For Him, alike on shore and surge, Of proud Iberia’s power the scourge; And half around the sea-girt ball, The hunter of the recreant Gaul. Rear the tall shaft on some bold steep Whose base is buried in the deep; But whose bright summit shines afar O’er the blue ocean, like a star. Such let it be, as o’er the bed Of Nilus rears its lonely head; Which never shook at mortal might, Till NELSON lanced the bolts of fight. (What time the ORIENT, wrapt in fire Blazed, its own seamen’s funeral pyre, And, with explosive fury riven, Sprang thundering to the midnight heaven.) Around it, when the raven night Shades ocean, fire the beacon-light; And let it, thro’ the tempest, flame The star of safety as of fame. Thither, as o’er the deep below The seaman seeks his country’s foe, His emulative eye shall roll, And NELSON’S spirit fill his soul. Thither, shall youthful heroes climb, The NELSONS of an after-time, And, round that sacred altar, swear Such glory and such graves to share. Raise then, imperial Britain, raise The trophied pillar of his praise; And worthy be its towering pride, Of those that live, of HIM that died! Worthy of NELSON of the NILE! Of NELSON of the cloud-capp’d Isle, Of TRAFALGAR and VINCENT’S heights, Of NELSON of the hundred fights! TO HIM WHO DESPAIRS OF SPAIN. 1809. Despair of Spain!--and dost _thou_ dare To talk, cold plodder, of despair? Dost _thou_ presume to scan The proud revenge, the deathless zeal, The throes that injured nations feel, Beneath the oppressor’s ban; The pride, the spirit, and the power, That, growing with the arduous hour, Ennoble patriot man? O thou of little heart and hope, Purblind diviner, can thy scope Nothing but danger see?-- Unfrighted tho’ with carnage strew’d, Ev’n in her ruins unsubdued, Great in adversity, Do Saragossa and her train-- Heroes and Saints--survive in vain, Shall they be told ‘Despair of Spain,’ And told, alas! by _thee_? Oh, no; tho’ France’s murderous hand Should sweep the desolated land, _Revenge_ will still remain:-- Smother’d, but not extinguish’d quite, A spark will live, in time will light, And fire the lengthening train.-- Stung by that pang which never dies, Enthusiast millions shall arise, And Europe echo to their cries, NEVER DESPAIR OF SPAIN! NOTES TO THE BATTLE OF TALAVERA. STANZA II. line 1.--_France’s chosen bands._ The force opposed to the allies comprised some of the élite of the French army. St. II. l. 2.--_He of the borrowed crown._ ‘The _borrowed_ Majesty of England.’ _Shakspeare, King John._