ve the soil:
Speak but your wish; I'll work on any plan,
And prove myself a grateful, honest man.

[Picture: Decorative image]

LINES
ON
THE DEATH OF LORD NELSON.

* * * * *

The fleets of haughty France and Spain
No more will triumph on the main,
Though Nelson is no more:
Our hero's blood was dearly bought;
To conquer them he bravely fought,
And died in vict'ry's arms.

'We'll avenge his death,' all seamen cry,
'We'll fight, we'll conquer, or we'll die,
And e'er their force deride:
Our little ones shall lisp his name,
And to acquire a Nelson's fame
Shall ever be their pride.'

Before cold death had closed his eyes,
Cover'd with wounds, the hero cries,
'Is victory our own?'
'We've conquer'd,' cried the valiant crew.
He smiling bade them all adieu,
And died without a groan.

Yet, ere he flew, he did enquire,
How many ships were then on fire,
And others that had struck:
Well pleased the hero then was seen,
When told the number was fifteen;
For England was his care.

Then with a bright benignant smile,
Imploring blessings on our isle,
Bade Collingwood farewell:
To the Supreme, all good and just,
His ashes we consign, in trust,
They'll be revived in heav'n.

WRITTEN EXTEMPORE,
_On Receipt of a Letter_, _dated Sept._ 26, 1806.

I've read your letter o'er and o'er again,
Happy to find you faithful do remain,
Besides forgiveness; though too much I fear,
I long have made you victim to despair.
You say two years with fervency I strove
To keep affection, constancy, and love;
But soon as crosses came upon my mind,
Was careless of you, and appear'd unkind.
I knew my home was neat, serene, and nice;
But, ah! that home I lost, allured by vice.
Soon as you fled, a different scene in view,
Gone all attention soon as I lost you.
The quick retort was always in my ears,
You've drown'd a virtuous wife in sorrow's tears.
Soon as I found all hopes to meet you fled,
I pray'd I might be number'd with the dead:
Oblivion's aid I oft invoked by drink,
I could not meditate nor dared to think.
You say it cost you tears to write to me;
But they'll disperse when you a convert see.
Long I've invoked a pardon from above,
To make me