Lines on the Death of Lord Nelson

The fleets of haughty France and Spain / No more will triumph on the main, / Though Nelson is no more: / Our hero's blood was dearly bought; / To conquer them he bravely fought, / And died in vict'ry's arms.

'We'll avenge his death,' all seamen cry, / 'We'll fight, we'll conquer, or we'll die, / And e'er their force deride: / Our little ones shall lisp his name, / And to acquire a Nelson's fame / Shall ever be their pride.'

Before cold death had closed his eyes, / Cover'd with wounds, the hero cries, / 'Is victory our own?' / 'We've conquer'd,' cried the valiant crew. / He smiling bade them all adieu, / And died without a groan.

Yet, ere he flew, he did enquire, / How many ships were then on fire, / And others that had struck: / Well pleased the hero then was seen, / When told the number was fifteen; / For England was his care.

Then with a bright benignant smile, / Imploring blessings on our isle, / Bade Collingwood farewell: / To the Supreme, all good and just, / His ashes we consign, in trust, / They'll be revived in heav'n.