TRAFALGAR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1269, 26 October 1911, Page 2

TRAFALGAR.

« ' Octobor 21, 1605. I-THE GOING FORTH OP NELSON. Through Portsmouth town ho went forth! to his doom; Tho Empire's life at 6take—ho knew it wellWhile Europe quailed before tho tyrant fell, The last left star of hope that pierced the gloom: All faces turned on liitn ai ho passed by, A world of mixed emotions in his vein. The most haunting and pathetic ever seen In whom the world's last hopes did yet survive: They took their last long look on him alivo For whom each one ot them would gladly die, An to the quay ho went along the street; And (o all eyes sprung the unbidden tear,. AVhilo ghostlike in the offing loomed tho fleet— Vfb.cn ho came, back it was upon his bier. 11-THE BATTLE. O! roar aud thunders of Trafalgar's day! Whose bruit and conflict echoes round the world; Whose reverberations will not pass away As long as Freedom's banner flies unfurled: They pass to cleave tho Focman's vast array; Great kelson's self in silence leads tho van, And beats alond tho heart of every man All eager his last signal to obey: 0! torn and reeling ships and thundering gun. , And sulphurous smoko confounding earth and skies Of that unequalled sea fight of renown! And awful silenco when tho day was done! While dying on his ship tho Victor lies. And mid those tumbling wrecks the sun. went down! 111-THE COMING HOME. Tho battered Victory slowly cleaves her way Through tho tumultuous and tho seething foam, Bearing, her precious froigbt—her master home, Who mado her name- immortal on that day, And Europe 6aved and gave his lifo away: All the day long and night tho ooasolesa surge Seemed to tho seamen's hearts to sing tho dirge Of him they loved bo, as before him none: With flag half-mast just fluttering in ta« breeze She dropped her anchor, and o&ch minuto gun The grief of all and every one bespoke; There was no cyo but what with tears did brim, As they came in crowds for their last look ni him, Tho kingliest, and tho tenderost heart of oak Of England's seamen who have ruled Ih» seas, -A.T.T.