A Tribute To The Memory of Lord Nelson :: :: University of Virginia Library

A Tribute To The Memory of Lord Nelson

[by Percival Stockdale]

Stockdale, Percival (1736-1811)

[section]

[When ev'ry Briton feels his country's cost]

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Lo! vic'try again! now, when the leagued North,
To join the tyrant pour'd her legions forth,

When icy Baltic gleam'd with fearful war,
(So Thracia's sons of old throng'd round their idol's car,)
Bright Vict'ry call'd Britannia to her side:
Abash'd Britannia, thron'd again to ride
In Vict'ry's seat, to favour'd Nelson's share
Blushing the chaplet gave, for him again to wear.
That glorious day what Muse can duly praise,
Or sing immortal deeds in mortal lays?
So fought they, as if through the northern stood
Odin had rang'd, insatiate still for blood ,
When regal Denmark's court, in deep dismay
Supended, saw the swerving battle's fray:
Fearful Spectatrix! for what hand could check
The sweeping carnage of each sinking deck?
Yet Nelson's could!—Great soul! 'twas left for thee
To soften rig'rous war by charity;

Compassion calls, and Vict'ry's heard no more—
His peaceful streamers seek the hostile shore;
What Pity crav'd the generous victor gave;
'Midst glory won, 'twas glory higher to save.

The dread of Odin corrupted the religion of the North. He made himself feared by his conquests, and became afterwards an object of superstition. Souls of the slain were dedicated to him. —Vide Mallett's Northern Antiquities, c. v. and vi.