State Tracts Containing Many Necessary Observations and Reflections on the State of our Affairs at Home and Abroad; With some Secret Memoirs. By the Author of the Examiner [i.e. William Oldisworth] |
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A Poetical ESSAY ON THE Last Sea-fight with the French
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A Poetical ESSAY ON THE Last Sea-fight with the French ,
August 12. 1704.
I sing the Pride of Albion, and the Pow'r
That guards our own, but threats the Gallick Shore.
To Britain's Glory, I my Song prepare,
Britain, the Arbiter of Peace and War,
How glorious Her extended Canvas shows,
Her Navy, how commanding to Her Foes,
To whose Majestick Height, all Europe bows?
That guards our own, but threats the Gallick Shore.
To Britain's Glory, I my Song prepare,
Britain, the Arbiter of Peace and War,
How glorious Her extended Canvas shows,
Her Navy, how commanding to Her Foes,
To whose Majestick Height, all Europe bows?
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Then tell, my Muse, if thou can'st well express,
Such wond'rous Greatness in the Art of Verse;
How Albion's Fame does more at large appear,
When armed Fleets Sail thro' the yielding Air,
And awe the Neighb'ring Worlds with pannick Fear.
Such wond'rous Greatness in the Art of Verse;
How Albion's Fame does more at large appear,
When armed Fleets Sail thro' the yielding Air,
And awe the Neighb'ring Worlds with pannick Fear.
Tell, how the sharpen'd Keel divides the Main,
And how the turgid Waves press in again;
How fond their close Embraces they pursue,
And Kiss their Verdure into Azure Blew.
And how the turgid Waves press in again;
How fond their close Embraces they pursue,
And Kiss their Verdure into Azure Blew.
Tell, how these floating Citadels prepare
For Friendly Union, or Destructive War:
In Strife, how like Leviathan they move,
And when they speak, how like the Voice of Jove;
How many Prodigies we here may find,
And see with what great Art they are design'd;
How nicely weigh'd is ev'ry pond'rous Beam,
And how each closely fitted to its Frame;
With what Command the Rudder guides the Hulk,
How such Proportion in the Massy Bulk.
For Friendly Union, or Destructive War:
In Strife, how like Leviathan they move,
And when they speak, how like the Voice of Jove;
How many Prodigies we here may find,
And see with what great Art they are design'd;
How nicely weigh'd is ev'ry pond'rous Beam,
And how each closely fitted to its Frame;
With what Command the Rudder guides the Hulk,
How such Proportion in the Massy Bulk.
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Tell this, and Twice Ten Thousand Wonders more,
These that in wond'rous Machines we explore.
And when we've all our Admiration cloy'd,
Observe to what great Ends they are imploy'd:
What God-like Souls the chief Directors are;
Then view the Myst'ry with the last Despair,
When prudent Conduct gives the great Command,
These Wooden Worlds obey the Ruling Hand.
These that in wond'rous Machines we explore.
And when we've all our Admiration cloy'd,
Observe to what great Ends they are imploy'd:
What God-like Souls the chief Directors are;
Then view the Myst'ry with the last Despair,
When prudent Conduct gives the great Command,
These Wooden Worlds obey the Ruling Hand.
Now was the time when the hot Syrian Dog
Infects the Seas with ev'ry noisom Fog;
The Month the Roman Senate did decree,
Perpetual, to Augustus Memory.
In those same Seas, where that fam'd Cæsar fought,
And where at Actium, he such Glory got;
Great Albion's Navy did with Thunder roar,
Dreadful to Africk, and th'Iberian Shore:
In that renown'd Cantabrian Ocean, She
Display'd Her British Flags of Victory.
Infects the Seas with ev'ry noisom Fog;
The Month the Roman Senate did decree,
Perpetual, to Augustus Memory.
In those same Seas, where that fam'd Cæsar fought,
And where at Actium, he such Glory got;
Great Albion's Navy did with Thunder roar,
Dreadful to Africk, and th'Iberian Shore:
In that renown'd Cantabrian Ocean, She
Display'd Her British Flags of Victory.
The wond'rous Tale of Actium must be lost,
When this is told on the same Barbary Coast;
The Battel of Lepanto quite forgot,
Where this, the Greatest, and the last was fought;
This Battel, which at once made Europe know
What Albion cou'd, what Gallia cou'd not do.
When this is told on the same Barbary Coast;
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Where this, the Greatest, and the last was fought;
This Battel, which at once made Europe know
What Albion cou'd, what Gallia cou'd not do.
In Tyrrhene Seas near proud Iberia's Shore,
Insulted often by the Barbarous Moor,
Aspiring France her Canvas Wings display'd,
Pluming her self with Thoughts to be Obey'd,
She spread her Sails, and her vast Anchors weigh'd.
Insulted often by the Barbarous Moor,
Aspiring France her Canvas Wings display'd,
Pluming her self with Thoughts to be Obey'd,
She spread her Sails, and her vast Anchors weigh'd.
With flattering Pomp, she made the Watry Main
Servile to her, and her Majestick Train.
Servile to her, and her Majestick Train.
But see, fair Albion's Fleet from Africk's Shore,
Soon does the Hopes and Fears of France explore;
Her Peacock Train hoisted with so much Pride
Late on her Top-masts Head, now's laid aside,
They take th'Alarm, and for the Charge prepare,
Swoln big with Conquest, tho' possess'd with Fear.
Soon does the Hopes and Fears of France explore;
Her Peacock Train hoisted with so much Pride
Late on her Top-masts Head, now's laid aside,
They take th'Alarm, and for the Charge prepare,
Swoln big with Conquest, tho' possess'd with Fear.
Africk and Spain both saw th'amazing Sight,
And look'd with Horror at th'approaching Fight:
They saw with Wonder, what encreas'd their Fear,
And shook like Cowards, as the Fleets drew near:
In dire Amaze, the Spaniards saw that Day,
That must enforce their Nation, either way,
Be Slaves to France, or Charles the Third obey.
And look'd with Horror at th'approaching Fight:
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And shook like Cowards, as the Fleets drew near:
In dire Amaze, the Spaniards saw that Day,
That must enforce their Nation, either way,
Be Slaves to France, or Charles the Third obey.
From their steep Clifts, they saw both Navies come,
Crowding their Sails, like Clouds before a Storm;
The Air grew dark, and all the Lights of Heaven
Seem'd in Eclipse; as when a Sea is driven
By Lybian Winds, that on the Beeches roar,
And cast the Billows on th'Iberian Shoar,
The Flood breaks in, the frighted People fly,
And more by Flight, than by the Tempest Die;
The Surging Waves swell still in higher Pride,
And sport in Triumph on the raging Tide:
While the sad Shore, thus vanquish'd with Despair,
Yields to the Waves, and the tormenting Air.
Crowding their Sails, like Clouds before a Storm;
The Air grew dark, and all the Lights of Heaven
Seem'd in Eclipse; as when a Sea is driven
By Lybian Winds, that on the Beeches roar,
And cast the Billows on th'Iberian Shoar,
The Flood breaks in, the frighted People fly,
And more by Flight, than by the Tempest Die;
The Surging Waves swell still in higher Pride,
And sport in Triumph on the raging Tide:
While the sad Shore, thus vanquish'd with Despair,
Yields to the Waves, and the tormenting Air.
So stood the Spaniards on the Neighbouring Shore,
And so, with dreadful Aspects look'd the Moor,
The loud Mouth'd Cannon quickly did repeat,
The General's Brav'ry, and the Sailors Heat:
Gallia return'd with Fire, their glorious Rage,
And now the Murd'ring Engines of the War Engage.
And so, with dreadful Aspects look'd the Moor,
The loud Mouth'd Cannon quickly did repeat,
The General's Brav'ry, and the Sailors Heat:
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And now the Murd'ring Engines of the War Engage.
Now Shot pours in, like ratling Show'rs of Hail,
Or Spouts that in the Western Ocean fall;
Now Darkness Black as Hell, that wou'd affright,
And Fire breaks out, like Lightning in the Night;
Thick Sulp'rous Flames spread o'er the Beamy Skies,
Not to give Light, but blind the Soldiers Eyes,
While Horror still encreases with their Cries.
Deaf'ned with Noise, Amaz'd with sudden Blows,
Now 'mong the Sailors more Confusion grows;
Their Shrowds are torn, Masts by the Ship-board fall,
And Rage and dire Destruction reigns thro' all.
Or Spouts that in the Western Ocean fall;
Now Darkness Black as Hell, that wou'd affright,
And Fire breaks out, like Lightning in the Night;
Thick Sulp'rous Flames spread o'er the Beamy Skies,
Not to give Light, but blind the Soldiers Eyes,
While Horror still encreases with their Cries.
Deaf'ned with Noise, Amaz'd with sudden Blows,
Now 'mong the Sailors more Confusion grows;
Their Shrowds are torn, Masts by the Ship-board fall,
And Rage and dire Destruction reigns thro' all.
Here Legs and Arms in wild Disorder lie,
While furious Flames amidst the Tackling fly:
This way they run to prop the falling Mast,
Then leave't, to save the sinking Ship with haste:
Here a Broad-side has pour'd a Deluge in,
Then at the Pump they Work with all their main,
To pour the Sea into the Sea again.
While furious Flames amidst the Tackling fly:
This way they run to prop the falling Mast,
Then leave't, to save the sinking Ship with haste:
Here a Broad-side has pour'd a Deluge in,
Then at the Pump they Work with all their main,
To pour the Sea into the Sea again.
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Now the Fight rages, now the Battel's hot,
And e'ery Sailor to his Business got;
Gen'ral with Gen'ral now design'dly meet,
While Shovel Thunders thro' the Gallick Fleet,
And streaming Flags lie shatter'd at his Feet.
Whole Show'rs of Fiery Balls on Ship-board rain,
While the dread Sounds disturb th'Atlantick Main;
For Sovereignty the Bellowing Engines roar,
And make their Claim known to each distant Shore.
And e'ery Sailor to his Business got;
Gen'ral with Gen'ral now design'dly meet,
While Shovel Thunders thro' the Gallick Fleet,
And streaming Flags lie shatter'd at his Feet.
Whole Show'rs of Fiery Balls on Ship-board rain,
While the dread Sounds disturb th'Atlantick Main;
For Sovereignty the Bellowing Engines roar,
And make their Claim known to each distant Shore.
Ev'n Neptune trembles at th'impetuous Shocks,
Forsakes the Deep, for Safety, seeks the Rocks.
But Earth and Seas, the dire Convulsions feel,
The frantick Waves, like Drunkards, toss, and reel,
And tumble too and fro, the mighty Keel:
Rouling 'gainst Seas, her Massy Ribs are split,
And forc'd in this Combustion to resit:
Others like burning Beacons do appear,
Stor'd well with Pitchy Cordage, and with Tar.
Forsakes the Deep, for Safety, seeks the Rocks.
But Earth and Seas, the dire Convulsions feel,
The frantick Waves, like Drunkards, toss, and reel,
And tumble too and fro, the mighty Keel:
Rouling 'gainst Seas, her Massy Ribs are split,
And forc'd in this Combustion to resit:
Others like burning Beacons do appear,
Stor'd well with Pitchy Cordage, and with Tar.
Next see a horrible and hideous Blast,
Blow up the Deck, and rend the sturdy Mast;
Break the tuff Oak in Splinters thro' the Sky,
Then force the pond'rous Waves in Air to fly;
While mangled Limbs amidst the Surges ride,
Toss'd by the Sea, in a disdainful Pride.
Blow up the Deck, and rend the sturdy Mast;
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Then force the pond'rous Waves in Air to fly;
While mangled Limbs amidst the Surges ride,
Toss'd by the Sea, in a disdainful Pride.
The Eastern Winds drive on the roaring Train,
That fret the angry Billows of the Main:
Now Nereus Foams, and now the storming Tide,
With Violence 'gainst ev'ry Ship does ride;
Waves fall on Waves, and Seas on Seas are driven,
Then break, like Thunder-Claps that fall from Heaven.
That fret the angry Billows of the Main:
Now Nereus Foams, and now the storming Tide,
With Violence 'gainst ev'ry Ship does ride;
Waves fall on Waves, and Seas on Seas are driven,
Then break, like Thunder-Claps that fall from Heaven.
Both Sides attack, both Sides alike defend,
This gives the Charge, the other Aids his Friend.
Sometimes they hope, sometimes they doubtful grow,
While Death strikes sure on both at ev'ry Blow.
This gives the Charge, the other Aids his Friend.
Sometimes they hope, sometimes they doubtful grow,
While Death strikes sure on both at ev'ry Blow.
Conquest leans here, then on the other side,
Like boist'rous Winds that drive th'unruly Tide:
Here one drops down, his Room another fills,
That a huge Ball, this a small Splinter Kills;
His Friend succeeds him, takes the vacant Place,
And falls himself within a little space.
Heaps crowd on Heaps, and Groans so dreadful grow,
The hideous Objects from their Sight they throw,
And in their Cries, sink to the Deep below.
Like boist'rous Winds that drive th'unruly Tide:
Here one drops down, his Room another fills,
That a huge Ball, this a small Splinter Kills;
His Friend succeeds him, takes the vacant Place,
And falls himself within a little space.
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The hideous Objects from their Sight they throw,
And in their Cries, sink to the Deep below.
Behold the Sea-green Waves with Blood are dy'd,
And Purple Billows on the Surface ride;
See how the Porpoise Monster is afraid,
Looks pale with Horror, dares not show his Head,
But hides himself in the Seas ouzy Bed.
Tritons in vain attempt to banish Fear,
But fly with hast unusual, here and there,
Thro' all the Deep, Astonishment they spread,
And more the Fire, than Neptune's Anger dread.
And Purple Billows on the Surface ride;
See how the Porpoise Monster is afraid,
Looks pale with Horror, dares not show his Head,
But hides himself in the Seas ouzy Bed.
Tritons in vain attempt to banish Fear,
But fly with hast unusual, here and there,
Thro' all the Deep, Astonishment they spread,
And more the Fire, than Neptune's Anger dread.
See how the Gen'ral Toils and Foams to meet
The Gallick Heroe, 'midst his pompous Fleet;
How his Eyes sparkle, how his Eye-Balls roul,
How wife his Conduct, and how great his Soul
Swoln big with Rage, with Albion's Glory fir'd,
To ev'ry Soldier he new Life inspir'd.
Each did his Fellow with stern Wrath inflame,
And swelling Pride, made ev'ry Sailor claim
The spreading Lawrels of their Gen'ral's Fame.
Clapping and Raving with tumultuous Sound,
The very Seas did to the Noise rebound;
Disdaining Fear, tho' Death their Huzza's met,
They spurn'd the Grisly Tyrant from their Feet.
The Gallick Heroe, 'midst his pompous Fleet;
How his Eyes sparkle, how his Eye-Balls roul,
How wife his Conduct, and how great his Soul
Swoln big with Rage, with Albion's Glory fir'd,
To ev'ry Soldier he new Life inspir'd.
Each did his Fellow with stern Wrath inflame,
And swelling Pride, made ev'ry Sailor claim
The spreading Lawrels of their Gen'ral's Fame.
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The very Seas did to the Noise rebound;
Disdaining Fear, tho' Death their Huzza's met,
They spurn'd the Grisly Tyrant from their Feet.
Now Pale, then Black, and Bloody as they lay,
Pursuit of Conquest banish'd Fear away,
And ev'ry Soldier Blest the Glorious Day.
No base Contention rose, but noble Strife,
To see, who shou'd—
Most Honour gain, not who shou'd save his Life.
Pursuit of Conquest banish'd Fear away,
And ev'ry Soldier Blest the Glorious Day.
No base Contention rose, but noble Strife,
To see, who shou'd—
Most Honour gain, not who shou'd save his Life.
Thoulouse, the Pride of Gallia's Fleet, in vain
On mighty Rook, pour'd all his fiery Train:
Whose hideous Clamours rent the very Skies
With Terror, nought but Briton's durst despise.
Like some fell Monstrous Whale, cast on the Shore,
That scares the Neighb'ring Cattel with his Roar,
So France spoke from the Cannons murd'ring Breath,
Doleful Presages of approaching Death.
On mighty Rook, pour'd all his fiery Train:
Whose hideous Clamours rent the very Skies
With Terror, nought but Briton's durst despise.
Like some fell Monstrous Whale, cast on the Shore,
That scares the Neighb'ring Cattel with his Roar,
So France spoke from the Cannons murd'ring Breath,
Doleful Presages of approaching Death.
Whole Sholes of Gallies to their Admiral come,
Which from Great Rook receive a speedy Doom:
With slavish Dread they cross the Eddies Row,
But e'er their Work is finish'd, sink below,
With hideous Shrieks and Cries of Gallick Woe.
Down as they Tumble, fresh Men raise their Heads,
Then sink beneath, into their liquid Beds.
Which from Great Rook receive a speedy Doom:
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But e'er their Work is finish'd, sink below,
With hideous Shrieks and Cries of Gallick Woe.
Down as they Tumble, fresh Men raise their Heads,
Then sink beneath, into their liquid Beds.
Rook, like Great Neptune in his God-like Pride,
When on a sporting Dolphin pleas'd to Ride;
Mounted on tossing Billows in a Storm
Round him, as Guards, a Thousand Tritons swarm.
Such is his Glory, and as firm he stands
'Gainst Gallia's Navy, and her Batt'ring Rams;
While Jennings, like a Noble Second, came
To Aid his Gen'ral's Battel, and proclaim
How like an English-man he courted Fame:
His Heart was Oak, free from the Thoughts of Fear,
While Death attacks him both in Van and Rear,
And throws Destruction round him ev'ry where.
When on a sporting Dolphin pleas'd to Ride;
Mounted on tossing Billows in a Storm
Round him, as Guards, a Thousand Tritons swarm.
Such is his Glory, and as firm he stands
'Gainst Gallia's Navy, and her Batt'ring Rams;
While Jennings, like a Noble Second, came
To Aid his Gen'ral's Battel, and proclaim
How like an English-man he courted Fame:
His Heart was Oak, free from the Thoughts of Fear,
While Death attacks him both in Van and Rear,
And throws Destruction round him ev'ry where.
Now Tholouse does afresh his Fury try,
And Bullets flaming from the Furnace fly,
They Burn, they Break, they Tear, and they Destroy.
Here gushing Blood the crowded Decks wash down,
While gorging in the Purple Stream they Drown:
Or welt'ring in their Gore, their Spirits spend
In helpless Cries, before the Battel end.
And Bullets flaming from the Furnace fly,
They Burn, they Break, they Tear, and they Destroy.
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While gorging in the Purple Stream they Drown:
Or welt'ring in their Gore, their Spirits spend
In helpless Cries, before the Battel end.
For such the Fury of these Captains were,
Each brave Commander did his Danger share,
And ev'ry Soldier felt the shocking War.
Like as with equal Rage and equal Might,
Two adverse Winds contend, together Fight;
Cloud against Cloud, and Wave 'gainst Wave, they dash,
And Sea and Air, with strong Convulsions clash.
Then on some Rock with furious Shocks, they rush,
And whatsoe'er opposes them, they crush.
Each brave Commander did his Danger share,
And ev'ry Soldier felt the shocking War.
Like as with equal Rage and equal Might,
Two adverse Winds contend, together Fight;
Cloud against Cloud, and Wave 'gainst Wave, they dash,
And Sea and Air, with strong Convulsions clash.
Then on some Rock with furious Shocks, they rush,
And whatsoe'er opposes them, they crush.
So met these Royal Navies on the Main,
While streaming Fires spread o'er the Watry Plain.
Like some dire Comet, whose fierce Flames foretel,
Where bloody Death, or Pestilence will dwell.
While streaming Fires spread o'er the Watry Plain.
Like some dire Comet, whose fierce Flames foretel,
Where bloody Death, or Pestilence will dwell.
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As a Wild Bull his Rival's wont to meet,
So daring Shovel Storms the Gallick Fleet;
His Eyes speak Fire, the Language of his Guns,
That with the Force of these, their Courage stuns:
Like some fierce Tyger, who displays his Head
'Midst Herds of Deer, who've their Pursuer fled.
So daring Shovel Storms the Gallick Fleet;
His Eyes speak Fire, the Language of his Guns,
That with the Force of these, their Courage stuns:
Like some fierce Tyger, who displays his Head
'Midst Herds of Deer, who've their Pursuer fled.
Some Cyclops sure, at Vulcan's Anvil, Struck
This Dauntless Heroe out of Fire and Smoke.
This Dauntless Heroe out of Fire and Smoke.
Now Leake, and Bing, and Dilks, with Fire bear down,
In Gallia's Ruin, they involve their own:
Their Courage prove, where the most Danger grows,
And Satisfaction in their slaughter'd Foes:
Pale Gastly Death all their Decrees obey,
Fiercer than Hurricanes, or a Mad Sea,
That fights the Wind in vain, for Victory.
In Gallia's Ruin, they involve their own:
Their Courage prove, where the most Danger grows,
And Satisfaction in their slaughter'd Foes:
Pale Gastly Death all their Decrees obey,
Fiercer than Hurricanes, or a Mad Sea,
That fights the Wind in vain, for Victory.
Or just like Phaeton they wou'd aspire
With Gallia's Fleet, to set the World on Fire:
Vast Fleaks of Light'ning from their Cannon fly,
While Death pursues the vanquish'd Enemy;
And Albion's fierce Artillery proclaim,
Great ANNA's Glory and Immortal Fame,
Like Jove's dread Voice, in Thunder and in Flame.
With Gallia's Fleet, to set the World on Fire:
Vast Fleaks of Light'ning from their Cannon fly,
While Death pursues the vanquish'd Enemy;
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Great ANNA's Glory and Immortal Fame,
Like Jove's dread Voice, in Thunder and in Flame.
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