But Linden saw another sight, When the drum beat, at dead of night, By torch and trumpet fast arrayed To join the dreadful revelry. Then shook the hills with thunder riven; But redder yet that light shall glow 'Tis morn; but scarce yon level sun Shout in their sulphurous canopy. And charge with all thy chivalry! Few, few shall part, where many meet! Thomas Campbell [1777-1844] BATTLE OF THE BALTIC [APRIL 2, 1801] OF Nelson and the North, Sing the glorious day's renown, All the might of Denmark's crown, Battle of the Baltic And her arms along the deep proudly shone; By each gun the lighted brand, In a bold determined hand, And the Prince of all the land Led them on. Like leviathans afloat, Lay their bulwarks on the brine; It was ten of April morn by the chime: There was silence deep as death; But the might of England flushed And her van the fleeter rushed O'er the deadly space between. 2375 "Hearts of oak!" our captain cried; when each gun From its adamantine lips Spread a death-shade round the ships, Like the hurricane eclipse Of the sun. Again! again! again! And the havoc did not slack, Till a feeble cheer the Dane To our cheering sent us back; Their shots along the deep slowly boom: Then ceased-and all is wail, As they strike the shattered sail; Or, in conflagration pale, Light the gloom. Outspoke the victor then, As he hailed them o'er the wave: "Ye are brothers! ye are men! And we conquer but to save: So peace instead of death let us bring. Then Denmark blessed our chief, As death withdrew his shades from the day; O'er a wide and woful sight, Where the fires of funeral light Died away. Now joy, Old England, raise! Whilst the wine-cup shines in light; And yet, amidst that joy and uproar, Let us think of them that sleep, Full many a fathom deep, By thy wild and stormy steep, Brave hearts! to Britain's pride Once so faithful and so true, On the deck of fame that died;→→ With the gallant good Riou: Soft sigh the winds of Heaven o'er their grave! While the billow mournful rolls, And the mermaid's song condoles, Singing glory to the souls. Of the brave! Thomas Campbell [1777-1844] The Fighting Téméraire 2377 THE FIGHTING TÉMÉRAIRE [OCTOBER 21, 1805] It was eight bells ringing, For the morning watch was done, And the gunner's lads were singing, Oh! to see the linstock lighting, Oh! to see the linstock lighting, It was noontide ringing, And the battle just begun, When the ship her way was winging, It was noontide ringing, When the ship her way was winging, There'll be many grim and gory, Téméraire ! Téméraire ! There'll be few to tell the story, Téméraire ! Téméraire ! There'll be many grim and gory, There'll be few to tell the story, But we'll all be one in glory With the Fighting Téméraire. There's a far bell ringing Now the sunset breezes shiver, Now the sunset breezes shiver, Henry Newbolt [1862 SKIPPER IRESON'S RIDE [1808] Of all the rides since the birth of time, Or one-eyed Calender's horse of brass, The strangest ride that ever was sped Old Floyd Ireson, for his hard heart, Tarred and feathered and carried in a cart By the women of Marblehead! Body of turkey, head of fowl, Wings a-droop like a rained-on fowl, |