was written by the ingenious author of LEONIDAS, on the taking of Porto Bello from the Spaniards by Admiral Vernon, Nov. 22. 1739.-The cafe of Hofter, which is here fo pathetically reprefented, was briefly this. In April, 1726, that commander was fent with a farong fleet into the Spanish Weft-Indies, to block up the galleons in the ports of that country, or should they prefume to come out, to feize and carry them into England: be accordingly arrived at the Bastimentos near Porto Bello, but being restricted by his orders from obeying the dictates of his courage, lay inactive on that ftation until he became the jeft of the Spaniards: he afterwards removed to Carthagena, and continued cruizing in thefe feas, till far the greater part of his men perished deplorably by the difeafes of that unhealthy climate. This brave man, feeing bis beft officers and men thus daily fwept away, his fhips expofed to inevitable destruction, and himself made the sport of the enemy, is faid to have died of a broken heart. See Smol let's hift. The following fong is commonly accompanied with a Second Part, or Anfwer, which being of inferior merit, and apparently written by another hand, hath been rejected. AS S near Porto-Bello lying On the gently fwelling flood, At midnight with streamers flying 3 There There while Vernon fate all-glorious From the Spaniards' late defeat ; And his crews with fhouts victorious, Drank fuccefs to England's fleet: On a fudden fhrilly founding, Hideous yells, and fhrieks were heard; On them gleam'd the moon's wan luftre, O'er the glimmering wave he hy'd him, Heed, oh heed our fatal story, I am Hofier's injur'd ghoft, You, who now have purchas'd glory, 5 10 15 20 25 At this pce where I was loft! The Admiral's foip. Tho' Those were once my failors bold, Lo, each hangs his drooping forehead, I, by twenty fail attended, Did this Spanish town affright; Nothing then its wealth defended But my orders not to fight: Oh! that in this rolling ocean I had caft them with disdain, 40 45 And obey'd my heart's warm motion To have quell'd the pride of Spain! For refiftance I could fear none, But with twenty fhips had done What thou, brave and happy Vernon, Haft atchiev'd with fix alone. VOL. II. 50 Then the baftimentos never Had our foul difhonour feen, Nor the fea the fad receiver Of this gallant train had been. Thus, like thee, proud Spain difmaying, I had met a traitor's doom, He has play'd an English part, Unrepining at thy glory, Thy fuccessful arms we hail ; But remember our fad ftory, And let Hofier's wrongs prevail. Sent in this foul clime to languifh Think what thousands fell in vain, Wafted with disease and anguish, Hence with all my train attending Here I feed my constant woe: 55 60 65 70 75 Here Here the baftimentos viewing, We recal our fhameful doom, And our plaintive cries renewing, O'er these waves for ever mourning When your patriot friends you fee, Think on vengeance for my ruin, THE END OF BOOK THE THIRD. A az |