Page:In Flanders Fields and Other Poems.djvu/32

The Captain Right into them the Vanguard leads, but with a sudden tack

The Spaniards double swiftly on their trail;

Now Jervis overshoots his mark, like some too eager pack,

He will not overtake them, haste he e'er so greatly back,

But Nelson and the Captain will not fail.

Like a tigress on her quarry leaps the Captain from her place,

To lie across the fleeing squadron's way:

Heavy odds and heavy onslaught, gun to gun and face to face,

Win the ship a name of glory, win the men a death of grace,

For a little hold the Spanish fleet in play.

Ended now the Captain's battle, stricken sore she falls aside

Holding still her foemen, beaten to the knee: [12]