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LINES,

ON THE

BRILLIANT VICTORY OVER THE COMBINED
FLEETS OF FRANCE AND SPAIN,

OCTOBER the 21st, 1805.

BRITONS, rejoice !— our bulwarks once again
Triumphantly ride upon the azure main ;—
Once more bright Vict'ry greets us with a smile,
And brings new laurels to our sea girt Isle.
Proud day for Albion, and her gallant sons,
Who bravely fac'd the boasting French and Dons !
What can withstand our gallant, daring Tars,—
Inur'd to conquest and the din of wars ?—
Led on by NELSON, whose great name inspir'd
Each Seaman's bosom as the guns were fir'd.
Rejoice ! rejoice ! —" Britannia rules the waves !''—
With such defenders we can ne'er be slaves !
But, 'midst this joy, some signs of grief appear—
The Patriot sheds the sympathetic tear ;
Britannia mourns—her fav'rite Hero dead,—
In England's cause the gallant Nelson bled ;
Tho' lost to us, yet his immortal name
Will e're be echo'd by the trump of Fame ;
Will e're be mentioned with deserved praise,
By Hist ry's records, and the Poet's lays :
The vet'ran Tar his vict'ries will proclaim,
And teach his sons to lisp brave Nelson's name ;
Recount his battles in a Seaman's style,
And glory in the Hero of the Nile !

Manchester, Nov. 8, 1805.                                G. W.