‘Ah! Cursed be that fatal day When I from home was led astray, In this damned place to dwell: Oh! had I in the country stay’d I might have learnt some useful trade And scorn’d the white lapelle. ‘When first on board the ship I went, My belly full, my mind content,-- No sorrows touched my heart: I view’d my coat, so flash and new, My gay cockade, my hanger too, And thought them wondrous smart. ‘But now, alas! my coat is rent; My hanger’s pawned; my money spent; My former friends I’ve missed; And when of hardships I complain, My messmates swear ’tis all in vain, And cry “What made you list?” ‘But hark! I hear the corp’ral’s tread: Another dose, and then to bed, Of every joy bereft: I shake my bottle with a doubt; My poor half-pint is quite drained out, Not one kind drop is left.’ The youth with indignation burns, Into his hated hammock turns; Alas! not long to sleep: The quartermaster, with hoarse tongue, Awakes him; says ‘The bell has rung!’ He’s roused, his watch to keep. Shiv’ring he walks the quarter-deck, Dreading the stern lieutenant’s check, Who struts the weather-side; With glass and trumpet in his hand, He bellows forth his harsh command, With arrogance and pride. _THE BATTLE OF THE NILE._ [Fragment.] Come, all you British sailors bold, and listen to my song: It’s well worth your attention, and I will not keep you long; It’s of a British squadron that sailed the other day, Commanded by Lord Nelson on the 29th of May. We had just twelve sail of the line, our fleet it was no more, Besides a frigate and a brig, to cruise the Straits all o’er. In chasing of those French dogs our intention it was good, With the wind at S.S.E., my boys, our course for Naples stood. When we came to Naples no French fleet had been there; Back to the isle of Sicily our course we then did steer, Where we watered all our warlike ships, likewise refreshed our men. All things complete, and the wind set fair, we put to sea again. We scarce had made the island when a strange sail we spied, Gave chase and soon came up with her--she proved the _Reguli_. She told us Malta was taken and the French fleet put to sea With the whole of their old troops on board, bound for Alexandrie. Great was our disappointment; our ships their winds did haul, And slowly standing down the coast in a silent cruise we call. [_They sight the ‘Pharos’ and open the bay._ And there we spied the French fleet about three leagues or more. [_They bear down and form line of battle._ It was the first of August, that being our glorious day When we began the action, ’twas in Aboukir Bay.