 | Poems, and a tragedy |  |
TO THE MEMORY OF COM. GEO. JOHNSTONE.
Though Life's tempestuous sea to thee 'twas given
Thy course to steer, yet still preserved by Heaven;
As childhood closed thy ceaseless toils began,
And toils and dangers ripen'd thee to man:
Thy country's cause thy ardent youth inspir'd,
Thy ripen'd years thy country's dangers fir'd;
All life to trace the councils of the foe,
All zealous life to ward the lifted blow .
Thy course to steer, yet still preserved by Heaven;
As childhood closed thy ceaseless toils began,
And toils and dangers ripen'd thee to man:
Thy country's cause thy ardent youth inspir'd,
Thy ripen'd years thy country's dangers fir'd;
All life to trace the councils of the foe,
All zealous life to ward the lifted blow .
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When dubious Peace, in gilded clouds array'd,
Fair o'er Britannia threw her painted shade,
Thy active mind illiberal ease disdain'd;
Forth burst the Senator unaw'd, unstain'd!
By private aim unwarpt as generous youth,
Thy ear still listening to the voice of Truth,
That sacred Power thy bursting warmth controul'd,
And bade thee at her side be only bold.
Nor toils of State alone thy cares employ'd;
The Muses in thy sunshine glow'd and joy'd.
Fair o'er Britannia threw her painted shade,
Thy active mind illiberal ease disdain'd;
Forth burst the Senator unaw'd, unstain'd!
By private aim unwarpt as generous youth,
Thy ear still listening to the voice of Truth,
That sacred Power thy bursting warmth controul'd,
And bade thee at her side be only bold.
Nor toils of State alone thy cares employ'd;
The Muses in thy sunshine glow'd and joy'd.
When filial strife unsheath'd the ruthless brand,
And Discord rioted on Salem's strand,
Thy hands to Salem's strand the olive bore ,
Alas, denied!—and liberal peace no more
Smiled on the crest of hope; thy country's weal
Again to action waked thy patriot zeal;
Old Tagus saw the British red cross stream
O'er Gallia's lillies and the tawny gleam
Of proud Iberia's castles: Belgia mourn'd
Her broken faith, and Afric's shores return'd
Her Lisboan groans for British friendship spurn'd.
And Discord rioted on Salem's strand,
Thy hands to Salem's strand the olive bore ,
Alas, denied!—and liberal peace no more
Smiled on the crest of hope; thy country's weal
Again to action waked thy patriot zeal;
Old Tagus saw the British red cross stream
O'er Gallia's lillies and the tawny gleam
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Her broken faith, and Afric's shores return'd
Her Lisboan groans for British friendship spurn'd.
Again Life's tempest beaten ocean roar'd,
And round thy head the mists of Faction pour'd;
Dark lower'd the storm; but Heaven's own light rose mild,
And rescued Honour on thy death-bed smiled ,
Soft shedding peaceful joy; the blissful sign,
That Heaven's forgiveness and its balm were thine.
And round thy head the mists of Faction pour'd;
Dark lower'd the storm; but Heaven's own light rose mild,
And rescued Honour on thy death-bed smiled ,
Soft shedding peaceful joy; the blissful sign,
That Heaven's forgiveness and its balm were thine.
All hail, sooth'd shade! The Muse that own'd thy care
Hails thee, and blesses Heaven that heard her prayer.
For ever green the laurel o'er thy tomb
Shall flourish, ever white its flowery bloom;
And Gratitude, oh Johnstone, round thy shrine,
And Friendship, heave the sigh, and thy fair wreath entwine.
Hails thee, and blesses Heaven that heard her prayer.
For ever green the laurel o'er thy tomb
Shall flourish, ever white its flowery bloom;
And Gratitude, oh Johnstone, round thy shrine,
And Friendship, heave the sigh, and thy fair wreath entwine.
The Commodore was remarkably happy in procuring intelligence. He sent the first notice of the Spanish Declaration of War in 1761 to Admiral Rodney, then commanding in the West Indies, in consequence of which the Havannah was taken. He sent also the first account of the sailing and destination for the West Indies of the Grand Spanish Fleet in 1760 to Admiral Rodney, then also Commander on that station. Both messages were carried from Lisbon by the same person, Capt. M'Laurin. In consequence of this intelligence, many of the Spanish transports were taken, and the operations of the combined force of France and Spain in the West Indies retarded for that season.
| Poems, and a tragedy | |