'Hearts of oak,' our captains cried! when each gun From its adamantine lips Spread a death-shade round the ships, Like the hurricane eclipse Of the sun. IV. Again! again! again! And the havock did not slack, Till a feeble cheer the Dane To our cheering sent us back ; Their shots along the deep slowly boom: Then ceas'd-and all is wail, As they strike the shatter'd sail; Or, in conflagration pale, Light the gloom.— V.. Out spoke the victor then, As he hail'd them o'er the wave; Ye are brothers! ye are men! ' And we conquer but to save :— So peace instead of death let us bring: But yield, proud foe, thy fleet, As death withdrew his shades from the day. While the sun look'd smiling bright O'er a wide and woeful sight, Where the fires of fun'ral light Died away. VII. Now joy, old England, raise! For the tidings of thy might, By the festal cities' blaze, While the wine cup shines in light; And yet amidst that joy and uproar, Let us think of them that sleep, Full many a fathom deep, By thy wild and stormy steep, Elsinore! VIII. Brave hearts! to Britain's pride Once so faithful and so true, On the deck of fame that died, With the gallant good Riou:1 Soft sigh the winds of heav'n o'er their grave! While the billow mournful rolls, And the mermaid's song condoles, Singing glory to the souls Of the brave! 'Captain Riou, justly entitled the gallant and the good, by Lord Nelson, when he wrote home his dispatches. |