Admiral Vernon's Answer to Hosier

Hosier, with indignant sorrow I have heard thy mournful tale, And if Heaven permit, to-morrow Our victorious fleet shall sail.

O'er these hostile billows roaming, We will urge our bold design; With the blood of thousands foaming, For our country's wrongs, and thine.

On that day when each brave fellow, Who now triumphs here with me, Storm'd and plunder'd Porto-Bello. All my thoughts were full of thee.

Thy disastrous fate alarm'd me, Sure thy image glar'd on high, And with gen'rous ardour warm'd me, To revenge thy fall or die.

From these lofty ships descending, Thro' the flood in firm array, To the destin'd city bending, Our lov'd sailors took their way.

Straight the foe with horror trembling, Quits in haste his batter'd walls; And in accents undissembling, As he flies for mercy calls,

Carthagena tow'ring wonder, At the daring deed dismay'd, Shall ere long by Britain's thunder, Smoaking in the dust be laid.

Still remember thy sad story, To thy injur'd ghost I swear, By my hopes of future glory, War shall be my future care.

And I'll never leave pursuing Spain's proud sons from sea to sea, With just vengeance for thy ruin, And for England wrong'd in me.