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HAWKES ENGAGEMENT 217
Upon Gilchrist's shoulder a ball did graze; But the wound was not fatal, the Lord be prais'd; And tho' he was so wounded, he smiling did say, ' She is so disabled, she can't run away.'
She struck to us quickly, we boarded her then, We killed her more than an hundred men; The father and son they both captains were, And dy'd of their wounds, for truth we do hear.
Sure valianter captains never drew breath, Than Gilchrist and Hotham, unless it was Death. God prosper them both unto their lives end; By a true loyal subject these verses were penn'd. |
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HAWKE'S ENGAGEMENT
The fourteenth of [Nov]ember, in Torbay as we lay, . Bold Hawke did hoist his flag, sir, and came on board that day. Kind Neptune did protect us, with a sweet and pleasant breeze, We hoisted up our topsails, [to cross] the raging seas.
We had not crossed the raging seas full thirty leagues or more, We spy'd a sail to windward, and down on us she bore. O then he hail'd our admiral, and thus to him did say: ' The French fleet's all sailed out, sir, and bound for Quiberon Bay.'
' Can you tell me at what distance, and where about they lay ?' ' O yes, kind sir,' he then replied, ' it's thirty leagues to-day. There's twenty-two sail of the line to leeward of us do lie, All clean and tight for action as ever you did see.'
Then up bespoke our captain bold, to Edward Hawke did say: ' This is the finest news, sir, that's brought to us this day.' Then Hawke himself soon mounted upon the lofty yard; His wings were spread at large, my boys, and after them we steer'd.
The fifteenth of [Novjember, the morning being clear, When twenty-two sail of the line to leeward did appear. All hands ! all hands ! did rattle, a glorious sight to see; Unto the fight prepar'd, my boys, like lions bold and free. |
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