‘How chear yee, my lads? is not this jolly sport? See how Fortune invites you to fight on. Stand in with our prize to the next merry port; Tow her in for the honour of Brittan. Now fling up the bowl; bring an anchor of Nantz; Let the doctor thank God for His mercies; Then we’ll drink the Queen’s health to our captives of France With a French man-of-war at our arses.’ _THE LOSS OF THE EDGAR_ The dismal lamentation of the widows and fatherless children for the loss of their husbands and relations, that was blown up on board the Edgar man-of-war, October, 15, 1711. To the Tune of _Aim not too high_. 1ST WOMAN. Hark! hark! alas! what fatal news is come! It strikes a terror great thro’ Christendom. 2ND WOMAN. What is it, neighbour? Pray, to me unfold. 1ST WOMAN. The sadest news that ever mortal told. 2ND WOMAN. Hold me not in suspence, good neighbour, pray, But tell me quickly what you have to say: I hope our ship and all in her is well; I long to hear you. Pray, come quickly tell. 1ST WOMAN. Here is a letter--O prepare your ears!-- From Gosport Hospital. Let floods of tears Flow from your eyes: the gallant Edgar’s gone. Ah! neighbour, neighbour, well may we make moan. Your husband dear and mine, and many more, Are blown up in the air, near thirty score, By fatal chance of powder; by one blast Our tender husbands now have breath’d their last. Here comes a messenger can tell the rest; I cannot speak, I am so much opprest. Come, gentle messenger, relate their woe, And tell, in brief, the truth of all you saw. MESSENGER. I was at Spithead that time, and saw the sight. I was amaz’d; my soul it did affright: Five hundred persons blown up in the air; Their shrieks and cries no mortal cou’d declare. Some short-allowance mony was to be paid That fatal day, for which on board they stay’d. They merry were, and little did they dread That the next moment they should all be dead. Removing gun-powder some hours they was; That powder wrough[t] their dismal woes, alas! Thro’ some neglect fire to th’ powder got, And all these people kill’d upon the spot. Blown in an instant up, at once indeed; That dreadful blow makes hearts of stone to bleed. Like roaring thunder gave a dreadful crack; Both ship and people quickly went to wrack. Legs, arms, heads, hands, feet, hips, bones, back and thighs By fire and powder flew up to the skies. Shatter’d at once in shivers up they flew, And in an instant fled from mortal view. Their sudden shrieks, gone just before they went, Did eccho shrilly, and tho’ all was bent To help them in distress, yet it was vain, Their ship in thousand pieces rent in twain. 2ND WOMAN.