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288 SONGS AND BALLADS
When we came to Naples no French fleet had been there;
Back to the isle of Sicily our course we then did steer,
Where we watered all our warlike ships, likewise refreshed our
men. All things complete, and the wind set fair, we put to sea again.
We scarce had made the island when a strange sail we spied, Gave chase and soon came up with her—she proved the Reguli. She told us Malta was taken and the French fleet put to sea With the whole of their old troops on board, bound for Alexandrie.
Great was our disappointment; our ships their winds did haul, And slowly standing down the coast in a silent cruise we call.
[They sight the ' Pharos ' and open the bay. And there we spied the French fleet about three leagues or more.
[They bear down and form line of battle. It was the first of August, that being our glorious day When we began the action, 'twas in Aboukir Bay.
[The next verses name all the ships in their order.']
The Zealous led the way, my boys,.....
.....the Bellerophon and Minotaur,
All followed by the bold Vanguard, which made the French to rue. |
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We anchored alongside of them like lions bold and free. When their masts and shrouds came tumbling down, what a glorious sight to see! |
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Then came the bold Leander, that noble fifty-four, And on the bows of the Franklin she caused her guns to roar; Gave her a dreadful drubbing, boys, and did severely maul, Which caused them loud for quarter cry and down French colours haul.
Now the glory and the pride of France the L'Orient was called, And in the centre of their line she got severely mauled ; Gave her a dreadful drubbing, boys, took fire and up she blew, With fourteen hundred souls on board which bid this world adieu. |
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