| Citation |
NYWJ.741.023
11 May 1741:21 (388)
LORD CATHCART'S GHOST, Tune of Hosier's Ghost.
I.
As great Vernon lay all pensive,
In his cabin late one night,
Thinking how to act defensive;
Cathcart's ghost appear'd in sight:
Oh! brave Vernon been't dejected
That the fleet so long did stay,
All true Brittons were affected
At our armaments delay.
II.
On the court I daily waited,
For dispatch in this affair;
Courteously I there was treated,
But delays was forced to bear;
I was told a mediation,
Which of peace could never fail,
Was by Fleury's instigation;
And the fleet forbid to sail.
III.
Then delaying all our measures,
Flatter'd by the arts of France,
Thus they daily spent the treasures;
Which Great Britain did advance:
But their hopes were seen to vanish,
When to court the tydings came;
That the Gallick fleet and Spanish,
Were met on the western Main.
IV.
Thus the great ones were dismay'd,
When all their pacifick dreams,
To the country were display'd;
By the French and Spanish schemes:
Then the people loud complaining.
To their sovereign bent their way,
The head minister reviling,
For the fleet's so long delay.
V.
The good King o'er whelm'd with sorrow,
At his subjects just complaints;
Said the fleet should sail to morrow,
Without any more restraints:
For he ne'er will cease contending,
For his people's injured cause;
As he always is defending,
Both their liberty's and laws.
VI.
Sailing orders now recieving,
Forthwith I repaired on board;
There was whistling, noise and heaving,
Till the ships were all unmoor'd:
When Jack Tar with longing pleasure,
Mounts th' extended yard on high,
Bent on gaining Spanish treasures,
British canvas he lets flly.
VII.
Soon the ocean we discrying,
How our flattering hopes did grow,
But a tempest then arising,
Had just caused overthrow;
Thus with tempests daily thwarted,
On this coast I came on shoar,
And then life from me departed;
Thus Cathcart you see's no more.
VIII.
Oh! Ned, let the ghost of Sawny,
At this time on you prevail,
That my Scottish lads so bonny
Mayn't of their preferrment fail:
Would you Vernon but consider,
What I underwent for you,
It would be your grand endeavour;
That my Loon's should have their due.
IX.
All my sad and fatal story,
They will not at all repine,
If thro' you they purchase glory;
And attain the grand design:
But this maxim pray remember,
And oft bear it in your mind;
Be you e'er so kind or tender,
Interest doth the Scotsmen bind,
X.
Thus deprived from dying glorious,
'Tis on you my wishes wait;
May you always be victorious,
And soon tell the Spaniards, sate:
Now farewell, for I'm descending,
Vernon, to my destin'd place
Let the Scots that are depending,
Share your countenance and grace.
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