SONG ON THE LOSS OF THE ROYAL GEORGE
1
Toll for the Brave!
The Brave, that are no more!
All sunk beneath the wave,
Fast by their native shore.—
2
Eight hundred of the Brave,
Whose courage well was tried,
Had made the vessel heel,
And laid her on her side.
3
A Land breeze shook the shrouds,
And she was over set;
Down went the Royal George,
With all her sails complete.
4
Toll for the Brave!
Brave Kempenfelt is gone:
His last sea-fight is fought;
His work of glory done.
5
It was not in the battle,
No tempest gave the shock;
She sprang no fatal leak;
She ran upon no rock.
6
His sword was in its sheath;
His fingers held the pen,
When Kempenfelt went down,
With twice four hundred men.
7
Weigh the vessel up!
Once dreaded by our foes!
And mingle with the cup
The tear that England owes.
8
Her timbers yet are sound,
And she may float again,
Full charg'd with England's thunder,
And plow the distant main.
9
But Kempenfelt is gone,
His victories are o'er;
And he, and his eight hundred,
Shall plow the wave no more.