Chapter 23
Each brave commander, in tears did shake his head, Their grief was no relief, when Nelson he was dead; It was by a fatal musket ball, Which caus'd our hero for to fall. He cried, Fight on, God bless you all, My brave British tars.
Huzza my valiant seamen, huzza, we've gain'd the day, But lost a brave Commander, bleeding on that day, With joy we've gain'd the victory, Before his death he did plainly see I die in peace, bless God, said he, The victory is won.
I hope this glorious victory will bring a speedy peace, That all trade in England may flourish and increase, And our ships from port to port go free, As before, let us with them agree, May this turn the heart of our enemy. Huzza, my brave boys.
V
NELSON AND COLLINGWOOD
Come all you gallant heroes, and listen unto me, While I relate a battle was lately fought at sea. So fierce and hot on every side, as plainly it appears, There has not been such a battle fought, no not for many years.
Brave Nelson and brave Collingwood, off Cadiz harbour lay, Watching the French and Spaniards, to show them English play, The nineteenth of October from the Bay they set sail, Brave Nelson got intelligence, and soon was at their tail.
It was on the twenty-first my boys, we had them clear in sight, And on that very day, at noon, began the bloody fight. Our fleet forming two columns, then he broke the enemy's line, To spare the use of signals, was Nelson's pure design.
For now the voice of thunder is heard on every side, The briny waves like crimson, with human gore were dy'd; The French and Spanish heroes their courage well did show, But our brave British sailors soon brought their colours low.
Four hours and ten minutes, this battle it did hold, And on the briny ocean, men never fought more bold, But, on the point of victory brave Nelson, he was slain, And, on the minds of Britons, his death will long remain.
Nineteen sail of the enemy are taken and destroyed, You see the rage of Britons, our foes cannot avoid: And ages yet unborn will have this story for to tell, The twenty-first of October, our gallant Nelson fell.
I hope the wives and children will quickly find relief, For the loss of those brave heroes, their hearts are filled with grief, And may our warlike officers aspire to such a fame, And revenge the death of Nelson, with his undying name.
VI
GIVE IT TO HIM, CHARLEY
Arouse, you British sons, arouse! And all who stand to Freedom's cause, While sing of the impending wars, And England's bluff old Charley. I'll tell how British seamen brave, Of Russian foes will clear the wave, Old England's credit for to save, Led on by gallant Charley.
Our gallant tars led by Napier, May bid defiance to the Bear, While hearty shouts will rend the air, With, Mind, and give it to him, Charley.
Our jolly tars will have to tell, How they the Russian bears did quell, And each honest heart with pride will dwell, For our jackets blue, and Charley. For they'll never leave a blot or stain, While our British flag flies at the main, But their foes they'll thrash again and again, While led on by gallant Charley. Our gallant tars, etc.
Tyrant Nicky, you may fume and boast, And with threats disturb each peaceful coast, But you reckoned have without your host, For you're no good to our tars and Charley. From our wooden walls warm pills will fly, Your boasted power for to try, While our seamen with loud shouts will cry, Let us give it to him, Charley. Our gallant tars, etc.
For your cowardly tricks at Sinope Bay, Most dearly we will make you pay, For our tars will show you bonny play, While commanded by brave Charley. For tho' brave Nelson, he is dead, Our tars will be to victory led. By one brave heart we have instead, And that brave heart is Charley's. Our gallant tars, etc.
England and France they will pull down The Eagle and Imperial Crown, And his Bear-like growls we soon will drown, With, Let us give it him, Charley. For while England and France go hand in hand They conquer must by sea and land, For no Russian foe can e'er withstand, So brave a man as Charley. Our gallant tars, etc.
Despotic Nick, you've been too fast, To get Turkey within your grasp, But a Tartar you have caught at last, In the shape of our tars and Charley. Then here's success with three times three, To all true hearts by land or sea, And this the watchword it shall be, Mind, and give it to them, Charley.
Our gallant tars led by Napier, May bid defiance to the Bear. While hearty shouts will rend the air, With, Mind, and give it to him, Charley.
VII
THE _ARETHUSA_
Come all ye jolly sailors bold, Whose hearts are cast in honour's mould, While England's glory I unfold, Huzza to the _Arethusa_. She is a frigate tight and brave, As ever stemmed the dashing wave; Her men are staunch To their fav'rite launch, And when the foe shall meet our fire, Sooner than strike we'll all expire, On board of the _Arethusa_.
'Twas with the spring-fleet she went out, The English Channel to cruise about, When four French sail, in show so stout, Bore down on the _Arethusa_. The fam'd _Belle Poule_ straight ahead did lie, The _Arethusa_ seem'd to fly, Not a sheet, or a tack, Or a brace did she slack, Tho' the Frenchman laugh'd, and thought it stuff, But they knew not the handful of men, so tough, On board of the _Arethusa_.
On deck five hundred men did dance, The stoutest they could find in France, We, with two hundred, did advance On board of the _Arethusa_. Our captain hail'd the Frenchman, ho! The Frenchman then cried out, hallo! "Bear down, d'ye see To our Admiral's lee." "No, no," said the Frenchman, "that can't be"; "Then I must lug you along with me," Says the saucy _Arethusa_.
The fight was off the Frenchman's land, We forc'd them back upon their strand; For we fought till not a stick would stand Of the gallant _Arethusa_. And now we've driven the foe ashore, Never to fight with Britons more, Let each fill a glass To his favourite lass! A health to our captain, and officers true, And all that belong to the jovial crew, On board of the _Arethusa_.
VIII
COPENHAGEN
Of Nelson and the North, Sing the day, When, their haughty powers to vex, He engaged the Danish decks; And with twenty floating wrecks Crowned the fray.
All bright, in April's sun, Shone the day, When a British fleet came down Through the island of the Crown, And by Copenhagen town Took their stay.
In arms the Danish shore Proudly shone; By each gun the lighted brand In a bold determined hand, And the Prince of all the land Led them on.
For Denmark here had drawn All her might; From her battleships so vast She had hewn away the mast, And at anchor, to the last Bade them fight.
Another noble fleet Of their line Rode out; but these were nought To the batteries which they brought, Like Leviathans afloat In the brine.
It was ten of Thursday morn By the chime; As they drifted on their path There was silence deep as death, And the noblest held his breath For a time--
Ere a first and fatal round Shook the flood. Every Dane looked out that day. Like the red wolf on his prey, And he swore his flag to sway O'er our blood.
Not such a mind possessed England's tar; 'Twas the love of noble game Set his oaken heart on flame, For to him 'twas all the same, Sport and war.
All hands and eyes on watch As they keep; By their motion light as wings, By each step that haughty springs, You might know them for the kings Of the deep.
'Twas the _Edgar_ first that smote Denmark's line As her flag the foremost soared, Murray stamped his foot on board, And an hundred cannons roared At the sign.
Three cheers of all the fleet Sung Huzza! Then from centre, rear, and van, Every captain, every man, With a lion's heart began To the fray.
Oh, dark grew soon the heavens-- For each gun, From its adamantine lips, Spread a death-shade round the ships, Like a hurricane eclipse Of the sun.
Three hours the raging fire Did not slack; But the fourth, their signals drear Of distress and wreck appear, And the Dane a feeble cheer Sent us back.
The voice decayed; their shots Slowly boom. They ceased--and all is wail, As they strike the shattered sail, Or in conflagration pale Light the gloom.
Oh, death--it was a sight Filled our eyes! But we rescued many a crew From the waves of scarlet hue, Ere the cross of England flew O'er her prize.
Why ceased not here the strife, Oh, ye brave? Why bleeds old England's band By the fire of Danish land, That smites the very hand Stretched to save?
But the Britons sent to warn Denmark's town: Proud foes, let vengeance sleep! If another chain-shot sweep-- All your navy in the deep Shall go down.
Then, peace instead of death Let us bring! If you'll yield your conquered fleet, With the crews, at England's feet, And make submission meet To our King.
The Dane returned, a truce Glad to bring: He would yield his conquered fleet, With the crews, at England's feet, And make submission meet To our King.
Then death withdrew his pall From the day; And the sun looked smiling bright On a wide and woeful sight Where the fires of funeral light Died away.
Yet, all amidst her wrecks And her gore, Proud Denmark blest our chief That he gave her wounds relief, And the sounds of joy and grief Filled her shore.
All round, outlandish cries Loudly broke; But a nobler note was rung When the British, old and young, To their bands of music sung "Hearts of Oak."
Cheer! cheer! from park and tower, London town! When the King shall ride in state From St. James's royal gate, And to all his peers relate Our renown.
The bells shall ring! the day Shall not close, But a glaze of cities bright Shall illuminate the night, And the wine-cup shine in light As it flows.
Yes--yet amid the joy And uproar, Let us think of them that sleep Full many a fathom deep All beside thy rocky steep, Elsinore!
Brave hearts, to Britain's weal Once so true! Though death has quenched your flame, Yet immortal be your name! For ye died the death of fame With Riou.
Soft sigh the winds of Heaven O'er your grave! While the billow mournful rolls And the mermaid's song condoles, Singing--glory to the souls Of the brave.
IX
THE DEATH OF NELSON
O'er Nelson's tomb, with silent grief oppressed, Britannia mourns her hero now at rest; But those bright laurels will not fade with years, Whose leaves are watered by a nation's tears.
'Twas in Trafalgar's bay We saw the Frenchmen lay, Each heart was bounding then, We scorn'd the foreign yoke, For our ships were British oak, And hearts of oak our men! Our Nelson mark'd them on the wave, Three cheers our gallant seamen gave, Nor thought of home and beauty. Along the line this signal ran, England expects that ev'ry man This day will do his duty.
And now the cannons roar Along th' affrighted shore, Our Nelson led the way, His ship the _Victory_ nam'd! Long be that _Victory_ fam'd, For vict'ry crown'd the day! But dearly was that conquest bought, Too well the gallant hero fought,
For England, home, and beauty. He cried as 'midst the fire he ran, "England shall find that ev'ry man, This day will do his duty!"
At last the fatal wound, Which spread dismay around, The hero's breast received; "Heaven fights upon our side! The day's our own!" he cried; "Now long enough I've lived! In honour's cause my life was passed, In honour's cause I fall at last, For England, home, and beauty." Thus ending life as he began, England confessed that every man That day had done his duty.
APPENDIX
SOME INCIDENTS OF NELSON'S LIFE
(_Chronologically arranged_)
1758. On 29th September he was born.
1767. On 26th December his mother died.
1771. On 1st January a Midshipman aboard the _Raisonable_.
1771. On 22nd May sent a voyage in merchant ship to West Indies, possibly as cabin-boy.
1772. On 19th July was Midshipman on _Triumph_.
1773. On 7th May was Midshipman on _Carcass_.
1773. On 15th October was Midshipman on _Triumph_.
1773. On 27th October was Midshipman on _Seahorse_.
1774. On 5th April becomes Able Seaman on _Seahorse_.
1775. On 31st October is again Midshipman on _Seahorse_.
1776. On 15th March becomes Midshipman on _Dolphin_.
1776. On 24th September is paid off from _Dolphin_.
1776. On 26th September becomes Acting-Lieutenant on _Worcester_.
1777. On 9th April passed examination.
1777. On 10th April is Lieutenant of _Lowestoft_.
1778. On 2nd July changes to Lieutenant of _Bristol_.
1778. On 8th December is appointed Commander of _Badger_.
1779. On 10th June is made Captain of _Hinchinbroke_.
1780. In January joins expedition to San Juan and Grenada, Nicaragua.
1780. On 2nd May he is made Captain of the _Janus_.
1780. On 1st September is invalided from _Janus_.
1780. On 4th September sailed in the _Lion_ for home
1780. On 24th November arrived at Spithead and went to Bath.
1781. On 23rd August he became Captain of _Albemarle_.
1782. On 17th April sailed in _Albemarle_ to North America.
1783. On 3rd July paid off from _Albemarle_.
1783. On 23rd October visited France.
1784. On 17th January back in England.
1784. On 18th March Captain of _Boreas_.
1784. On 15th May at Leeward Islands in _Boreas_.
1787. On 12th March married Widow Nesbit.
1787. On 4th July arrived Spithead in _Boreas_.
1787. On 30th November paid off, put on half pay, and resided mainly at Burnham Thorpe while on shore.
1793. On 26th January joined _Agamemnon_ as Captain.
1793. On 6th June sailed for the Mediterranean.
1793. On 13th July blockaded Toulon.
1793. On 24th August Toulon is occupied and _Agamemnon_ is ordered to Naples. A very full year's work.
1794. On 4th April, Siege of Bastia begun.
1794. On 22nd May, Bastia surrendered:
1794. On 19th June, Siege of Calvi.
1794. On 10th July wounded in the right eye.
1794. On 10th August, Calvi surrendered.
1795. On 13th March Hotham's first action.
1795. On 13th July Hotham's second action.
1795. On 15th July sent with a squadron to co-operate with the Austrians on the coast of Genoa.
1795. On 29th November Sir John Jervis took command of fleet.
1796. On 4th April he is ordered to hoist a distinguishing pennant.
1796. On 4th June shifted his broad pennant to the _Captain_.
1796. On 11th August appointed Commodore of the first class.
1796. On 10th December joined the _Minerva_.
1796. On 20th December captured the Spanish frigate _La Sabina_.
1797. On 13th February rejoined the _Captain_.
1797. On 14th December joined the _Irresistible_ at the BATTLE OF ST. VINCENT.
1797. On 20th December is Rear-Admiral of the Blue.
1797. On 17th March was created Knight of the Bath.
1797. On 24th March joined the _Captain_ again.
1797. On 1st April news of his promotion.
1797. On 24th May hoisted his flag on _Theseus_.
1797. On 24th July his right arm badly wounded while leading attack on Santa Cruz, which was repulsed. Arm amputated.
1797. On 20th August joins _Seahorse_, bound for England.
1797. On 1st September arrived at Spithead, lowers his flag, and proceeds to Bath to recoup his health.
1797. On 27th September has the Order of the Bath conferred on him.
1798. On 29th March joined the _Vanguard_.
1798. On 30th April arrived off Cadiz.
1798. On 7th June Troubridge reinforces Nelson's squadron of observation by adding ten sail of the line.
1798. On 17th June is off Naples in search of the French fleet.
1798. On 18th June, arrives off Alexandria.
1798. August 1st and 2nd, BATTLE OF THE NILE.
1798. On 22nd September arrives at Naples and is received with great rejoicing. On the 29th Sir William and Lady Hamilton give a grand fête in honour of him. The great battle establishes his fame as the greatest Admiral in the world.
1798. On 6th November he is created Baron Nelson of the Nile and Burnham Thorpe.
1798. On 23rd December he sailed for Palermo with the King of Naples and his family aboard.
1798. On 26th December arrives at Palermo and is much gratified by his reception as a popular hero.
1799. On 5th April he changed his flag from blue to red.
1799. On 8th June joins the _Foudroyant_.
1799. On 24th June arrives off Naples and cancels the agreement of capitulation of the forts.
1799. On 29th June has the aged Admiral Prince Carraciolo hung at the _Minerva's_ fore yardarm at the instigation of Lady Hamilton and the royal profligates of Naples. This act remains a blot on his name.
1799. July 13th to 19th disobeyed Admiral Keith's orders to proceed to Minorca.
1799. On 29th July becomes Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean.
1799. On 8th August returns again to Palermo.
1799. On 13th August he is created Duke of Bronte.
1799. On 5th October sails for Port Mahon, Minorca.
1799. On 22nd October again returns to Palermo.
1800. On 6th January is officially notified that Lord Keith is reappointed to command in Mediterranean, which gives him offence.
1800. On 18th February he captures _Le Généreux_.
1800. On 30th March also captures _Le Guillaume Tell_.
1800. On 13th July hauls his flag down at Leghorn and proceeds home, visiting Trieste, Vienna, Dresden, and Hamburg. Is received everywhere as a monarch.
1800. On 6th November he arrives at Yarmouth.
1801. On 1st January becomes Vice-Admiral of the Blue.
1801. On 13th January he is separated from his wife.
1801. On 17th January hoists his flag on the _San Josef_.
1801. On 29th January Lady Hamilton gives birth to his daughter Horatia.
1801. On 12th February joins the _St. George_.
1801. On 12th March sails from Yarmouth Roads for the Sound.
1801. On 29th March joins the _Elephant_.
1801. On 2nd April the BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN. He again rejoins the _St. George_.
1801. On 5th May appointed Commander-in-Chief in the Baltic.
1801. On 22nd May is created Viscount Nelson of the Nile and Burnham Thorpe.
1801. On 19th June resigns command and sails in the brig _Kite_ for Yarmouth, where he arrives on July 1st.
1801. On 2nd July is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the squadron defending the South-East Coast.
1801. On 16th August attacked Boulogne flotilla unsuccessfully.
1802. On 10th April hauled his flag down and took up his residence at Merton.
1802. On 26th April his father died.
1803. On 6th April his friend, Sir William Hamilton, died in Emma's arms.
1803. 16th May, Commander-in-Chief again in the Mediterranean.
1803. On 20th May sailed from Spithead in _Victory_.
1803. On 21st May his flag shifted to the _Amphion_.
1803. On 8th July arrives off Toulon.
1803. On 30th July rejoins the _Victory_ and keeps up a steady blockade of Toulon until April 1805, and is troubled in body and soul.
1804. On 23rd April Vice-Admiral of WHITE SQUADRON.
1804. On 18th August death of his aversion, the immortal Admiral La Touche-Treville.
1805. On 17th January the French fleet sailed from Toulon, and falling in with stormy weather, their ships were disabled and put back for repairs.
1805. On 8th February Nelson arrives off Alexandria in search of French.
1805. On 9th March is off Toulon again, and
1805. On 1st April is in Pula Roads.
1805. On 4th April gets news that the Frenchmen have sailed again from Toulon, on the 30th April.
1805. On 4th May came to anchor at Tetuan.
1805. On 9th May came to anchor in Lagos Bay.
1805. On 11th May sailed for the West Indies.
1805. On 4th June arrived at Barbadoes.
1805. On 7th June arrived at Trinidad.
1805. On 12th June arrived off Antigua.
1805. On 13th June sails for Europe in search of the elusive French fleet.
1805. On 18th July joins Collingwood off Cadiz.
1805. On 15th August joins Cornwallis off Brest.
1805. On 18th August arrived at Spithead; joins Lady Hamilton and his little girl Horatia at Merton.
1805. On 13th September having heard from Captain Blackwood, who visited him at Merton, that the French fleet were at Cadiz, he prepares to leave Merton.
1805. On 15th September joins the _Victory_ and sails from Spithead.
1805. On 25th September joins British fleet off Cadiz.
1805. On 21st October, BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR and death of Nelson.
1806. On 9th January buried in St. Paul's Cathedral.
INDEX
Aboukir Bay, battle of (_see_ Nile, battle of the) Addington, Charles, 104 Alexander of Russia, 310, 321, 322 _Arethusa_, The (poem), 352 Armada, Spanish, 39 _et seq._, 43, 59 Asquith, H.H., 297, 303 Astley, Sir Jacob, 131, 134
Balfour, A.J., 303 Ball, Captain, 153, 154, 158, 160 Barham, Lord, 215 Bathurst, Lord, 295 Beatty, Admiral, 64 Bendero, Don Pedro, 47 Beresford, Lord Charles, 52 Bernsdorf, Count, 320 Berry, Captain. 66 Bertheur, General, 308 Blackett, Mr., 262 Blackwood, Captain, 210, 232, 235, 236, 237 Blake, Admiral, 134 Bonaparte, Caroline, 292 Bonaparte, Elisa, 292 Bonaparte, Jerome, 292 Bonaparte, Joseph, 144, 169, 292 Bonaparte, Louis, 292 Bonaparte, Napoleon (_see_ Napoleon) Bonaparte, Pauline, 293 Boulogne, battle of (sea song), 343 Brereton, General, 198, 199, 203, 207 Burleigh, Cecil, Lord (_see_ Cecil) Byng, Admiral Sir John, 161, 267
Cadiz, Drake's attacks on, 32, 39, 58 Cadogan, Mrs., 210 Calais, Armada at, 41 Calder, Sir Robert, 206, 208, 222 _et seq._, 267, 268 Calvi, siege of, 64 Campbell, Sir John, 108 Campbell-Bannerman, Sir Henry, 301 Canning, 180 Capua, siege of, 139 Carlile, Christopher, 48, 51, 54 Carlscrona, Hyde Parker's departure to, 95 Carlyle, Thomas, 69, 78 Caroline (_see_ Naples, Queen of) Carraciolli, Prince, 118 _et seq._, 161, 279 Carribean Sea, Drake visits, 54 Carthagena, Drake's attacks on, 32, 54 Castlereagh, Lord, 180, 211, 295, 301, 303, 321 Caulaincourt, 310 Cecil, Lord, of Burleigh, 27, 32, 44, 58 Champernowne, Sir Arthur, 32 Championnet, General, 147 Cobham, Thomas, 32 Collingwood, Admiral Lord, 31, 63, 64, 83, 84, 134, 193, 200, 203, 204, 210, 229, 235, 237, 238, 243, 245 _et seq._, 257 _et seq._ Columbus, Christopher, 51, 53 Columbus, Diego, 51 Copenhagen, battle of, 89, 91 Copenhagen, battle of (sea-song), 340 Copenhagen (poem), 354 Corday, Charlotte, 141 Corunna, Drake's attack on, 39 Croker, J.W., 115 Cromwell, Oliver, 130, 133, 134, 237