Слике страница
PDF
ePub

of energy in prosecuting his recent successes at Beachy-Head. Before it was known that the Dutch and English fleets were conjoined, orders had been sent to Tourville from the luckless James II., to the effect that he must protect the contemplated descent of Irish and French troops on England, and not decline a battle with the fleet if it were offered. Hoping the best, "he sailed from Brest, steered first towards the north-east, came in sight of the coast of Dorsetshire, and then struck across the Channel towards La Hogue, where the army which he was to convey to England had already begun to embark on board the transports."

Within a few leagues of Harfleur, Tourville sees the English and Dutch fleet, bears down on them, and engages them in battle. This earlier engagement of the continuous sea-fight of La Hogue, we have already considered, in the third song of "The Midshipman's Garland" (vide ante pp. 117-120, as before cited).'

As already stated, on p. 118, several of the French vessels escaped by venturing through the dangerous Race of Alderney, where pursuers dared not follow. Others, of greater bulk, retreated to the havens of the Cotentin. Three of them, all threedeckers, reached Cherburg safely. They were Tourville's own ship, the Royal Sun, and (probably, as they are indicated in the following ballad) the Lewis and the Dauphin. "The Ambitious, to which Tourville had removed his flag, with twelve other ships, all first-rates or second-rates, took refuge in the Bay of La Hogue, close to the head-quarters of" James the Second's army of invasion. "The three ships which had fled to Cherburg were closely chased by an English squadron under the command of Delaval. He found them hauled up into shoal water, where no large man of war could get at them. He therefore determined to attack them with his fireships and boats. The service was gallantly and successfully performed. In a short time the Royal Sun and her two consorts were burned to ashes. Part of the crews escaped to the shore; and part fell into the hands of the English." In the ballad entitled "The Royal Triumph," posses

1 We take advantage of this opportunity, without waiting for an Appendix, to supply a detail omitted from p. 114, in the same Midshipman's Garland. Of the Trader's Medley we told where the second part may be found. But the song is marked as to be sung to "When cold winter storms are past." The ballad itself, thus beginning (Mr. Chappell informs us), is in the Pepys Coll., v. 268. There are four lines of music given, and two columns of ten-line stanzas. "Printed for P. Brooksby, at the Golden Ball, in Pye-corner, near West Smithfield. 1688." In white-letter. Begins, "When cold Winter Storms were past.' Title, "The Scotch Lass Deceiv'd. By her Bonny Lad Jockey. To a new Scotch Tune of Mr. Farmer's. This may be printed, R. P[ocock]."

sing historical interest, we find details of the action which followed, off the forts Lisset and Saint Vaast. To this we reserve a continuation of account.

Admiral Killigrew obtains prominence, perhaps more than his due, in the title of the following ballad. He was, along with Delaval, placed in command over the Channel Fleet, in March, 1693, in a great measure owing to the personal hatred which existed between Nottingham and Russell (who was transferred to the household from his proper position). A portrait of Russell, after becoming Earl of Orford in 1697, is in Smollett's Hist. Eng., ix. 133; and of Rooke on p. 368. There is some vagueness about the exact date of "The Seamen's Victory." If not coincident with "Russell's Triumph," or a few days later, it refers to 1693, when the French fleets from Brest and Toulon effected their meeting, and baffled Killigrew.

There was another ballad on Tourville's defeat, sung fully eighty years ago. The remainder of the verses may possibly be extant; here is the commencement :

As Turville in his Cabin lay,

He dreamed a strange dream,
A voice appeared unto him,"
And called him by name :
Saying,Turville, it cannot be right
To linger so long here,

For the English will be here this night,
If that the wind is fair." 3

1 See p. 294, footnote.

2 Compare "He goes but to see a noise that he heard, and is to come again.” -Midsummer N.D., Act iii.

Mr. John Payne Collier, in a recent letter to the Editor, gave the above verse, mentioning:- "My father (full seventy-five years ago) had a servant with a good voice, and he used to sing a ballad on the same event [viz. The Battle of La Hogue], of which I remember one verse [here given]. I am not sure that the last [line] was not

If that the weather's clear.'

The rest, though I knew it once, I have forgotten." No wonder, if something escapes from memory, at eighty-nine years of age. Yet his intelligence remains as clear as ever; his industry as steady; his human sympathies as warm. Age has not weakened his love for Shakespeare: on whom his latest labour is his best. His friendly encouragement has always cheered literary aspirants; for he is himself devoid of jealousy or envy.

[Bagford Collection, II. 88.]

The Seamens Wictory:

Dr,

Admiral Killegrew's Glorious Conquest over the French Fleet, in the Streights, as they were coming from THOULON towards BREST.

With the manner of Taking Three of their French Men of War, and sinking Two more; although the French Admiral vainly boasted he would recover Brest or Paradice, yet he shamefully run from the English Fleet.

TO THE TUNE Or The Spinning-wheel. Licensed according to Order.

[graphic]

HE

Ere's joyfull News came late from Sea,
'Tis of a gallant Victory,

Which or' the French we did obtain,
Upon the throbbing Ocean Main,
As soon as e'er they found our Rage,
The Rogues was glad to disengage.

6

The French Fleet sailing from Thoulon,
As we by Letters understand,

To join with those that lay at Brest,
As some of them have since confest:
But our brave Fleet with them did meet,
And made the Frenchmen soon retreat.

12

[graphic]

Five Ships with others, did advance,
Being the very Pride of France,
The Lewis, Dauphin, and the Sun,
With others which were forced to run,
As by this Ditty you shall hear,

Brave English Boys the Coast did clear.

The French at first did brag and boast,
But we so wisely rul'd the Roast;
Under our Admiral Killegrew,
That we engag'd and beat them too:
Declaring that we did not fear

18

The haughty Rage of proud Mounsieur.

24

Our Admiral bore up amain,
Resolving that he would maintain
A sharp and bloudy Fight, with those
Who dare K. William's Crown oppose:
Then Broad-sides streight began to roar,
Which laid the French in reeking Gore.

Right valiant Seamen fierce and bold,
Couragious noble Hearts of Gold,
All with a Resolution bent,

30

Whole Showers of Shot to them they sent,

By which the French in Hundreds fell,

Our Guns did ring their Passing-bell.

36

We pour'd our Shot on e'ery side,
"Tis bravely done, the Captains cry'd,
Though sharp and bloudy be the Fray,
The French are beat, we have the day:
True English Boys, 'twas bravely done,
See how the Frenchmen run, they run.

Now while we did maintain the Fight,
Two French Ships there we sunk down right,
And likewise have we taken Three,

This Crown'd our Work with Victory;
The noble valiant Killegrew,

After the rest do's still pursue.

The French-men they did [soon] retreat,
They were a shatter'd torn Fleet;
But if he shall them overtake,
A Prize of all the rest he'll make;
Couragious Boys are sail'd with him,
Who freely ventures Life and Limb.

Under the Admiral's Command,
For to defend the Native Land:
May Heaven prosper still and bless,
Our valiant Soldiers good Success,
Then we hereafter may advance

To shake the very Crown of France.

Printed for p. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, J. Back.

[In Black-letter: Date, 1692–3.]

[blocks in formation]
« ПретходнаНастави »