Draw near, ye gallant seamen, while I the truth unfold,
 Of as gallant a naval victory as ever yet was told,
 The second day of April last, upon the Baltic Main,
 Parker, Nelson, and their brave tars, fresh laurels there did gain.
 With their thundering and roaring, rattling and roaring,
 Thundering and roaring bombs.
Gallant Nelson volunteered himself, with twelve sail form'd a line,
 And in the Road of Copenhagen he began his grand design;
 His tars with usual courage, their valour did display,
 And destroyed the Danish navy upon that glorious day.
 With their, etc.
With strong floating batteries in van and rear we find,
 The enemy in centre had six ships of the line;
 At ten that glorious morning, the fight begun, 'tis true,
 We Copenhagen set on fire, my boys, before the clock struck two.
 With their, etc.
When this armament we had destroyed, we anchor'd near the town,
 And with our bombs were fully bent to burn their city down;
 Revenge for poor Matilda's wrongs, our seamen swore they'd have,
 But they sent a flag of truce aboard, their city for to save.
 With their, etc.
For the loss of his eye and arm, bold Nelson does declare,
 The foes of his country, not an inch of them he'll spare;
 The Danes he's made to rue the day that they ever Paul did join,
 Eight ships he burnt, four he sunk, and took six of the line.
 With their, etc.
Now drink a health to gallant Nelson, the wonder of the world,
 Who, in defence of his country his thunder loud has hurled;
 And to his bold and valiant tars, who plough the raging sea,
And who never were afraid to face the daring enemy.
 With their thundering and roaring, rattling and roaring,
 Thundering and roaring bombs.

III

THE BATTLE OF BOULOGNE

On the second day of August, eighteen hundred and one,
 We sailed with Lord Nelson to the port of Boulogne,
 For to cut out their shipping, which was all in vain,
 For to our misfortune, they were all moored and chained.
Our boats being well mann'd, at eleven at night,
 For to cut out their shipping, except they would fight,
 But the grape from their batteries so smartly did play,
 Nine hundred brave seamen killed and wounded there lay.
We hoisted our colours, and so boldly them did spread,
 With a British flag flying at our royal mast head,
 For the honour of England, we will always maintain,
 While bold British seamen plough the watery main.
Exposed to the fire of the enemy she lay,
 While ninety bright pieces of cannon did play,
 Where many a brave seaman then lay in his gore,
 And the shot from their batteries so smartly did pour.
Our noble commander, with heart full of grief,
 Used every endeavour to afford us relief,
 No ship could assist us, as well you may know,
 In this wounded condition, we were tossed to and fro.
And you who relieve us, the Lord will you bless,
 For relieving poor sailors in time of distress,
 May the Lord put an end to all cruel wars,
 And send peace and contentment to all British tars.

IV

THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR

Arise, ye sons of Britain, in chorus join and sing,
 Great and joyful news is come unto our Royal King,
 An engagement we have had by sea,
 With France and Spain, our enemy,
 And we've gain'd a glorious victory,
 Again, my brave boys.
On the 21st of October, at the rising of the sun,
 We form'd the line for action, every man to his gun,
 Brave Nelson to his men did say,
 The Lord will prosper us this day,
 Give them a broadside, fire away,
 My true British boys.
Broadside after broadside our cannon balls did fly,
 The small shot, like hailstones, upon the deck did lie,
 Their masts and rigging we shot away,
 Besides some thousands on that day,
 Were killed and wounded in the fray,
 On both sides, brave boys.
The Lord reward brave Nelson, and protect his soul,
 Nineteen sail the combin'd fleets lost in the whole;
 Which made the French for mercy call;
 Nelson was slain by a musket ball.
 Mourn, Britons, mourn.
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 battle-ships 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