 | Miscellanies in Prose and Verse |  |
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On Captain JAMES CORNWALL, by the Right Hon. Sir George Lyttleton, Bart.
To the Memory ofCaptain JAMES CORNWALL,
Commander of his Majesty's ship the Marlborough,
Who was slain in the engagement with the
French and Spanish fleets,
Off Toulon,
February 11th, 1743–4,
This Monument was erected,
At the public expence,
In consequence of a Vote of the House of Commons, who addressed his MAJESTY for that purpose.
THO' Britain's genius hung her drooping head,
And mourn'd her ancient naval glory fled;
On that fam'd day, when France, combin'd with Spain,
Strove for the wide dominion of the main:
Yet, Cornwall, all with gen'ral voice agree,
To pay the tribute of applause to thee.
When his bold chief, in thickest fight engag'd,
Unequal war with Spain's proud leader wag'd,
With indignation mov'd, he timely came,
To rescue from reproach his country's name:
Success too dearly did his valour crown,
He sav'd his leader's life, but lost his own.
And mourn'd her ancient naval glory fled;
On that fam'd day, when France, combin'd with Spain,
Strove for the wide dominion of the main:
164
To pay the tribute of applause to thee.
When his bold chief, in thickest fight engag'd,
Unequal war with Spain's proud leader wag'd,
With indignation mov'd, he timely came,
To rescue from reproach his country's name:
Success too dearly did his valour crown,
He sav'd his leader's life, but lost his own.
These fun'ral rites a grateful nation pays,
That latest times may learn the hero's praise;
And chiefs, like him, shall unrepining bleed,
When senates thus reward the glorious deed.
That latest times may learn the hero's praise;
And chiefs, like him, shall unrepining bleed,
When senates thus reward the glorious deed.
| Miscellanies in Prose and Verse | |