Page:Railway rhymer.pdf/4



The mighty Channel Fleet
 * Has anchored in our Bay,

And we must sail to greet
 * The Nelsons of our day.

These Devastators fell,
 * Arrayed in plate of proof,

The balls of foes repel
 * Like hail from slaty roof.

Go, Citizens, behold
 * What wonders skill creates—

Your silver and your gold
 * Turned into iron plates;

These monsters of the flood,
 * Combining strength and speed,

Make statesmen tax your food
 * The lust of power to feed.

Learn from these floating isles,
 * How hollow is the strain,

That "Peace with honour" smiles.
 * And friendly feelings reign;

Say rather, that they prove
 * What diplomates allege—

"Tho' neighbours vow their love,
 * Yet pull not down your hedge.”

But Concord, in these hulls,
 * That cumber ocean's path,

Sees tools that scheming sculls
 * Afford the hands of Wrath;

Sees in those smoking hulks,
 * That darken all the flood,

The caves where Vengeance skulks,
 * To shed his brother's blood.