314. Loss of the Royal George

William Cowper (1731—1800)

  TOLL for the Brave!

  The brave that are no more!

  All sunk beneath the wave

  Fast by their native shore!

  Eight hundred of the brave

  Whose courage well was tried,

  Had made the vessel heel

  And laid her on her side.

  A land-breeze shook the shrouds

  And she was overset;

  Down went the Royal George,

  With all her crew complete.

  Toll for the brave!

  Brave Kempenfelt is gone;

  His last sea-fight is fought,

  His work of glory done.

  It was not in the battle;

  No tempest gave the shock;

  She sprang no fatal leak,

  She ran upon no rock.

  His sword was in its sheath,

  His fingers held the pen,

  When Kempenfelt went down

  With twice four hundred men.

  Weigh the vessel up

  Once dreaded by our foes!

  And mingle with our cup

  The tears that England owes.

  Her timbers yet are sound,

  And she may float again

  Full charged with England ’s thunder,

  And plough the distant main:

  But Kempenfelt is gone,

  His victories are o’er;

  And he and his eight hundred

  Shall plough the wave no more.