Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 420

Western freemen, prompt to dare,
Side by side with Bourbon's heir;
Proving who could then excel,
Came with succour long and well;
But Jerome, in peril nursed;
Shone among the foremost—first.

Through the reddened surge and spray,
Fast he cleaves his troubled way;
Boldly climbs and stoutly clings,
On the smoking timber springs;
Fronts the flames, nor fears to stand
In that lorn and weeping band;
Looks on death, nor tries to shun,
Till his work of love is done.

Glorious man!—immortal work!—
Claim thy hero, proud New York;
Harp of him when feasts are spread,
Tomb him with thy valiant dead.
Who that, bent on just renown,
Seeks a Christian's prize and crown,
Would not spurn whole years of life,
For one hour of such a strife?

notes

1

The upper and under plates of the tortoise are so called by naturalists.

2

The late Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, when in command, during the war, of a frigate on the coast of Calabria, finding sickness appear amongst his crew, purchased on his own responsibility some bullocks, for the purpose of supplying them with fresh meat. Lord Collingwood having heard of this, and considering it a breach of discipline, sent for Codrington, and addressed him: 'Captain Codrington, pray have you any idea of the price of a bullock in this place?' 'No, my lord,' was the reply, 'I have not; but I know well the value of a British sailor's life!'

3

This picture is believed to be no longer in existence. I have found its description in the work of the historian Decamps.

4

Abridged from the French of J. de Chatillon.