Battle Of The Baltic

Of Nelson and the North     Sing the glorious day's renown,     When to battle fierce came forth     All the might of Denmark's crown,     And her arms along the deep proudly shone;     By each gun the lighted brand     In a bold determined hand,     And the Prince of all the land     Led them on.     Like leviathans afloat     Lay their bulwarks on the brine,     While the sign of battle flew     On the lofty British line:     It was ten of April morn by the chime:     As they drifted on their path     There was silence deep as death,     And the boldest held his breath     For a time.     But the might of England flush'd     To anticipate the scene;     And her van the fleeter rush'd     O'er the deadly space between:     '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.     Again! again! again!     And the havoc did not slack,     Till a feeble cheer the Dane     To our cheering sent us back;     Their shots along the deep slowly boom:     Then ceased, and all is wail,     As they strike the shatter'd sail,     Or in conflagration pale     Light the gloom.     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,     With the crews, at England's feet,     And make submission meet     To our King.'     Now joy, old England, raise!     For the tidings of thy might,     By the festal cities' blaze,     Whilst 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!     Brave hearts! to Britain's pride     Once so faithful and so true,     On the deck of fame that died,     With the gallant, good Riou     Soft sigh the winds of heaven o'er their grave!     While the billow mournful rolls,     And the mermaid's song condoles,     Singing glory to the souls     Of the brave!