Nelson & His World

The boy stood on the burning deck
Whence all but he had fled;
The flame that lit the battle's wreck
Shone round him o'er the dead.

yet beautiful and bright he stood,
As born to rule the Storm;
A creature of heroic blood;
A proud, though childlike form.

The flames roll'd on..he would not go
Without his fathers word;
That father faint in death below,
His voice no longer heard.

He called aloud...''Say,father,say
if yet my task is done!''
He knew not that the chieftan lay Unconscious of his son

''Speak father!'' Once again he cried
''If I may yet be gone!''
And but the booming shots replied,
And fast the flames rolled on.

Upon his brow he felt their breath,
And in his waving hair,
And looked from that lone post of death,
In still yet brave despair;

And shouted but once more aloud,
''My father, must I say?''
While o'er him fast, through sail and shroud
The wreathing fires made way,

They wrap the ship in splendour wild,
They caught the flag on high,
And stream'd above the gallant child,
Like banners in the sky.

There came a burst of thunder sound...
The boy-oh! where was he?
Ask of the winds of far around
With fragments strewed the sea.

With mast, and helm, and pennon fair,
That well had borne their part;
But the noblest thing which perished there
Was that young faithful heart.

Author Mrs Felicia Dorothea Hemans

Thanks for posting this poem, Stephen.

I have copied it on the 'Poetry: you have been warned' thread, together with another poem celebrating the battle of the Nile.

Apologies Anna,

I had not looked at that posting before, the events of the time took more importance.

No apology needed! I just thought it would be good to have an extra copy with all the other poems for easy reference - that's if anyone looks at the poetry thread except me!