XXV.

ADMIRAL HOSIER'S GHOST

Was a party song written by the ingenious author of _Leonidas_,[882] on the taking of Porto Bello from the Spaniards by Admiral Vernon, Nov. 22, 1739.--The case of Hosier, which is here so pathetically represented, was briefly this. In April, 1726, that commander was sent with a strong fleet into the Spanish West-Indies, to block up the galleons in the ports of that country, or should they presume to come out, to seize and carry them into England: he accordingly arrived at the Bastimentos near Porto Bello, but being employed rather to overawe than to attack the Spaniards, with whom it was probably not our interest to go to war, he continued long inactive on that station, to his own great regret. He afterwards removed to Carthagena, and remained cruizing in these seas, till far the greater part of his men perished deplorably by the diseases of that unhealthy climate. This brave man, seeing his best officers and men thus daily swept away, his ships exposed to inevitable destruction, and himself made the sport of the enemy, is said to have died of a broken heart. Such is the account of Smollett, compared with that of other less partial writers.

The following song is commonly accompanied with a Second Part, or Answer, which being of inferior merit, and apparently written by another hand, hath been rejected.

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[Dr. Rimbault (_Musical Illustrations_, p. 30) writes: "The earliest copy of the tune to this ballad is contained in the ballad opera of _Sylvia, or the Country Burial_, 1731. It may also be found in Walsh's _British Musical Miscellany_, vol. iv. and in other works of a similar description. The ballads of _Come and listen to my ditty_ and _Cease, rude Boreas_, were sung to this tune, which appears to have been always a favourite for 'sea ditties.'"

In Hannah More's _Life_ (vol. i. p. 405) is the following interesting note: "I was much amused with hearing old Leonidas Glover sing his own fine ballad of _Hosier's Ghost_, which was very affecting. He is past eighty." In the matter of the last item Mrs. More was wrong. Richard Glover was born in 1712, and died on Nov. 25, 1785.]

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As near Porto-Bello lying On the gently swelling flood, At midnight with streamers flying Our triumphant navy rode; There while Vernon sate all-glorious 5 From the Spaniards' late defeat: And his crews, with shouts victorious, Drank success to England's fleet:

On a sudden shrilly sounding, Hideous yells and shrieks were heard; 10 Then each heart with fear confounding, A sad troop of ghosts appear'd, All in dreary hammocks shrouded, Which for winding-sheets they wore, And with looks by sorrow clouded 15 Frowning on that hostile shore.

On them gleam'd the moon's wan lustre, When the shade of Hosier brave His pale bands was seen to muster Rising from their watry grave. 20 O'er the glimmering wave he hy'd him, Where the Burford[883] rear'd her sail, With three thousand ghosts beside him, And in groans did Vernon hail.

Heed, oh heed our fatal story, 25 I am Hosier's injur'd ghost, You, who now have purchas'd glory, At this place where I was lost! Tho' in Porto-Bello's ruin You now triumph free from fears, 30 When you think on our undoing, You will mix your joy with tears.

See these mournful spectres sweeping Ghastly o'er this hated wave, Whose wan cheeks are stain'd with weeping; 35 These were English captains brave. Mark those numbers pale and horrid, Those were once my sailors bold: Lo, each hangs his drooping forehead, While his dismal tale is told. 40

I, by twenty sail attended, Did this Spanish town affright; Nothing then its wealth defended But my orders not to fight. Oh! that in this rolling ocean 45 I had cast them with disdain, And obey'd my heart's warm motion To have quell'd the pride of Spain!

For resistance I could fear none, But with twenty ships had done 50 What thou, brave and happy Vernon, Hast atchiev'd with six alone. Then the bastimentos never Had our foul dishonour seen, Nor the sea the sad receiver 55 Of this gallant train had been.

Thus, like thee, proud Spain dismaying, And her galleons leading home, Though condemn'd for disobeying, I had met a traitor's doom, 60 To have fallen, my country crying He has play'd an English part, Had been better far than dying Of a griev'd and broken heart.

Unrepining at thy glory, 65 Thy successful arms we hail; But remember our sad story, And let Hosier's wrongs prevail. Sent in this foul clime to languish, Think what thousands fell in vain, 70 Wasted with disease and anguish, Not in glorious battle slain.

Hence with all my train attending From their oozy tombs below, Thro' the hoary foam ascending, 75 Here I feed my constant woe: Here the bastimentos viewing, We recal our shameful doom, And our plaintive cries renewing, Wander thro' the midnight gloom. 80

O'er these waves for ever mourning Shall we roam depriv'd of rest, If to Britain's shores returning You neglect my just request; After this proud foe subduing, 85 When your patriot friends you see, Think on vengeance for my ruin, And for England sham'd in me.

FOOTNOTES:

[882] An ingenious correspondent informs the Editor, that this ballad hath been also attributed to the late Lord Bath.

[883] Admiral Vernon's ship.