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Ixxx SONGS AND BALLADS
Wagnall' is interesting as a curiosity (p. 218). Twenty-three years later it was adapted to fit Rodney's victory. Two other pieces of verse— one composed by Paul Whitehead and sung by Mr. Beard at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, the other by Robert English, chaplain of the Royal George—are reprinted in Hawke's Life (pp. 253-56). 'Though the rude billows raged," sang the chaplain, ' so close we engaged
That rarely a shot was misplaced ; The troops on the land chilled with horror they stand To see the white flag so disgraced.
' No longer they'll boast of descents on our coast, The bright Queen of the main to reduce ;
The fair English rose more lovely it blows, While droops the faint Flower de Luce.
' Each generous heart played so gallant a part That glory has crowned our endeavours
And what is still more, the lasses on shore Will esteem us deserving their favours.'
. Boscawen and Hawke had effectively ended the French threats of invasion, for which purpose a number of flat-bottomed boats had been built (Entick, iii. 403 ; v. 50). It is to this project that Garrick contemptuously refers in Hearts of Oak, a song in his pantomime Harlequin s Invasion, which was produced on December 31, 1759. The text of the song is so altered in the current versions that it seemed desirable to print it in its original form (p. 220). The only French landing effected took place in Ireland. In October 1759 M. Thurot, with six frigates and 1,300 troops, eluding the squadron under Commodore Boys, which was block-
, ading that port, set out on his adventurous cruise. The weather frustrated an intended descent near |
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