Great Britain -- History, Naval -- Poetry; Sea songs -- Great Britain
When British Seas and Honour were assail’d
By Belgian Rivals; when the Plague prevail’d
At home; by which when most Men’s Courage fail’d
He snatched some men from Death’s Commands, and Man’d
The Royal Charles, by Royal Charles Command;
* * * * *
Next year was Sixty-six, (that fatal Time
When Londons old Foundations burnt to Lime)
Rear Admiral of the White he then appear’d
And by his foes he made his Henry fear’d.
Three Etnas did at once beset Her round
Some of her men were Burnt, and some were Drown’d:
Yet then (as if he did both Elements scoff)
He fought his way, and brought her bravely off.
His Leg (but not his Courage) broke; and then
He sympathized with his maimed men.
Knighted, and Admiral made in sixty-seven,
With Fire Ships Two, and Fighting Ships Eleven,
T’America he steers, and did such Feats
Dull Europeans will believe us Cheats
If we but tell the Truth. As how he storm’d
Strong Martinico, wonders there perform’d;
Into their Harbour how he forced his way
When Thirty warlike French and Dutch there lay;
Burnt Nine, sunk More; the rest (to escape his hands)
Did sink themselves, to hide amongst the Sands.
Three Forts he there Attaqu’d and Fir’d. And then
To Syrenham and Chien wafts his Men:
Courage and Conduct, there no less he shew’d.
Whereby he those Two Countreys soon subdu’d.
In Seventy-two Vice Admiral of the Blew,
He like a Tyger ’mongst the Dutchmen flew,
Nine Dutch begirt his Charles. There (sad to tell)
Three or four hundred of his Brave Men fell.
He paid them off; and when no boot to stay
He nobly brought his tattred Hull away.
Lastly in Sev’nty-three, this present Year,
His long-try’d Courage lasting did appear
Vice Admiral of the Red. Though sick and weak,
When scarcely could he go, or stand, or speak,
Yet could he fight, direct, encourage, see
All well perform’d. Meanwhile poor Gallant he
Sate like a Mark for ev’ry shot, in Fight.
We’l not reflect on any Man; nor tell
Who did amiss; only that He did well.
And having done his All, he then gave o’re
He made to Port, dropt Anchor, came ashore,
Never to plough the briny Ocean more.
From midst of Storms, Blood, Noise, Confusion, Fires,
He coolly, calmly, peaceably Expires,
Whose Death Religious: Living Actions were
Valiant, Just, Humble, Patient and Sincere.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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