinguished modern Pseudo-Patriots, heroically re-established the declining glory of the British arms, in one of those most important and critical moments which decide the fate of nations.
Imitate the active zeal, the unshaken loyalty, the enterprising courage, the manly ardour, and perseverance, of this truly noble and distinguished Patriot, who died, like another Wolfe, in almost the moment of victory, struggling to sustain the interests and the glory of his country, against the most formidable combinations of her enemies.
Dysart, 27th Jan. 1780.
Quis, te, Magne Cato! tacitum, te Cosse! relinquat!
Quis, Gracchi Genus! ------
Virg.
Quis, Gracchi Genus! ------
Virg.
CANTO I.
Wasted by war's annoyance rude,
Her hostile myriads closing round,
Britain, by fam'd Savannah's flood,
With scanty files maintain'd her ground.
In front, proud Bourbon, to enslave,
With fleets approach'd in dread array,
The Gallic vulture from the wave,
With keen eye hov'ring o'er his prey.
Her hostile myriads closing round,
Britain, by fam'd Savannah's flood,
With scanty files maintain'd her ground.
In front, proud Bourbon, to enslave,
With fleets approach'd in dread array,
The Gallic vulture from the wave,
With keen eye hov'ring o'er his prey.
Behind, Rebellion's ruthless train,
Worst fiends of Discord, War, and Death,
Conjoin'd to shake Britannia's reign,
With slavish ensigns croud the heath.
Silence kept watch with boding eye
Along the bulwarks: Grief, despair,
In doubt to struggle, yield, or fly,
Distract the Chief with various care.
Worst fiends of Discord, War, and Death,
Conjoin'd to shake Britannia's reign,
With slavish ensigns croud the heath.
Silence kept watch with boding eye
Along the bulwarks: Grief, despair,
In doubt to struggle, yield, or fly,
Distract the Chief with various care.
146
For Gallia's boast
, with Gothic rage,
The stain of knighthood, and of arms,
Who spares nor feeble sex nor age,
Summons the Free with stern alarms.
“Set wide your gates! I proffer life!
“Rebels! receive your Gallic Lord!
“Nor madly brave in deadly strife
“The rage of his resistless sword.
The stain of knighthood, and of arms,
Who spares nor feeble sex nor age,
Summons the Free with stern alarms.
“Set wide your gates! I proffer life!
“Rebels! receive your Gallic Lord!
“Nor madly brave in deadly strife
“The rage of his resistless sword.
“This arm Grenada's wealthy seats
“O'erthrew, and dash'd your island pride.
“Brave not, ye slaves! the merc'less fates!
“What storm, rage, carnage, may betide.
“Three days in truce attentive weigh
“The joys our faithful vassals share,
“Beneath Gaul's mild, imperial sway;
“The vanquish'd, Death! and black Despair!
“O'erthrew, and dash'd your island pride.
“Brave not, ye slaves! the merc'less fates!
“What storm, rage, carnage, may betide.
“Three days in truce attentive weigh
“The joys our faithful vassals share,
“Beneath Gaul's mild, imperial sway;
“The vanquish'd, Death! and black Despair!
Suspence, Alarm, the ghastly Train
Which wait on war, appal the Brave;
And womens tears not shed in vain,
Their infants, lovers, fires to save.
Bereft of hope, bereft of aid,
To prop their own or country's state,
To yield the throng consult, persuade,
All vain, to stem the tides of fate!
Which wait on war, appal the Brave;
And womens tears not shed in vain,
Their infants, lovers, fires to save.
Bereft of hope, bereft of aid,
To prop their own or country's state,
To yield the throng consult, persuade,
All vain, to stem the tides of fate!
147
One shameful day depress'd had seen
Her warlike fame which climbs the skies,
The scepter'd rule of Albion's Queen,
Beneath her oceans, ne'er to rise:
Her freeborn sons enchain'd, to rue
Their worst disgrace, a Tyrant's prey;
From freedom torn, and fealty true,
To groan in bondage and dismay.
Her warlike fame which climbs the skies,
The scepter'd rule of Albion's Queen,
Beneath her oceans, ne'er to rise:
Her freeborn sons enchain'd, to rue
Their worst disgrace, a Tyrant's prey;
From freedom torn, and fealty true,
To groan in bondage and dismay.
And now th'unwelcome tidings go
Where Britain's Champion, to restrain
The savage inroads of the foe,
Encamp'd his Caledonian Train:
Maitland! far-fam'd, our stable prop
In adverse times, train'd in the field;
The Soldier's Friend, his Country's Hope,
His Prince's Pride, his People's Shield.
Where Britain's Champion, to restrain
The savage inroads of the foe,
Encamp'd his Caledonian Train:
Maitland! far-fam'd, our stable prop
In adverse times, train'd in the field;
The Soldier's Friend, his Country's Hope,
His Prince's Pride, his People's Shield.
His vig'rous prime, 'mid war's annoy,
Consum'd; not so the warrior's flame:
Great daring darted from his eye,
The hero glow'd thro' sickly frame.
True glory fires his patriot soul,
His pleading Country's Cause to save,
False Bourbon's treasons to controul,
Meet triumph! or a glorious grave!
Consum'd; not so the warrior's flame:
Great daring darted from his eye,
The hero glow'd thro' sickly frame.
True glory fires his patriot soul,
His pleading Country's Cause to save,
False Bourbon's treasons to controul,
Meet triumph! or a glorious grave!
Anon his hasty trumpets sound,
His vet'rans croud in stern array;
The Chief imparts the tidings round,
The Britons hear without dismay.
“Haste on, ye Brave! your Country cries!
“Fierce wolves of France and Faction wait:
“The Freeborn, chains, shame, death, defy;
“Your swords decide an empire's fate.”
His vet'rans croud in stern array;
The Chief imparts the tidings round,
The Britons hear without dismay.
148
“Fierce wolves of France and Faction wait:
“The Freeborn, chains, shame, death, defy;
“Your swords decide an empire's fate.”
On vengeance bent, with hearts so true
O'er marshy wastes they burst their way:
'Mid hosts of foes they struggle through,
Like Nubian lions to their prey.
Savannah's gates the wish'd relief
Invite, where fears irres'lute reign,
And doubtful cares distract the Chief
To yield, or Britain's right maintain.
O'er marshy wastes they burst their way:
'Mid hosts of foes they struggle through,
Like Nubian lions to their prey.
Savannah's gates the wish'd relief
Invite, where fears irres'lute reign,
And doubtful cares distract the Chief
To yield, or Britain's right maintain.
Forlorn with toil, in dust and sweat,
With Cato's spirit Maitland stood:
Resistance urg'd with bold debate,
And rous'd to arms the list'ning crowd.
“Freedom your lot, or endless shame!
“Your Country pleads in ev'ry vein;
“And dares he boast a Briton's name,
“Who scorns her glory to sustain!
With Cato's spirit Maitland stood:
Resistance urg'd with bold debate,
And rous'd to arms the list'ning crowd.
“Freedom your lot, or endless shame!
“Your Country pleads in ev'ry vein;
“And dares he boast a Briton's name,
“Who scorns her glory to sustain!
“Her sinking scale one great effort
“O'er public shame and loss shall raise:
“One glorious hour her high report
“Redeem from stain of adverse days.
“Let cowards skulk; to brave alarms,
“Hark! Glory calls! In Heav'n I trust,
“Bourbon shall bow to British arms;
“Her laurels soil in blood and dust.
“O'er public shame and loss shall raise:
“One glorious hour her high report
“Redeem from stain of adverse days.
“Let cowards skulk; to brave alarms,
“Hark! Glory calls! In Heav'n I trust,
“Bourbon shall bow to British arms;
“Her laurels soil in blood and dust.
149
“O Heav'ns! to turn war's headlong tide
“With ruin on th'insulting foe!
“Their vaunted trophies' guilty pride,
“In vengeance' crimson'd fields laid low.
“This palm I crave, thro' fire and death;
“Eternal infamy entwine
“The coward's ignominious wreath!
“ To triumph! and to die, be mine!”
“With ruin on th'insulting foe!
“Their vaunted trophies' guilty pride,
“In vengeance' crimson'd fields laid low.
“This palm I crave, thro' fire and death;
“Eternal infamy entwine
“The coward's ignominious wreath!
“ To triumph! and to die, be mine!”
His speech, like rain to drooping flow'rs,
Lost courage thro' the host convey'd;
They shine in arms, and from their tow'rs
The bloody sign for war display'd.
The brazen tires, destruction fell,
Watch to disgorge the foes among,
Peals from the spire war's dreadful knell,
Fierce faces o'er the bulwarks throng.
Lost courage thro' the host convey'd;
They shine in arms, and from their tow'rs
The bloody sign for war display'd.
The brazen tires, destruction fell,
Watch to disgorge the foes among,
Peals from the spire war's dreadful knell,
Fierce faces o'er the bulwarks throng.
Yet e'er they turn to work of death,
For feeble sex the heralds plead:
“Meet refuge in your ships bequeath,
“Nor see the child and mother bleed!
“Pity! weak infancy, or age,
“Or helpless Women, harm receive;
“Harmless themselves: from battle's rage,
“The loss and glory wait the Brave.”
For feeble sex the heralds plead:
“Meet refuge in your ships bequeath,
“Nor see the child and mother bleed!
“Pity! weak infancy, or age,
“Or helpless Women, harm receive;
“Harmless themselves: from battle's rage,
“The loss and glory wait the Brave.”
150
The plund'ring Goth with merc'less frown,
As fierce he drew his thirsty sword,
“No terms for yon devoted Town!
“Save what the rage of storm afford.
“Presumption vain, which dar'd impede
“The Gallic Monarch's sov'reign sway;
“E'er long, he cried, shall victim bleed!
“That Rebel States may rue the day.”
As fierce he drew his thirsty sword,
“No terms for yon devoted Town!
“Save what the rage of storm afford.
“Presumption vain, which dar'd impede
“The Gallic Monarch's sov'reign sway;
“E'er long, he cried, shall victim bleed!
“That Rebel States may rue the day.”
He said; and, with infernal roar,
Their freight the thund'ring cannon cast;
Attend the fiends of death and gore,
The welkin rings with sulph'rous blast.
Six furious days, thro' groaning air,
Red fire, iron hail, destruction, ride;
Six dreadful nights, with horrent glare,
Their walls sustain the fiery tide.
Their freight the thund'ring cannon cast;
Attend the fiends of death and gore,
The welkin rings with sulph'rous blast.
Six furious days, thro' groaning air,
Red fire, iron hail, destruction, ride;
Six dreadful nights, with horrent glare,
Their walls sustain the fiery tide.
Protracted broil, with erring rage,
The dastard foe urge on afar;
The Heroes, burning to engage,
Pour from the lines for closer war.
The conflict grew where-e'er they turn,
In closing strife their salcions ring:
A thousand lances round them burn:
A thousand deaths are on the wing.
The dastard foe urge on afar;
The Heroes, burning to engage,
Pour from the lines for closer war.
The conflict grew where-e'er they turn,
In closing strife their salcions ring:
A thousand lances round them burn:
A thousand deaths are on the wing.
There toil'd Moncrieff of dauntless soul,
The British Thunder skill'd to guide,
Like Mars, whose mad'ning chariots roll
Thro' raging Conflict's purple tide.
Valiant M'Pherson, Fraser, Grahame,
Like wolves assail, unquell'd by wounds:
The path of conquest leads to fame,
'Mid fire, and death, with glory crown'd.
The British Thunder skill'd to guide,
Like Mars, whose mad'ning chariots roll
Thro' raging Conflict's purple tide.
151
Like wolves assail, unquell'd by wounds:
The path of conquest leads to fame,
'Mid fire, and death, with glory crown'd.
The battle swerv'd along the field,
Deep gor'd with dol'rous horns afar,
The Goth recalls behind his shield
His broken files, the wreck of war.
Nor quell'd by foul discomfiture,
Like wrathful dragon, for his prey,
Gath'ring her train with guileful lure,
He watch'd for a decisive day.
Deep gor'd with dol'rous horns afar,
The Goth recalls behind his shield
His broken files, the wreck of war.
Nor quell'd by foul discomfiture,
Like wrathful dragon, for his prey,
Gath'ring her train with guileful lure,
He watch'd for a decisive day.
153
CANTO II.
Dark was the morn with low'ring shade,
No swart star twinkled thro' the gloom;
With raging storm the Gauls invade,
And Rebel Hosts to seal their doom.
Full soon the circling trench was pass'd;
Fierce tribes, with desp'rate ardour stung,
To scale the wall like furies press'd;
Within, lament and uproar rung.
No swart star twinkled thro' the gloom;
With raging storm the Gauls invade,
And Rebel Hosts to seal their doom.
Full soon the circling trench was pass'd;
Fierce tribes, with desp'rate ardour stung,
To scale the wall like furies press'd;
Within, lament and uproar rung.
Wild, in the van, with flaming brand,
The furious Goth drew ev'ry eye;
As dread he strove, with chosen band,
To scale and fire the turrets high.
Grim by his side, in Treason's guise,
With rebel ensigns, Lincoln stood;
The hireling Pole, Polasky, hies,
Like falcon, bent on spoil and blood.
The furious Goth drew ev'ry eye;
As dread he strove, with chosen band,
To scale and fire the turrets high.
Grim by his side, in Treason's guise,
With rebel ensigns, Lincoln stood;
The hireling Pole, Polasky, hies,
Like falcon, bent on spoil and blood.
154
Long hung the war in doubtful scale,
On death resolv'd before they yield,
Till savage numbers 'gan prevail
With perseverance o'er the field.
Pale fear o'er all the bulwarks sped,
Despair unmans the Chieftain's soul,
Their fire no more destruction spread,
Their swords no more the Goth controul.
On death resolv'd before they yield,
Till savage numbers 'gan prevail
With perseverance o'er the field.
Pale fear o'er all the bulwarks sped,
Despair unmans the Chieftain's soul,
Their fire no more destruction spread,
Their swords no more the Goth controul.
And now the flying route give way,
Redoubled axes rend the gates,
The murd'rers mark their trembling prey,
The sword of bloody Slaughter waits.
One raging hour had sunk thy tow'rs,
Savannah, sack'd with fire and sword;
And Britain, crush'd by barb'rous powr's,
Had bow'd in thrall to Gallic lord.
Redoubled axes rend the gates,
The murd'rers mark their trembling prey,
The sword of bloody Slaughter waits.
One raging hour had sunk thy tow'rs,
Savannah, sack'd with fire and sword;
And Britain, crush'd by barb'rous powr's,
Had bow'd in thrall to Gallic lord.
When He, by guardian angels led,
To turn the scale of death and shame,
From Lincoln vanquish'd, Maitland sped,
To die, or save his country's fame.
Like lion rous'd, all dust and blood,
'Mid the wild waste of war he flew:
These he transfix'd in wrathful mood,
These headlong down the walls he threw.
To turn the scale of death and shame,
From Lincoln vanquish'd, Maitland sped,
To die, or save his country's fame.
Like lion rous'd, all dust and blood,
'Mid the wild waste of war he flew:
These he transfix'd in wrathful mood,
These headlong down the walls he threw.
Again Britannia's banners fly,
His trumpets sound her fierce acclaim,
Beneath his steel what numbers die,
Or refuge seek in flight and shame.
Where victor Tawse, with glorious wound,
Like tyger panting o'er his prey,
'Gainst hosts of foes maintain'd the mound,
The Caledonians hew their way.
His trumpets sound her fierce acclaim,
Beneath his steel what numbers die,
Or refuge seek in flight and shame.
155
Like tyger panting o'er his prey,
'Gainst hosts of foes maintain'd the mound,
The Caledonians hew their way.
With bold Moncrieff's congenial soul,
An empire's fate, in throat of death,
The Hero turns with shame and dole,
Dashing proud Gallia's drooping wreath.
As two fierce winds the tempest gloom,
With flashing lightning fraught, dispel
O'er Caspian brine, they stamp the doom
Of Bourbon: Slaughter stalks the vale.
An empire's fate, in throat of death,
The Hero turns with shame and dole,
Dashing proud Gallia's drooping wreath.
As two fierce winds the tempest gloom,
With flashing lightning fraught, dispel
O'er Caspian brine, they stamp the doom
Of Bourbon: Slaughter stalks the vale.
The Goth, his fiercest champions slain,
Beheld, and flies with ghastly wound.
Polasky, soil'd by lawless stain
Of war, expires before the mound.
Stern Rutlidge, Price, and Odwin brave,
Amid their mangled brigades lay.
Not Dillon's soldier-skill could save,
Nor Grasse escape the bloody fray.
Beheld, and flies with ghastly wound.
Polasky, soil'd by lawless stain
Of war, expires before the mound.
Stern Rutlidge, Price, and Odwin brave,
Amid their mangled brigades lay.
Not Dillon's soldier-skill could save,
Nor Grasse escape the bloody fray.
Veiling in night his foul remorse,
Lincoln, ignoble traitor! fled.
Deep guilt, pale fear, impel his course,
To leave the dying and the dead.
Gnashing with rage, fell grief, and pain,
The crest-fall'n Goth essay'd to hide
Bourbon's deep wound: then o'er the main,
Disgraceful, stems th'indignant tide.
Lincoln, ignoble traitor! fled.
Deep guilt, pale fear, impel his course,
To leave the dying and the dead.
156
The crest-fall'n Goth essay'd to hide
Bourbon's deep wound: then o'er the main,
Disgraceful, stems th'indignant tide.
“And with thee go! that foulest stain
“Of Bourbon's crown, to latest times,
“False faith of Kings, not sworn in vain,
“To mask the guilt of blackest crimes:
“Rebellion's impious steel to guide
“The sons to pierce the Parents breast,
“Reckless what vengeance may betide
“Their own, by Treason's fiend opprest.”
“Of Bourbon's crown, to latest times,
“False faith of Kings, not sworn in vain,
“To mask the guilt of blackest crimes:
“Rebellion's impious steel to guide
“The sons to pierce the Parents breast,
“Reckless what vengeance may betide
“Their own, by Treason's fiend opprest.”
And now the happy bands combine,
Glad victors o'er the barb'rous foe,
In dangers join'd, now join'd in wine,
And mirth, their conscious hearts o'erflow.
Britain's high fame and rights secure
From Gallic fang and war's annoy,
Heaven's rod to humble guilty pow'r,
To Heav'n ascends their pious joy.
Glad victors o'er the barb'rous foe,
In dangers join'd, now join'd in wine,
And mirth, their conscious hearts o'erflow.
Britain's high fame and rights secure
From Gallic fang and war's annoy,
Heaven's rod to humble guilty pow'r,
To Heav'n ascends their pious joy.
Their civic wreaths the Victor greet,
And homage due, as to his tent,
Sunk down in glorious dust and sweat,
Borne by his faithful guards he went.
“Your praise, Brave Friends! to Heav'n is due;
“The Hero spoke with plaintive sound:
“Britain triumphs! proud France shall rue
“In future woes this rankling wound!”
And homage due, as to his tent,
Sunk down in glorious dust and sweat,
Borne by his faithful guards he went.
“Your praise, Brave Friends! to Heav'n is due;
“The Hero spoke with plaintive sound:
“Britain triumphs! proud France shall rue
“In future woes this rankling wound!”
157
Then, sad to see, all ghastly pale,
A mortal qualm the CHIEF opprest;
Cold sweats his trembling limbs assail,
Convulsion heaves his manly breast:
Whether heroic soul, enshrin'd
In mansion frail of mortal dust,
On highest deeds intent, rejoin'd
Her kindred train, the brave and just;
A mortal qualm the CHIEF opprest;
Cold sweats his trembling limbs assail,
Convulsion heaves his manly breast:
Whether heroic soul, enshrin'd
In mansion frail of mortal dust,
On highest deeds intent, rejoin'd
Her kindred train, the brave and just;
Or, like Hyperion, having run
His glorious race, for brighter skies
Departed, like the setting sun,
Rob'd in his own ethereal dyes.
In speechless woe hung o'er the CHIEF
His Caledonians: help is vain!
The hoary vet'ran droops in grief,
The host lament an Hero slain.
His glorious race, for brighter skies
Departed, like the setting sun,
Rob'd in his own ethereal dyes.
In speechless woe hung o'er the CHIEF
His Caledonians: help is vain!
The hoary vet'ran droops in grief,
The host lament an Hero slain.
In death he cries, “Farewell, ye Brave!
“Conscience unfading palms bequeaths,
“His Prince and Country's rights to save,
“Maitland cou'd die a thousand deaths.
“Fate cuts frail life! my lot is cast!
“Immortal, loos'd from mortal frame:
“Britain triumphs! from envious blast,
“Oh! save your SOLDIER's honest fame!”
“Conscience unfading palms bequeaths,
“His Prince and Country's rights to save,
“Maitland cou'd die a thousand deaths.
“Fate cuts frail life! my lot is cast!
“Immortal, loos'd from mortal frame:
“Britain triumphs! from envious blast,
“Oh! save your SOLDIER's honest fame!”
158
With smile of conscious triumph burst
That heart which cou'd for Britain die;
Cou'd soil proud plumes of France in dust;
Not villain Envy's shafts defy.
Where Percy, Douglas, Wolfe, repose,
With ev'ry high immortal name,
'Mid heav'nly hosts, the Victor goes
Beyond the flight of mortal fame.
That heart which cou'd for Britain die;
Cou'd soil proud plumes of France in dust;
Not villain Envy's shafts defy.
Where Percy, Douglas, Wolfe, repose,
With ev'ry high immortal name,
'Mid heav'nly hosts, the Victor goes
Beyond the flight of mortal fame.
Oh! hadst thou led with fair command
Her host o'er Ashley's blood-stain'd field!
Where shrunk the vanquish'd loit'ring band
Behind thy Caledonian shield:
Thy Country ne'er had mourn'd in vain,
Nor Freedom wept in tears of blood:
Nor Malice mean, with guileful stain,
Thy blazon of bright Fame withstood.
Her host o'er Ashley's blood-stain'd field!
Where shrunk the vanquish'd loit'ring band
Behind thy Caledonian shield:
Thy Country ne'er had mourn'd in vain,
Nor Freedom wept in tears of blood:
Nor Malice mean, with guileful stain,
Thy blazon of bright Fame withstood.
Ah! round thy trophied arch of praise
Envy's insidious harpies fly!
With vengeful fangs to rend the bays
Which loyal Valour hung on high:
Vain strife! on eagle-pinions borne,
Thy Worth's acclaim to heav'n shall go,
Whilst Malice rides the blast of Scorn,
Felon! to reap where others sow!
Envy's insidious harpies fly!
With vengeful fangs to rend the bays
Which loyal Valour hung on high:
Vain strife! on eagle-pinions borne,
Thy Worth's acclaim to heav'n shall go,
Whilst Malice rides the blast of Scorn,
Felon! to reap where others sow!
159
Who yonder! gild the the ethereal steep,
Bright Truth! dread Justice! awful train!
With Caledonia o'er the deep,
The vengeful demons to enchain.
Ye Fiends! to Erebus! they cry,
A nation's voice is in the sound:
Lo! where she hastes, of fearless eye,
To guard her SOLDIER's hallow'd ground.
Bright Truth! dread Justice! awful train!
With Caledonia o'er the deep,
The vengeful demons to enchain.
Ye Fiends! to Erebus! they cry,
A nation's voice is in the sound:
Lo! where she hastes, of fearless eye,
To guard her SOLDIER's hallow'd ground.
“Peace! to thy Patriot dust, the Brave,
“And Free, shall yearly pilgrims come:
“And oft suspend the dashing wave
“To weep at MAITLAND's hallow'd tomb.
“The Realm you sav'd with loss of life,
“Each spring shall flow'ry wreaths bestow:
“Her village Maids, with pious strife,
“Fresh garlands on thy marble throw.
“And Free, shall yearly pilgrims come:
“And oft suspend the dashing wave
“To weep at MAITLAND's hallow'd tomb.
“The Realm you sav'd with loss of life,
“Each spring shall flow'ry wreaths bestow:
“Her village Maids, with pious strife,
“Fresh garlands on thy marble throw.
“Where silver winding Fortha glides,
“In grief, her rural BOWER's among;
“Or devious Tweed in murmurs chides
“The Swains' Arcadian dance, and song;
“Scotland, while Autumn annual wears
“The garb of Wo, her loss shall mourn;
“And brightest eyes with pearly tears
“In HATTON's GROVE bedew thine urn.
“In grief, her rural BOWER's among;
“Or devious Tweed in murmurs chides
“The Swains' Arcadian dance, and song;
“Scotland, while Autumn annual wears
“The garb of Wo, her loss shall mourn;
“And brightest eyes with pearly tears
“In HATTON's GROVE bedew thine urn.
“On Britain's bleeding heart be writ
“My SON's best monument, true praise!
“And herald Fame the theme transmit,
“To fire her youth in future days!
“But praise is weak: the Muse who sings
“Thy dirge may not improve tehy fame;
“And they who soar on bolder wings
“Shall borrow from thy DEATHLES's NAME.
“My SON's best monument, true praise!
“And herald Fame the theme transmit,
“To fire her youth in future days!
160
“Thy dirge may not improve tehy fame;
“And they who soar on bolder wings
“Shall borrow from thy DEATHLES's NAME.
Dysart, 27th Jan. 1780.
After the very unfortunate repulse of the British army before Charlestown, these brave Caledonians, in testimony of their intrepid valour, had the post of honour assigned them; and saved the remainder of the troops, by covering the retreat.
The campaign was from the beginning loitered away in a most shameful inactivity. Count Polasky threw in 1500 men into the place, and the Honourable Colonel Maitland remonstrated in vain against such most unworthy and unsoldier-like proceedings.
161
TO THE IMMORTAL MEMORY OF WILLIAM DALRYMPLE, Esq;
One of the Officers who fell in that desperate Action, when the Gallant Captain SALTER took the L'Amazon, of much superior force, in sight of the French fleet.
Præclarum facinus gestum Monumentum est ejus qui gessit.
Era.
Era.
“Shall proud France, high domineering,
“Lord it o'er our native main!
“By her vain gods vainly swearing
“She will end Britannia's reign.
“Vainly Neptune sea dominions
“To the Queen of Isles has giv'n,
“If proud Bourbon's slavish minions
“Dare dispute the will of Heav'n.
“Lord it o'er our native main!
“By her vain gods vainly swearing
“She will end Britannia's reign.
“Vainly Neptune sea dominions
“To the Queen of Isles has giv'n,
“If proud Bourbon's slavish minions
“Dare dispute the will of Heav'n.
162
“Vainly from our decks disclosing,
“Tyres of vengeful thunders roll;
“Vain on native deep reposing,
“Britons rule from pole to pole.
“Can the freeborn sons of Ocean
“Droop before a host of slaves;
“What is numbers! force! promotion!
“Britain death with glory craves!
“Tyres of vengeful thunders roll;
“Vain on native deep reposing,
“Britons rule from pole to pole.
“Can the freeborn sons of Ocean
“Droop before a host of slaves;
“What is numbers! force! promotion!
“Britain death with glory craves!
163
“Hark! for bloody combat crying,
“Hark! she pleads in ev'ry vein;
“Scorning horror, carnage, dying,
“Hearts of oak, her rights maintain.
“Seven score heroes greatly daring,
“Souls of glory, rough and true,
“All the signal claim for warring,
“Noble Captain! claim their due!
“Hark! she pleads in ev'ry vein;
“Scorning horror, carnage, dying,
“Hearts of oak, her rights maintain.
“Seven score heroes greatly daring,
“Souls of glory, rough and true,
“All the signal claim for warring,
“Noble Captain! claim their due!
“Dalrymple! spread our bloody streamers,
“Pour our vengeance on the foe;
“Teach yon Bourbon gaudy dreamers
“Britons rule where sails can go.”
The chieftain spoke, the hero gallant
Spread the bloody cross for war,
While the Amazon so valiant,
Pow'r and pride drew on afar.
“Pour our vengeance on the foe;
“Teach yon Bourbon gaudy dreamers
“Britons rule where sails can go.”
The chieftain spoke, the hero gallant
Spread the bloody cross for war,
While the Amazon so valiant,
Pow'r and pride drew on afar.
O'er the waves triumphant gliding,
Double strength to brave the foe,
In his glitt'ring host confiding,
Trimly did the Frenchman shew.
Rough and bold the sons of Ocean
Point their thunders cross the wave,
Reaping 'mid the dire commotion
Conquest or a wat'ry grave.
Double strength to brave the foe,
In his glitt'ring host confiding,
Trimly did the Frenchman shew.
Rough and bold the sons of Ocean
Point their thunders cross the wave,
Reaping 'mid the dire commotion
Conquest or a wat'ry grave.
By the red cross banner flying,
Hark! the brave Dalrymple's cry!
“For our country what is dying!
“Brothers we have all to die!
“Death with glory is the measure
“Heaven to the brave bequeaths:
“Amid fire and death with pleasure,
“Brothers, twine the British wreaths.”
Hark! the brave Dalrymple's cry!
“For our country what is dying!
“Brothers we have all to die!
164
“Heaven to the brave bequeaths:
“Amid fire and death with pleasure,
“Brothers, twine the British wreaths.”
Hark! the work of death commencing;
Cannon shake the trembling flood;
Thousand fiery fates are glancing,
All is uproar, storm, and blood.
In the combat foremost charging,
Bold Dalrymple, youthful knight,
'Mid the deadly battle raging,
Leads the storm, and swells the fight.
Cannon shake the trembling flood;
Thousand fiery fates are glancing,
All is uproar, storm, and blood.
In the combat foremost charging,
Bold Dalrymple, youthful knight,
'Mid the deadly battle raging,
Leads the storm, and swells the fight.
Earth and ocean, heav'n resounding,
Float the decks with streaming gore,
Sulphur, horror, death confounding,
Swell tempestuous, thunders roar.
In the Frenchman, hideous ruin,
Ghastly pale, bestrides the deck;
Now too late he mourns undoing,
Vaunted glory gone to wreck.
Float the decks with streaming gore,
Sulphur, horror, death confounding,
Swell tempestuous, thunders roar.
In the Frenchman, hideous ruin,
Ghastly pale, bestrides the deck;
Now too late he mourns undoing,
Vaunted glory gone to wreck.
Each hostile chieftain bleeds, retiring
From the charge with ghastly wound;
Breathless, vanquish'd, faint, expiring,
Sinks the crew in slaughter drown'd.
For the last assault preparing,
Stagg'ring, hopeless, in their might,
Bloody, maimed, and despairing,
Brave Dalrymple stay'd the fight.
From the charge with ghastly wound;
Breathless, vanquish'd, faint, expiring,
Sinks the crew in slaughter drown'd.
165
Stagg'ring, hopeless, in their might,
Bloody, maimed, and despairing,
Brave Dalrymple stay'd the fight.
“Yield, and spare your gallant remnant,
“Who survive this mortal fray;
“Vain yon tyrants proud pretendment,
“George and Britain claim the day.
“How my soul exults with glory!
“That I urg'd the daring blow:
“Brother heroes! bright in story,
“Shall our names to ages go!
“Who survive this mortal fray;
“Vain yon tyrants proud pretendment,
“George and Britain claim the day.
“How my soul exults with glory!
“That I urg'd the daring blow:
“Brother heroes! bright in story,
“Shall our names to ages go!
“See! where Bourbon strikes her banner,
“The Amazon is Britain's prize;
“Hearts of oak will firmly man her,
“From her staff our red cross rise.”
Oh! dire mischance! the hero speaking,
Deadly bullets pierc'd his heart;
That manly heart which ne'er knew breaking,
Save when dying heroes part!
“The Amazon is Britain's prize;
“Hearts of oak will firmly man her,
“From her staff our red cross rise.”
Oh! dire mischance! the hero speaking,
Deadly bullets pierc'd his heart;
That manly heart which ne'er knew breaking,
Save when dying heroes part!
Ghastly pale he bleeds extended,
In his victor ship, his bier!
The sad crew in uproar blended
Beat their breasts and rend the air.
The tears of pity o'er the valiant
Salter sheds in manly woe,
O'er him at dawn of morn so gallant,
Cold at eve, in death laid low.
In his victor ship, his bier!
The sad crew in uproar blended
Beat their breasts and rend the air.
The tears of pity o'er the valiant
Salter sheds in manly woe,
O'er him at dawn of morn so gallant,
Cold at eve, in death laid low.
166
“Adieu thrice bravest Caledonian!
“Envious fates have quench'd thy breath,
“Not thy fame: The Amazonian
“Shall unfading laurels wreath.
“Scotland long with mother's sorrow
“Thy untimely fate deplore;
“Ah! untimely; fame shall borrow
“From thy plaudit wings to soar.”
“Envious fates have quench'd thy breath,
“Not thy fame: The Amazonian
“Shall unfading laurels wreath.
“Scotland long with mother's sorrow
“Thy untimely fate deplore;
“Ah! untimely; fame shall borrow
“From thy plaudit wings to soar.”
Th'immortal Sisters o'er thy marble
Long shall sound the note of praise;
Grateful monarchs as they warble
Shall thy marine trophies raise.
There with peerless Chiefs reposing,
Drake and Shovel, Russel brave,
Learn from these thy mates disclosing,
What is valour 'yond the grave.
Long shall sound the note of praise;
Grateful monarchs as they warble
Shall thy marine trophies raise.
There with peerless Chiefs reposing,
Drake and Shovel, Russel brave,
Learn from these thy mates disclosing,
What is valour 'yond the grave.
Crown'd with naval wreaths, thy glory
Of heroic deeds bequeath,
A peerless name, in Britain's story,
That survives the wreck of death.
Death, beyond thy house of mourning,
Sets the brave from prison free;
Thy pure sp'rit the world spurning,
Basks in immortality.
Of heroic deeds bequeath,
A peerless name, in Britain's story,
That survives the wreck of death.
Death, beyond thy house of mourning,
Sets the brave from prison free;
Thy pure sp'rit the world spurning,
Basks in immortality.
May heroic worth expiring
For their country, honour'd sleep;
May thy kindred train admiring
Still thy bright example keep.
Long thy parents greatly glory
In thy valour's high renown:
Britain long respect thy story,
While she wreaths thy civic crown.
For their country, honour'd sleep;
May thy kindred train admiring
Still thy bright example keep.
167
In thy valour's high renown:
Britain long respect thy story,
While she wreaths thy civic crown.
Castle of Oxenford, 9th Sept.
INSCRIPTION from the Marble Monument in Westminster Abbey, December 1782.
To the memory of William Dalrymple, Esq; eldest son of Sir John Dalrymple, Bart. one of the Barons of Exchequer in Scotland, and of Elizabeth Hamilton Macgill, representative of the Viscounts of Oxenford.
Who, tho' heir of ample estates, preferred to a life of indolence and pleasure, the toilsome and perilous profession of a seaman, when his country was in danger.
At the age of eighteen he was one of the Officers who advised Captain Salter, and animated the crew of the Santa Margarita, to attack the Amazon, a French ship of superior force, in sight of the French fleet.
Pleased with a spirit so like his own, that brave Officer, in a desperate action, took her, but his brave adviser sell! yet received, in the public dispatches of his skillful and generous Commander, the honourable testimony, “That he was a worthy and deserving youth, who, had he lived, would have been an ornament to his profession:” Yet leaving to his once happy parents (in whose fond eyes he appeared to promise whatever might be expected from genius, spirit, and the best gift of God, a kind and melting heart,) the endearing remembrance of his virtues.
Father of all! grant to the prayer of a mother and a father, that the surviving children may imitate the qualities of such a brother, and that there may never be wanting to the British youth the spirit to pursue that line of public honour which he marked out for himself and for them!
Obiit July 29, 1782.All the officers in the Amazon were slain in the engagement, and the killed and wounded of the crew were above two hundred.
169
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF COLONEL JAMES WEBSTER.
Onward to the field where Slaughter
Grim bestrides the crimson'd plain,
Britain bleeds; Repulse has taught her
How the strife of war is vain;
Vain the host who proudly vaunting
Glory in their warlike might,
Vain the battle, Heav'n wanting,
To direct the storm aright.
Grim bestrides the crimson'd plain,
Britain bleeds; Repulse has taught her
How the strife of war is vain;
Vain the host who proudly vaunting
Glory in their warlike might,
Vain the battle, Heav'n wanting,
To direct the storm aright.
Hark! the gallant Webster crying,
“Courage, Brothers! of the field;
“What is bleeding! what is dying!
“Britain rests behind your shield.
“Slaves of Bourbon, Slaves of Treason,
“Rob our Country of her right;
“Arms and valour these shall reason
“While we have an arm to fight.”
“Courage, Brothers! of the field;
“What is bleeding! what is dying!
“Britain rests behind your shield.
“Slaves of Bourbon, Slaves of Treason,
“Rob our Country of her right;
“Arms and valour these shall reason
“While we have an arm to fight.”
170
While a thousand deaths were flying,
Fiery Fates destroying round,
One commission'd for his dying,
Sure, too sure, the Hero found.
One step backward proudly bending,
Stagg'ring, pale, the Hero stay'd:
Mortally wounded, yet contending,
Thrice he wav'd his flaming blade.
Fiery Fates destroying round,
One commission'd for his dying,
Sure, too sure, the Hero found.
One step backward proudly bending,
Stagg'ring, pale, the Hero stay'd:
Mortally wounded, yet contending,
Thrice he wav'd his flaming blade.
“Save me, Heaven! from repining;
“Doom of battle is from high!
“Cheerful to my fate resigning,
“For my Country I can die!
“Had just Heav'n pleas'd to lengthen
“Busy life one other day!
“Fleeting life with hope would strengthen
“Britain's trophies to display.
“Doom of battle is from high!
“Cheerful to my fate resigning,
“For my Country I can die!
“Had just Heav'n pleas'd to lengthen
“Busy life one other day!
“Fleeting life with hope would strengthen
“Britain's trophies to display.
“Hark! another summons calling,
“In these gaping wounds away!
“In the bed of glory falling,
“Let me rest without dismay:
“Brief my passage! life warm streaming
“From my heart where ardours glow
“For my Country, fair hopes gleaming
“Shew their bright'ning scenes below.
“In these gaping wounds away!
“In the bed of glory falling,
“Let me rest without dismay:
“Brief my passage! life warm streaming
“From my heart where ardours glow
“For my Country, fair hopes gleaming
“Shew their bright'ning scenes below.
“Bear me where Cornwallis gallant
“Swells the onset; 'neath his Eye;
“Lay me where the Free and Valiant
“Greatly for their Country die.”
Webster spoke: The Chief declining,
Gash'd with wounds in youthful prime,
Peaceful sunk in death reclining,
Like fresh rose in sultry clime.
“Swells the onset; 'neath his Eye;
“Lay me where the Free and Valiant
“Greatly for their Country die.”
171
Gash'd with wounds in youthful prime,
Peaceful sunk in death reclining,
Like fresh rose in sultry clime.
Round the clay cold-Hero lying,
Stretch'd on his untimely bier,
Mourn the Brave. Cornwallis sighing
Sheds the Friends, the Soldiers tear.
Tell loud fame the mournful story,
Which will pierce a Monarch's heart:
To his Country, who shall glory
In her Son, the news impart.
Stretch'd on his untimely bier,
Mourn the Brave. Cornwallis sighing
Sheds the Friends, the Soldiers tear.
Tell loud fame the mournful story,
Which will pierce a Monarch's heart:
To his Country, who shall glory
In her Son, the news impart.
Tell his aged Father, stooping
To the grave, his darling Son
Bled for Britain! Tell him drooping
How his glorious race was run!
Tell a Sister's anguish weeping
O'er her Father's, Brother's grave,
Civic honours, with them sleeping,
Crown the Worthiest and the Brave.
To the grave, his darling Son
Bled for Britain! Tell him drooping
How his glorious race was run!
Tell a Sister's anguish weeping
O'er her Father's, Brother's grave,
Civic honours, with them sleeping,
Crown the Worthiest and the Brave.
St. Andrew's, 1782. St. Salvator's Coll.
173
TO THE IMMORTAL MEMORY OF THE RENOWNED CAPTAIN COOKE .
Humbly inscribed to the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Keppel, First Lord Commissioner, and to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Board of Admiralty.
Wand'ring from clime to clime, observant stray'd,
Their manners noted, and their states survey'd;
On stormy seas unnumber'd toils he bore,
Safe with his friends, to gain his natal shore:
Ah! man unbless'd! Mysterious Fates ordain
Him never more to reach his native plain!
Odys.
Their manners noted, and their states survey'd;
On stormy seas unnumber'd toils he bore,
Safe with his friends, to gain his natal shore:
Ah! man unbless'd! Mysterious Fates ordain
Him never more to reach his native plain!
Odys.
Has Britain such a son, to dare the pole
Where never sail was spread, nor seas did roll,
Chain'd in eternal frost! Through years of toil,
T'explore these unknown coasts: see ocean boil
In storms of freezing horror, storms of fire,
And death, which bid the boldest hearts retire
To Zeeland's joyless bay: bleak refuge sure,
Where, in the dreary clime, Chaos demure
Sits brooding o'er her empire, and combines
The elemental war: Where uproar joins
A thousand voices, and the startling ears
Of wild affright her thousand horrors hears,
Tremendous bursting Icebergs! mountain ice,
Coeval with the storms, floating device
Of ocean, launch'd, to block Antarctic seas
From Cooke's bold search, and the bless'd moment seize
To save the poles. Great, daring, vent'rous Soul!
How couldst thou three times wind the southern pole!
Thrice brave keen famine, death, with vent'rous prow,
And thrice amid the wreck of Chaos go,
With Britain's cross, where never helm did steer:
With thy bold Argonauts, these limits drear
How couldst thou, Jason-like invade, and view,
Undaunted, Argo Navis fires renew
Their radiant path; and mighty Chiron roll
His glitt'ring cohort thrice around the pole!
Such hearts of adamant the gods bestow
On chiefs, who toil that Britain's fame may grow.
Where never sail was spread, nor seas did roll,
Chain'd in eternal frost! Through years of toil,
T'explore these unknown coasts: see ocean boil
174
And death, which bid the boldest hearts retire
To Zeeland's joyless bay: bleak refuge sure,
Where, in the dreary clime, Chaos demure
Sits brooding o'er her empire, and combines
The elemental war: Where uproar joins
A thousand voices, and the startling ears
Of wild affright her thousand horrors hears,
Tremendous bursting Icebergs! mountain ice,
Coeval with the storms, floating device
175
From Cooke's bold search, and the bless'd moment seize
To save the poles. Great, daring, vent'rous Soul!
How couldst thou three times wind the southern pole!
Thrice brave keen famine, death, with vent'rous prow,
And thrice amid the wreck of Chaos go,
With Britain's cross, where never helm did steer:
With thy bold Argonauts, these limits drear
How couldst thou, Jason-like invade, and view,
Undaunted, Argo Navis fires renew
Their radiant path; and mighty Chiron roll
His glitt'ring cohort thrice around the pole!
Such hearts of adamant the gods bestow
On chiefs, who toil that Britain's fame may grow.
Hail Noble Guardians of the subject main!
Whose bold research nor wind nor wave restrain;
Nor winter's freezing horrors of the pole,
Nor arctic nor antarctic can controul:
Go spread your sails! another world to view,
And chiefs your bold researches to pursue,
Send forth as spies, or trace the blissful isles,
Where everlasting spring with Venus smiles,
And youth and beauty in the bow'ring shade
On Eden's couch, by past'ral streams are laid.
Whose bold research nor wind nor wave restrain;
Nor winter's freezing horrors of the pole,
Nor arctic nor antarctic can controul:
Go spread your sails! another world to view,
And chiefs your bold researches to pursue,
Send forth as spies, or trace the blissful isles,
Where everlasting spring with Venus smiles,
And youth and beauty in the bow'ring shade
On Eden's couch, by past'ral streams are laid.
Explore new Canaans, people, commerce, stores
Of nature's knowledge, wid'ning with her shores.
See the the vast waste of ocean boundless roll
O'er either tropic to the freezing pole,
In whose kind lap, the harmless nations lie,
Unknown our guilt beneath a purer sky:
Nor foul disease, till Europe visit paid,
And cruelly, Calypso's Nymphs betray'd.
Of nature's knowledge, wid'ning with her shores.
See the the vast waste of ocean boundless roll
O'er either tropic to the freezing pole,
176
Unknown our guilt beneath a purer sky:
Nor foul disease, till Europe visit paid,
And cruelly, Calypso's Nymphs betray'd.
Visit the frozen isthmus, sea or land,
Which joins the Asian to Nuadas' strand:
Hear Russian Bosphorus, with sullen roar,
Lave with white foam the high approaching shore.
Or see great nature build her chrystal mound
Eternal ice grim ocean's northern bound;
Where these two ample continents disjoin'd
By mighty Neptune, lie in frost combin'd
In strong embrace: There sails no further go,
But tow'ring mountains of chrystalline snow,
With star-eyed Hydra's flaming Orbits glow,
And bid the Spy of ocean southward turn,
Where radiant bands of blazing Orion burn.
Which joins the Asian to Nuadas' strand:
Hear Russian Bosphorus, with sullen roar,
Lave with white foam the high approaching shore.
Or see great nature build her chrystal mound
Eternal ice grim ocean's northern bound;
Where these two ample continents disjoin'd
By mighty Neptune, lie in frost combin'd
In strong embrace: There sails no further go,
But tow'ring mountains of chrystalline snow,
With star-eyed Hydra's flaming Orbits glow,
And bid the Spy of ocean southward turn,
Where radiant bands of blazing Orion burn.
These wint'ry realms of storm explor'd, the muse
Attends the Chief, and hails his ling'ring crews
Amid the Friendly Isles. There peaceful dwell
The Sun's prime offspring in their flow'ry dell;
His gentlest sons and daughters, who defy
The pride of dress in naked majesty:
Nor seek the leaves of Eden to conceal
What nature, climate, custom, there reveal.
Attends the Chief, and hails his ling'ring crews
Amid the Friendly Isles. There peaceful dwell
The Sun's prime offspring in their flow'ry dell;
His gentlest sons and daughters, who defy
The pride of dress in naked majesty:
Nor seek the leaves of Eden to conceal
What nature, climate, custom, there reveal.
177
How sweet your rest beside these murm'ring streams!
How sweet your joys! all fairy golden dreams,
By brightest Nymphs and Genii lull'd asleep,
And ever by young Loves entranced deep
In joys of Paradise. Oh! envy'd wiles!
Of artless beauty, in Calypso's isles!
As fancy guides bold youths! employ your time,
Hark! Britain calls you to another clime.
How sweet your joys! all fairy golden dreams,
By brightest Nymphs and Genii lull'd asleep,
And ever by young Loves entranced deep
In joys of Paradise. Oh! envy'd wiles!
Of artless beauty, in Calypso's isles!
As fancy guides bold youths! employ your time,
Hark! Britain calls you to another clime.
There northern Kametzchatka's dreary strand,
And frozen Isles, your daring toils demand:
Again your British hearts of steel, for see
The surly race in savage chivalry
Brandish the pond'rous club, and peal alarms,
So save their desart clime from British arms.
Their scaly cinctures cast, they raging fling
The pond'rous mass, and launch the whistling sling.
And frozen Isles, your daring toils demand:
Again your British hearts of steel, for see
The surly race in savage chivalry
Brandish the pond'rous club, and peal alarms,
So save their desart clime from British arms.
Their scaly cinctures cast, they raging fling
The pond'rous mass, and launch the whistling sling.
How many cares, how many hopes and fears
Distract the Hero's soul, who faithful rears
Britannia's cross on barb'rous shores, and strives
To keep her honour safe, and precious lives
Intrusted to his guard. No wrongs shall stain
Thy blameless record, where each deed humane
Begilds the page: Bright Mercy's form appears
With Prudence hand in hand, and modest wears
Her angel viel. Ah! mystic fates bequeath
To crown thy worth, the fairest civic wreath.
In direful dangers prov'd, ah! must we come,
Renowned Cooke! to wail thy hapless doom.
Distract the Hero's soul, who faithful rears
Britannia's cross on barb'rous shores, and strives
To keep her honour safe, and precious lives
Intrusted to his guard. No wrongs shall stain
Thy blameless record, where each deed humane
Begilds the page: Bright Mercy's form appears
With Prudence hand in hand, and modest wears
Her angel viel. Ah! mystic fates bequeath
To crown thy worth, the fairest civic wreath.
In direful dangers prov'd, ah! must we come,
Renowned Cooke! to wail thy hapless doom.
178
Exploring various kindred tribes which lie
In lone retreat beneath the eastern sky,
Those secret stores which Providence does hide,
Till Heav'n mysterious draw the veil aside,
And shew her grand Designs: There woful fate
Arrests; which drown'd in tears the Nine relate.
In lone retreat beneath the eastern sky,
Those secret stores which Providence does hide,
Till Heav'n mysterious draw the veil aside,
And shew her grand Designs: There woful fate
Arrests; which drown'd in tears the Nine relate.
Where vast Pacific rolls her ocean stores,
Embracing eastern Sandwich verdant shores,
The lonely Islands verging to the north,
Beneath the tropic stretch their bulwark forth,
Breaking the South Sea foam: There overhead
The champion Sons of brightning Leda lead
Their starry trains to light grim Neptune's way,
For wandring prows who bless the well known ray,
Which nightly guides them, from the deeps of air,
In fair array, winding with radiant glare
Revolving march. By margin of the deep
He met the angry Demon, who did keep
Jealous Hesperian Climes: And guards the poles
Arm'd with black storms. A Dragon now he rolls
His cumb'rous length, with deadly fangs and mail:
A hideous Fury next, with dire assail
Of flaming brand. Anon a Lion, shakes
His brindl'd mane: The deepest forrest quakes
With horrors dire. Behold yon savage Rout,
Rous'd by his roaring, pour with barb'rous shout
In weeds uncouth, in feather'd cinctures proud,
And rugged skins of Phorcis' scaly brood.
Embracing eastern Sandwich verdant shores,
The lonely Islands verging to the north,
Beneath the tropic stretch their bulwark forth,
Breaking the South Sea foam: There overhead
The champion Sons of brightning Leda lead
Their starry trains to light grim Neptune's way,
For wandring prows who bless the well known ray,
Which nightly guides them, from the deeps of air,
In fair array, winding with radiant glare
Revolving march. By margin of the deep
He met the angry Demon, who did keep
Jealous Hesperian Climes: And guards the poles
Arm'd with black storms. A Dragon now he rolls
His cumb'rous length, with deadly fangs and mail:
A hideous Fury next, with dire assail
Of flaming brand. Anon a Lion, shakes
His brindl'd mane: The deepest forrest quakes
With horrors dire. Behold yon savage Rout,
Rous'd by his roaring, pour with barb'rous shout
In weeds uncouth, in feather'd cinctures proud,
And rugged skins of Phorcis' scaly brood.
179
They rush to dread encounter: O'er the strand
The Demon strod, to guard his native land,
With envious glare: “Ye Spoilers, come not here
“To spy our weakness: Britain's brandish'd spear
“Contends in vain. Her Chiefs no further go,
“With over-curious search, my realms to know:
“The secrets of th'immeasurable deep
“Safe with old Chaos in oblivion sleep.
The Demon strod, to guard his native land,
With envious glare: “Ye Spoilers, come not here
“To spy our weakness: Britain's brandish'd spear
“Contends in vain. Her Chiefs no further go,
“With over-curious search, my realms to know:
“The secrets of th'immeasurable deep
“Safe with old Chaos in oblivion sleep.
“Here I your boundary have watchful set,
“To guard my crown, by foreign guile beset.
“The circle's mark'd, which shall your range confine
“In narrow grave: To deal this justice mine.
“Hence back, ambitious Briton! none shall know
“The secrets of my empire; none bestow
“On stranger brows my crown.” He said, and near
The horrid savage Rout for death appear:
The Demon leads, and o'er the purple strand,
They stretch the scanty harmless British band.
There Cooke renown'd, all heaven and earth explor'd,
Fell by the jealous Demon's guilty sword.
“To guard my crown, by foreign guile beset.
“The circle's mark'd, which shall your range confine
“In narrow grave: To deal this justice mine.
“Hence back, ambitious Briton! none shall know
“The secrets of my empire; none bestow
“On stranger brows my crown.” He said, and near
The horrid savage Rout for death appear:
The Demon leads, and o'er the purple strand,
They stretch the scanty harmless British band.
There Cooke renown'd, all heaven and earth explor'd,
Fell by the jealous Demon's guilty sword.
Thrice hapless Chieftain! could this verse avail,
I'd fill the world with thy disastrous tale ;
Renew a Nation's grief, a Monarch's tear,
With decent rites to grace thy mournful bier.
For thee, thy orphan'd Mates in vain deplore,
A mangled corse upon Barbaric shore:
Nereus and Doris, with their Daughter Train,
Bewail thy fate in caverns of the main;
And furious Neptune drives his fiery brood,
To whelm the Fiends drown'd in the briny flood.
I'd fill the world with thy disastrous tale ;
180
With decent rites to grace thy mournful bier.
For thee, thy orphan'd Mates in vain deplore,
A mangled corse upon Barbaric shore:
Nereus and Doris, with their Daughter Train,
Bewail thy fate in caverns of the main;
And furious Neptune drives his fiery brood,
To whelm the Fiends drown'd in the briny flood.
Thou, Widow'd Dame! who o'er his empty tomb
Weeps while fond memory augments thy doom,
Admit the stranger Muse with thee to mourn
The Naval Chief, and monumental urn
Rear in sequester'd grove: With decent wo,
Like thine, her unaffected sorrows flow.
The mournful Muse, who in thy loss takes part,
Who feels the pangs which rend thy widow'd heart,
To soothe thy grief would pious tribute bring
Of lenient hope, shed from her trembling wing.
Weeps while fond memory augments thy doom,
Admit the stranger Muse with thee to mourn
The Naval Chief, and monumental urn
Rear in sequester'd grove: With decent wo,
Like thine, her unaffected sorrows flow.
The mournful Muse, who in thy loss takes part,
Who feels the pangs which rend thy widow'd heart,
To soothe thy grief would pious tribute bring
Of lenient hope, shed from her trembling wing.
Hope, our good angel, with bright radiance crown'd,
With healing hand allays thy bitter stound;
And points thy Cooke, beneath another Sky,
Exploring wonders, with extatic eye;
Where brighter Suns do light him on his way,
And blissful Shores encharm his long delay;
And new discover'd Realms and Tribes receive
Th'amazed Stranger, shipwreck'd, from the wave
Of this dark world, which lib'ral spirits find
Is all a dungeon-prison to the mind,
Which in Etherial Sphere exults to go
Thro' depths of knowledge, never reach'd below,
And reads the God in all. Imperfect here
The tree of knowledge in our twilight Sphere:
But these New Heavens and New Earth proclaim
Transcendently the God: Their glorious frame
Below, leads man to know himself, and raise
'Mid Cherub Choirs, divinest songs of praise
To Him, whose works thro' wide creation's bound
Unknown, how shall heaven's Architect, himself unsearchable, be found!
With healing hand allays thy bitter stound;
And points thy Cooke, beneath another Sky,
Exploring wonders, with extatic eye;
Where brighter Suns do light him on his way,
And blissful Shores encharm his long delay;
And new discover'd Realms and Tribes receive
Th'amazed Stranger, shipwreck'd, from the wave
Of this dark world, which lib'ral spirits find
Is all a dungeon-prison to the mind,
181
Thro' depths of knowledge, never reach'd below,
And reads the God in all. Imperfect here
The tree of knowledge in our twilight Sphere:
But these New Heavens and New Earth proclaim
Transcendently the God: Their glorious frame
Below, leads man to know himself, and raise
'Mid Cherub Choirs, divinest songs of praise
To Him, whose works thro' wide creation's bound
Unknown, how shall heaven's Architect, himself unsearchable, be found!
Exalt thine eye! thy Cooke is gone before
On this last voyage, to that native shore,
Where thou shalt join him, nor be parted more.
Triumph thou lonely Fair! thy Chief shall go
On wings of Fame, beyond where seas shall flow.
Thy Faith and Truth be sung by Britains Fair,
Who nightly did his nuptial robes prepare,
And chang'd, unchang'd thy heart, all joy to wo,
Saw Prince and People tribute tears bestow:
In face of Kindred read the dire alarms
Of Cooke you long'd to welcome in your arms.
On this last voyage, to that native shore,
Where thou shalt join him, nor be parted more.
Triumph thou lonely Fair! thy Chief shall go
On wings of Fame, beyond where seas shall flow.
Thy Faith and Truth be sung by Britains Fair,
Who nightly did his nuptial robes prepare,
And chang'd, unchang'd thy heart, all joy to wo,
Saw Prince and People tribute tears bestow:
In face of Kindred read the dire alarms
Of Cooke you long'd to welcome in your arms.
St. Salvator's Coll. St. Andrew's 1784.
This most intelligent and enterprising Officer was chosen by the Right Honourable the Lords of the Admiralty to conduct the several expeditions which were undertaken between the years 1768 and 1780, for the discovery of the south polar regions, and for exploring the several islands of the Great South Sea. What gave life and vigour to all these researches was the express orders of his present Majesty, the royal and munificent patron of scientific and naval discoveries, so beneficial to the interests of a great maritime state.
How successfully these expeditions were conducted by this most famous circumnavigator is obvious, from the splendid edition of several large volumes, most elegantly illuminated with curious charts and drawings. Such was the avidity of the public to obtain the first impression of such interesting compilations, from the journals of Captain Cooke, that the whole large impression was bought up in the course of a few days, and the price of the book with the learned and curious, on account of the first impression of such elegant charts and engravings, rose from four guineas the set to eighteen guineas, in seven days.
These volumes contain the most authentic, the most curious and interesting narration of all the wonderful discoveries made by this great man, and his very learned associates, the most ingenious and philosophic Mr Banks and Dr Solander, the learned disciple of the great Linnæus; also a particular and minute account of all his many hardy, dangerous, and enterprising voyages.
A new and very elegant edition of the four last volumes is with all expedition now preparing. The work will be executed in the highest taste, by the most eminent London artists, and merits the attention and encouragement of the public, when all things are considered, in a very distinguished manner.
The Hollanders or the Spaniards had unhappily communicated this malady to the inhabitants long before the arrival of Captain Cooke in the South Seas.
The author residing in a remote part of the country, had no opportunity till lately of perusing that most elegant Monody on this mournful subject by the ingenious Miss Seward.
The richly flowing fancy, the fine exertions of true poetic genius, by this Fair Sister of the Muses, had deservedly superseded all farther attempts as vain and unnecessary.
183
TO THE MEMORY OF ALLAN MALCOLM, Esq; Of LOCHORE;
Heir and Representative of the ancient Knights Baronets of Lochore, Captain in the 33d Regiment of Foot, who was mortally wounded at the head of the Advanced Guard, in the moment of victory, over the Provincial Army, and expired with many brave Gentlemen on the field of battle, before the walls of Charlestown.
Vita brevis est, gloriæ cursus sempiternus.
Cic.
Cic.
Hark! the wailing voice of sorrow
Shrieks adown sad Ora's vale,
See the sedgy Sister borrow
Weeds of mourning and bewail!
Youth and valour warm in dangers,
Fall'n in battle, cold as clay,
Slain for Britain, among strangers,
She laments the fatal day.
Shrieks adown sad Ora's vale,
See the sedgy Sister borrow
Weeds of mourning and bewail!
Youth and valour warm in dangers,
Fall'n in battle, cold as clay,
Slain for Britain, among strangers,
She laments the fatal day.
184
Young Sir Malcom, fir'd with glory,
For his country sought the field,
Where her Chiefs renoun'd in story,
Fought with hearts unknown to yield.
Scorning sloth and guilty pleasure,
While his country calls to arms,
With the boldest he would measure
Spears, and rouse the fierce alarms.
For his country sought the field,
Where her Chiefs renoun'd in story,
Fought with hearts unknown to yield.
Scorning sloth and guilty pleasure,
While his country calls to arms,
With the boldest he would measure
Spears, and rouse the fierce alarms.
Gallant spirits! who defying
Danger, in the throat of fate
Toil for Britain, to her dying,
Leave fair honour's vast estate.
“We her champions fiercely warring,
“Spend our blood in mortal strife,
“Toils and dangers, nations daring,
“For our country, death or life.
Danger, in the throat of fate
Toil for Britain, to her dying,
Leave fair honour's vast estate.
“We her champions fiercely warring,
“Spend our blood in mortal strife,
“Toils and dangers, nations daring,
“For our country, death or life.
“Life, her civic honours wreathing,
“These a nation toil'd to save;
“Death, immortal fame bequeathing,
“Be our treasure in the grave.”
Malcolm spoke, amid the burning
Of bright spears he rush'd amain,
Proudest warriors overturning,
How he shook the trembling plain!
“These a nation toil'd to save;
“Death, immortal fame bequeathing,
“Be our treasure in the grave.”
Malcolm spoke, amid the burning
Of bright spears he rush'd amain,
Proudest warriors overturning,
How he shook the trembling plain!
Thrice the broken ranks repairing,
Like a lion o'er his prey,
Fround the youthful Hero, glaring
Terror, death, and wild dismay.
Thrice retreating, thrice advancing
Britain's banners on the foe,
Where a thousand deaths were glancing
He receiv'd a deadly blow.
Like a lion o'er his prey,
Fround the youthful Hero, glaring
Terror, death, and wild dismay.
185
Britain's banners on the foe,
Where a thousand deaths were glancing
He receiv'd a deadly blow.
Wounds retard not bleeding valour,
Scarcely death his lance restrains,
To the last a fierce assailer,
Still he charg'd the flying Trains.
Till the floods of life decaying,
Like the Youth on Timnahs plain,
E'en in death his foes dismaying,
Malcolm sunk amid the slain.
Scarcely death his lance restrains,
To the last a fierce assailer,
Still he charg'd the flying Trains.
Till the floods of life decaying,
Like the Youth on Timnahs plain,
E'en in death his foes dismaying,
Malcolm sunk amid the slain.
Mournful Ora heard the tidings
Ecchoing 'mid her wat'ry bow'rs,
Diving thro' her chalky hidings,
Sad she seeks Atlanta's tow'rs.
In her silver grasp intwining,
There she warms the stiff'ning Clay,
With her fountain Nymphs combining,
There she shrieks in sad dismay.
Ecchoing 'mid her wat'ry bow'rs,
Diving thro' her chalky hidings,
Sad she seeks Atlanta's tow'rs.
In her silver grasp intwining,
There she warms the stiff'ning Clay,
With her fountain Nymphs combining,
There she shrieks in sad dismay.
In her chaste embrace the Warrior
Shrouded pale in Ora's arms,
Passes Ocean's foaming barrier,
Ever dead to war's alarms.
The etherial sp'rits ascending
Swift explore their native sky,
The terrestrial parts attending
O'er the deep with Ora hie.
Shrouded pale in Ora's arms,
Passes Ocean's foaming barrier,
Ever dead to war's alarms.
The etherial sp'rits ascending
Swift explore their native sky,
The terrestrial parts attending
O'er the deep with Ora hie.
186
There beneath the blue waves sitting,
She bewails her clay cold Son,
Fun'ral wreathes of purples knitting,
Thrice she shriek'd his course is run.
Nine times in balmy dews of morning
Ora laves his breathless Clay,
And with king-cup flow'rs adorning,
Hides him where her fountains play.
She bewails her clay cold Son,
Fun'ral wreathes of purples knitting,
Thrice she shriek'd his course is run.
Nine times in balmy dews of morning
Ora laves his breathless Clay,
And with king-cup flow'rs adorning,
Hides him where her fountains play.
In her wat'ry chambers keeping,
All her naids round the bier,
Lota, Gilda, Kenla, weeping,
Wild their raven tresses tear.
“Thine these honours Youth and Valour!
“These our Virgin Griefs bestow,
“Thou couldst brave each rude assailer,
“Thou for others lyest so low”
All her naids round the bier,
Lota, Gilda, Kenla, weeping,
Wild their raven tresses tear.
“Thine these honours Youth and Valour!
“These our Virgin Griefs bestow,
“Thou couldst brave each rude assailer,
“Thou for others lyest so low”
Seven ambrosial drops selecting,
Where in caves her fountains run,
In his torpid ear injecting,
With meet rhymes, she call'd her Son.
Gentle Ora learn'd the magic
In Levinia's chrystal hall,
When the Sisters mourn'd so tragic
Caledon's untimely fall.
Where in caves her fountains run,
In his torpid ear injecting,
With meet rhymes, she call'd her Son.
Gentle Ora learn'd the magic
In Levinia's chrystal hall,
When the Sisters mourn'd so tragic
Caledon's untimely fall.
187
Then from secret gulphs enraging,
She, with Leven's deluge wide,
Sweno's bloody Peers engaging,
Whelm'd 'em deep in Fortha's tide.
Hence the brightest Nymph of Ocean
Taught her spells of Old Albain,
To recal, by mystic lotion,
Fearless Youths in battle slain.
She, with Leven's deluge wide,
Sweno's bloody Peers engaging,
Whelm'd 'em deep in Fortha's tide.
Hence the brightest Nymph of Ocean
Taught her spells of Old Albain,
To recal, by mystic lotion,
Fearless Youths in battle slain.
By the boon of Shepherd Royal,
Who could tread the Syrian lake,
Will at times the Chieftain loyal
From his deathlike trance awake:
And at certain seasons fitting,
He is known by kindred train,
By his Mother, Father sitting,
Warding evil, grief, or pain.
Who could tread the Syrian lake,
Will at times the Chieftain loyal
From his deathlike trance awake:
And at certain seasons fitting,
He is known by kindred train,
By his Mother, Father sitting,
Warding evil, grief, or pain.
188
Fancy sees young Malcolm stalking
Nightly in his lonely hall;
Kindred Fancy hears him talking,
Where the airy voices call:
Fond Remembrance views him sporting
At the toils which charm the brave;
Lavinia's Nymphs, with dawn resorting,
Mark his horn adown the wave.
Nightly in his lonely hall;
Kindred Fancy hears him talking,
Where the airy voices call:
Fond Remembrance views him sporting
At the toils which charm the brave;
Lavinia's Nymphs, with dawn resorting,
Mark his horn adown the wave.
From her chrystal lakes o'erflowing,
Mournful Ora loves to weep;
Hark! her whisp'ring reeds rank growing,
In her tears their plainings steep.
With indignant currents wand'ring,
Sullen, slow, She winds her tide,
From deep Dens and Spells meand'ring,
Where accursed Wizards hide.
Mournful Ora loves to weep;
Hark! her whisp'ring reeds rank growing,
In her tears their plainings steep.
With indignant currents wand'ring,
Sullen, slow, She winds her tide,
From deep Dens and Spells meand'ring,
Where accursed Wizards hide.
They with Hags and Demons plotting,
Just, nor good, nor pity know;
But the human feature bloating,
Jeer in scorn at deepest wo:
They with Scoundrel Tribe assailing,
Lewdness, Riot, Envy pale,
Ruthless drive the Muse bewailing
Far from gentle Ora's vale.
Just, nor good, nor pity know;
But the human feature bloating,
Jeer in scorn at deepest wo:
They with Scoundrel Tribe assailing,
Lewdness, Riot, Envy pale,
Ruthless drive the Muse bewailing
Far from gentle Ora's vale.
Yet the banish'd Halcyon hiding,
Loves by groves and streams to dwell,
In Arcadian train confiding,
Seeks, sweet Tweed! thy flow'ry dell.
Native valleys! streams! and mountains!
Yarrow! Jed! fair Tiviot's wave!
'Mid refuge of your hallow'd fountains,
From vile fang of Harpies save.
Loves by groves and streams to dwell,
In Arcadian train confiding,
Seeks, sweet Tweed! thy flow'ry dell.
189
Yarrow! Jed! fair Tiviot's wave!
'Mid refuge of your hallow'd fountains,
From vile fang of Harpies save.
Take me to your green retreating,
Where the Sisters Nine reside,
Where, in bright assemblage meeting,
Beauty, Valour, Worth, abide.
Leave, Oh! leave me not to languish
That I sung the Loyal Brave;
Soothe the bursting heart of anguish,
Decking once each hallow'd Grave.
Where the Sisters Nine reside,
Where, in bright assemblage meeting,
Beauty, Valour, Worth, abide.
Leave, Oh! leave me not to languish
That I sung the Loyal Brave;
Soothe the bursting heart of anguish,
Decking once each hallow'd Grave.
The tuneful Nine, in angel pity,
Steep the Muse's melting strain;
Scotia hears the Shepherd's ditty,
Sung by her bright Virgin Train.
Genii of her lakes arising,
Nightly guard each Hero's bier!
Wat'ry Naids! Merit prizing,
O'er them weep the sacred tear.
Steep the Muse's melting strain;
Scotia hears the Shepherd's ditty,
Sung by her bright Virgin Train.
Genii of her lakes arising,
Nightly guard each Hero's bier!
Wat'ry Naids! Merit prizing,
O'er them weep the sacred tear.
O'er the silver flow'rets tripping,
Which embroider ev'ry lake,
Fairy Elves! your orgies keeping,
Carol till fresh morn awake!
Echo's coyest Nymphs! resorting,
Leave your ivy-mantl'd cell,
And with herald Fame reporting,
Wide their civic virtues tell!
Which embroider ev'ry lake,
Fairy Elves! your orgies keeping,
Carol till fresh morn awake!
Echo's coyest Nymphs! resorting,
Leave your ivy-mantl'd cell,
And with herald Fame reporting,
Wide their civic virtues tell!
190
Village Maids and Swains, reclining,
From your toils, at ev'ning hour,
Hear the Warrior Shades repining!
See their torch in storied bow'r!
Peaceful rest their silent dwelling,
By Atlanta's western lake,
Till the Sovereign Pow'r compelling,
Bid their dust to life awake.
From your toils, at ev'ning hour,
Hear the Warrior Shades repining!
See their torch in storied bow'r!
Peaceful rest their silent dwelling,
By Atlanta's western lake,
Till the Sovereign Pow'r compelling,
Bid their dust to life awake.
Caledonia guards their glory,
Which the Loyal Brave have won,
Deathless in the Muses story,
Shall their honour'd plaudit run.
Tweed shall waft the fav'rite ditty
Down her rural, devious wave,
While their Parents bursting pity
Fresh bedews their early Grave.
Which the Loyal Brave have won,
Deathless in the Muses story,
Shall their honour'd plaudit run.
Tweed shall waft the fav'rite ditty
Down her rural, devious wave,
While their Parents bursting pity
Fresh bedews their early Grave.
St Salvator's Coll. St Andrew's.
In the old war songs the Scottish Princes had their names from the territories over which they presided; so the ancient Caledonia, Scotia, Angusia, Argathelia, &c.
The Scandian Princes, as the most ancient records inform us, frequently invaded Caledonia. The Friths of Moray, Tay, and Forth, which water the eastern coasts, were navigable for a long way by their numerous fleets of small burthen.
Landing their troops about Whitsuntide, near the river Leven, then, with all her tributary brooks, overflowing her banks, they were defeated by Constantine 2d, with great slaughter. Great numbers perished in the river in attempting to escape the sword. This Prince, much renowned for his justice and valour in war, was afterwards cruelly murdered by these desperadoes in a cave near Crail.
Some noted obelisks mark the field of battle to this day; and, on the north banks of the river Leven, are still to be seen the most famous monuments of the Scandian Princes who fell in this desperate invasion. These battles were fought an. 874.
191
TO THE MEMORY OF THE HONOURABLE HAMILTON DOUGLAS HALYBURTON,
BROTHER OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON, First Lieutenant under Commodore Sir Charles Douglas, on the American station, who, with all his brave Fellow Officers, unhappily perished in a tempest, on the Jersey shore, whither they had gone to quell a mutiny among the British seamen.
Sunt lachrymæ rerum.
In his lofty ship revolving
Watchful cares for Britain's fate,
'Mid his fearless Chiefs resolving,
High, the warlike Douglas sat.
By merit rais'd to envy'd station,
He who rules his native main,
To restrain the rebel nation,
Sends the Bold with Chosen Train.
Watchful cares for Britain's fate,
'Mid his fearless Chiefs resolving,
High, the warlike Douglas sat.
By merit rais'd to envy'd station,
He who rules his native main,
To restrain the rebel nation,
Sends the Bold with Chosen Train.
192
With the dauntless Knight consorting,
Noble Douglas, stern in strife,
Leads his Heroes Brave, resorting
For their Country, death or life.
Fiends of discord, fiends of ruin
Their abhor'd dissentions spread,
Like fell pest'lence, undoing
All that Loyal Virtue bred.
Noble Douglas, stern in strife,
Leads his Heroes Brave, resorting
For their Country, death or life.
Fiends of discord, fiends of ruin
Their abhor'd dissentions spread,
Like fell pest'lence, undoing
All that Loyal Virtue bred.
Wide and far the plagues of faction,
Like the brood of Sin and Death,
Drive the nations to distraction,
Famine, fire, and sword, and wrath.
Sons of Belial proud assailing,
On vast wings of havoc flew,
And their rebel shame unveiling,
Tempt with guile the British Crew.
Like the brood of Sin and Death,
Drive the nations to distraction,
Famine, fire, and sword, and wrath.
Sons of Belial proud assailing,
On vast wings of havoc flew,
And their rebel shame unveiling,
Tempt with guile the British Crew.
193
All beneath the mask of friendship
Treason crys, “Your toils are vain!
“Vain your strife, your cares, and hardship,
“Fortune crowns our freeborn Train!
“Shall vile yoke of courtly Minion
“Thrall the free unshakl'd soul!
“Shall their guilty base Dominion
“All your joys of life controul!
Treason crys, “Your toils are vain!
“Vain your strife, your cares, and hardship,
“Fortune crowns our freeborn Train!
“Shall vile yoke of courtly Minion
“Thrall the free unshakl'd soul!
“Shall their guilty base Dominion
“All your joys of life controul!
“Sons of Freedom! Heirs of Pleasure!
“Fly the jail of loyal Slaves,
“Seek the Goddess golden Treasure,
“Freedom hides beyond the waves.”
Strange to tell, the Sons of Ocean,
Late so loyal, rough, and bold,
Poison'd by the Syren potion,
Barter all for rebel gold.
“Fly the jail of loyal Slaves,
“Seek the Goddess golden Treasure,
“Freedom hides beyond the waves.”
Strange to tell, the Sons of Ocean,
Late so loyal, rough, and bold,
Poison'd by the Syren potion,
Barter all for rebel gold.
Hark the noble Douglas calling
“Arm ye Brave! for traytors doom;
“By your sword of justice falling,
“Treason meets a wat'ry tomb.
“Thro' the Navy burns infection,
“Loyal mark your Country's cry;
“Stem, bold Chiefs, the tides of faction,
“Or with Douglas dare to die.
“Arm ye Brave! for traytors doom;
“By your sword of justice falling,
“Treason meets a wat'ry tomb.
“Thro' the Navy burns infection,
“Loyal mark your Country's cry;
“Stem, bold Chiefs, the tides of faction,
“Or with Douglas dare to die.
“Go, thou bravest Son of Thunder,”
Crys the fearless Douglas Knight,
“May thine arm disperse asunder
“Thousands in the mortal fight.
“May thy chosen Band so gallant
“For their Country rich return,
“Wreaths of glory wait the Valiant,
“Who the scales of danger turn.”
Crys the fearless Douglas Knight,
“May thine arm disperse asunder
“Thousands in the mortal fight.
194
“For their Country rich return,
“Wreaths of glory wait the Valiant,
“Who the scales of danger turn.”
Far, their chearful shouts resounding,
Douglas climbs the blue top'd wave;
Swift on snowy pennons bounding,
They the furrow'd ocean cleave.
As the royal eagle flying,
Drives the troublers of his reign,
Wasteful vultures shrilly crying
Down the steep etherial plain.
Douglas climbs the blue top'd wave;
Swift on snowy pennons bounding,
They the furrow'd ocean cleave.
As the royal eagle flying,
Drives the troublers of his reign,
Wasteful vultures shrilly crying
Down the steep etherial plain.
So before him fled the traitors,
Spent with toil, a hapless prey,
Remorse and terror mark their features,
Sunk in trembling and dismay.
Now submissive, kneel th'offenders,
Nor in vain to Douglas pray'd,
He, for them, and their defenders,
The keen sword of justice stay'd.
Spent with toil, a hapless prey,
Remorse and terror mark their features,
Sunk in trembling and dismay.
Now submissive, kneel th'offenders,
Nor in vain to Douglas pray'd,
He, for them, and their defenders,
The keen sword of justice stay'd.
Now they penitent returning,
To the Chief allegiance swore,
And with shame and sorrow burning,
Leave the hated Syren shore.
When the foaming billows roaring,
Prelude to the coming storm,
Lift the barge of Douglas soaring
On rough edge of waves deform.
To the Chief allegiance swore,
And with shame and sorrow burning,
Leave the hated Syren shore.
When the foaming billows roaring,
Prelude to the coming storm,
Lift the barge of Douglas soaring
On rough edge of waves deform.
195
In dire conflict, winds engaging,
Loud and hoarse, outstorm the waves,
And with uproar wild enraging,
Vex old Ocean's deepest caves.
On the horrent summit riding,
As on headlong verge of fate,
Noble Douglas, firm confiding,
Thus bespeaks each trembling mate.
Loud and hoarse, outstorm the waves,
And with uproar wild enraging,
Vex old Ocean's deepest caves.
On the horrent summit riding,
As on headlong verge of fate,
Noble Douglas, firm confiding,
Thus bespeaks each trembling mate.
“Courage, Brothers! fearless Britain
“Rides the storm of angry waves;
“And by many tempests beaten,
“Undismay'd their rudeness braves.
“Amid toils and death, our station
“The superior Fates have plac'd:
“In her Sons th'unconquer'd Nation
“Ne'er by us shall be disgrac'd.
“Rides the storm of angry waves;
“And by many tempests beaten,
“Undismay'd their rudeness braves.
“Amid toils and death, our station
“The superior Fates have plac'd:
“In her Sons th'unconquer'd Nation
“Ne'er by us shall be disgrac'd.
“Calm within, the Brave resigning,
“'Mid tempestous seas repose:
“Guilt, on downy couch reclining,
“Never peace nor resting knows.”
Anon, the tempest, Courage speaking,
To resistless fury grew,
All their hopes and fortunes wrecking,
Tenfold horrors rush in view.
“'Mid tempestous seas repose:
“Guilt, on downy couch reclining,
“Never peace nor resting knows.”
Anon, the tempest, Courage speaking,
To resistless fury grew,
All their hopes and fortunes wrecking,
Tenfold horrors rush in view.
Furious winds the onset blowing,
Rain, with thunder, fire, and hail,
Mountain waves to heav'n growing,
Wild for death, the Band assail.
“Earth and Heav'n, Air and Ocean,”
Douglas cries, “have all decreed,
“In this direful rude commotion,
“That our loyal hearts should bleed.
Rain, with thunder, fire, and hail,
Mountain waves to heav'n growing,
Wild for death, the Band assail.
196
Douglas cries, “have all decreed,
“In this direful rude commotion,
“That our loyal hearts should bleed.
“Icy hand of Death is closing
“Fast on all; in close embrace
“Let us perish! firm reposing
“Lasting hope in Heav'n's Grace.”
Art and courage nought availing,
Freezing cold arrests the Brave:
Death their glowing hearts assailing,
Chills them 'mid the boiling wave.
“Fast on all; in close embrace
“Let us perish! firm reposing
“Lasting hope in Heav'n's Grace.”
Art and courage nought availing,
Freezing cold arrests the Brave:
Death their glowing hearts assailing,
Chills them 'mid the boiling wave.
There the angry Demons shrieking,
'Mid the wint'ry tempest flew,
Vengeance for their kindred wrecking,
Whom the Brave in battle slew.
Airy ghosts of widows wailing
England's youth, by Douglas slain,
Wrathful, hagard looks unveiling,
Swell the horrors of the main.
'Mid the wint'ry tempest flew,
Vengeance for their kindred wrecking,
Whom the Brave in battle slew.
Airy ghosts of widows wailing
England's youth, by Douglas slain,
Wrathful, hagard looks unveiling,
Swell the horrors of the main.
'Mid th'etherial uproar riding,
These with storm the youths o'ercast,
And in icy mantle hiding,
Bleach them in the northern blast.
Adieu, ye Bravest! death enduring
For your Country: Jealous Fate
Stamps your exit; praise securing,
Herald Fame shall on you wait.
These with storm the youths o'ercast,
And in icy mantle hiding,
Bleach them in the northern blast.
Adieu, ye Bravest! death enduring
For your Country: Jealous Fate
Stamps your exit; praise securing,
Herald Fame shall on you wait.
197
Long your Country mourn, lamenting
O'er her Children: Th'adverse Crew
Of hostile faction, sad relenting,
Hang your tomb with trophies due.
Hark! the wild fowl, shrilly wailing,
Sing their dirge: The airy Throng,
With British oak their brows inveiling,
Guard each hallow'd Corse from wrong.
O'er her Children: Th'adverse Crew
Of hostile faction, sad relenting,
Hang your tomb with trophies due.
Hark! the wild fowl, shrilly wailing,
Sing their dirge: The airy Throng,
With British oak their brows inveiling,
Guard each hallow'd Corse from wrong.
'Mid his Bands, in speechless sorrow,
Long shall Douglas mourn the Brave:
Fond Remembrance ever borrow
Wreaths to hang their hallow'd Grave.
Long, with grief, their Kindred bending,
Shall bedew their empty urn:
Long, the tuneful Sisters, blending
Verse with tears, in pity mourn.
Long shall Douglas mourn the Brave:
Fond Remembrance ever borrow
Wreaths to hang their hallow'd Grave.
Long, with grief, their Kindred bending,
Shall bedew their empty urn:
Long, the tuneful Sisters, blending
Verse with tears, in pity mourn.
St. Salvator's Coll. St Andrew's, March 1784.
Against all earnest intreaties of Sir Charles Douglas, the Hon. Hamilton Douglas Halyburton went with the following officers into the barge to stay the mutiny of the seamen, viz. Lieutenant James Champion of Marines, Messrs James Haywood, Charles Gascoine, William Sprey, George Towers, George Faddy, William Scott, David Reddie, and Alexander Johnston.
They were some hours after put ashore upon the Jersey side, and after the tempest abated were all found frozen to death in one another's arms. The other three gentlemen, Messrs Andrew Hamilton, Robert Wood, and William Thomlison, were also found frozen at a little distance: They had attempted to reach the shelter of a house.
See the letter from Commodore Sir Charles Douglas, London Chronicle, May 6, 1784.
| The Poetical Works of the Revd. Mr. Colvill | |