[from Collected Works, T.E.Brown]

ON THE SINKING OF THE VICTORIA
"HAS NELSON HEARD?"

" HAS Nelson heard?"
Death’s angel spake what time the sea was rent
With that big plunge. Far hand-clap, and the word—
" Content."

Content ; even so,
Great sailor, let the immortal signal fly—
Enough ! we know our duty, and we know
To die.

To die. No loud
Thunder of battle shakes the furious scene;
And, if we die in silence, are you proud,
O Queen?

O Queen, ‘tis thus
For you we die, no matter where or when
Or how we die, the while you say of us—
" O, nobly died ! O glorious Englishmen!"