ET. 27.] SCHEME OF THE POETS-BATTLE OF THE BALTIC. 41

Had I been left alone with him, I believe I had the strength which rage supplies, so full within me, that I could have mastered a stronger man than this wretch appeared to be. I have been greatly agitated, as might be expected, by the consequences of this fright on Matilda's health She is better; but we shall be obliged, for the sake of medical attendance, to go to London. I owe you my warm thanks for your care and accurate account of my quarto edition in Edinburgh. . Till Matilda be well, I cannot arrest the course of my expenses. I pray you slack not regard, though I be a troublesome correspondent. It may some day be in my power to testify the value I have set on the friend who knows all my cares, because his sympathy for them is greatest. . .' T. C.

.

The first idea of the "Specimens of the British Poets," in which he had already made some progress, and the original sketch of "The Battle of the Baltic," are thus communicated in a private letter.

TO WALTER SCOTT, ESQ.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

SYDENHAM, March 27, 1805.

I have been for some time engaged in a work in which I have meant to consult you for advice and direction. It is compilatory-but if I receive the aid of a few such men as yourself, I shall do some service to the public. It is a collection of the best specimens of English Poetry. With ten Nestors, Agamemnon could have taken Troy; but with fewer adjutants I shall encompass the British Parnassus, and bring it to capitulate.-I only mean to my powers of compilation; for my poetical vein has

ceased to beat. I am stagnated by the cares of the world. I have only fought one other battle-it is Copenhagen.* I wonder how you will like it in its incorrect state.

THE BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN.

1. Of Nelson and the north,

Sing the day,

When, their haughty powers to vex,

He engaged the Danish decks;

And with twenty floating wrecks
Crowned the fray.

2. All bright, in April's sun,
Shone the day;

When a British fleet came down,
Through the islands of the crown,
And by Copenhagen town

Took their stay.

3. In arms the Danish shore
Proudly shone;

By each gun the lighted brand
In a bold determined hand,
And the Prince of all the land

Led them on.

4. For Denmark here had drawn
All her might:

From her battle-ships so vast
She had hewn away the mast,
And at anchor to the last
Bade them fight.

As the alterations and omissions in the printed copy of this ballad are numerous and striking, the reader will not be displeased to have an opportunity of comparing the ballad, "in its incorrect state," with that in which it now stands among his finished poems-where eight stanzas were rejected, and all the others more or less altered, while it was passing through the press.

66

ET. 27.] ORIGINAL SKETCH OF THE BATTLE OF THE BALTIC.” 43

5. Another noble fleet

Of their line

Rode out, but these were nought
To the batteries which they brought,
Like Leviathans afloat

In the brine.

6. It was ten of Thursday morn,
By the chime,

As they drifted on their path
There was silence deep as death,
And the boldest held his breath
For a time-

7. Ere a first and fatal round
Shook the flood;

Every Dane looked out that day,
Like the red wolf on his prey,
And he swore his flag to sway
O'er our blood.

8. Not such a mind possess'd
England's tar;

"Twas the love of noble game
Set his oaken heart on flame,
For to him 'twas all the same
Sport and war.

9. All hands and eyes on watch,
As they keep;

By their motion light as wings,
By each step that haughty springs,
You might know them for the kings
Of the deep!

10. "Twas the Edgar first that smote
Denmark's line;

As her flag the foremost soar'd,
Murray stamp'd his foot on board,
And an hundred cannons roared

At the sign!

ET. 27.] ORIGINAL SKETCH OF THE BATTLE OF THE BALTIC." 45

17. But the Britons sent to warn

Denmark's town;

Proud foes, let vengeance sleep!
If another chain-shot sweep—
All your navy in the deep
Shall go down!

18. Then, peace instead of death
Let us bring!

If you 'll yield your conquer'd fleet,
With the crews, at England's feet,
And make submission meet

To our King.

19. The Dane return'd, a truce
Glad to bring;

He would yield his conquer'd fleet
With the crews at England's feet
And make submission meet

To our King!

20. Then death withdrew his pall
From the day;

And the sun look'd smiling bright

On a wide and woeful sight

Where the fires of funeral light

Died away.

21. Yet all amidst her wrecks

And her gore,

Proud Denmark blest our Chief
That he gave her wounds relief;
And the sounds of joy and grief
Fill'd her shore.

22. All round, outlandish cries
Loudly broke;

But a nobler note was rung

When the British, old and young,
To their bands of music sung

"Hearts of oak!"