The Genius of Britain
The Genius of Britain went hovering round,
For she fear’d that fair Freedom was fled;
But she found to her joy that she was not quite gone,
But remain’d with the fleet at Spithead.
Rejoic’d at the news, to the Charlotte she flew,
Where fair Freedom she heard sat enthron’d:
They all man’d the yards as the goddess came [in],
For Britain and Freedom they own’d.
The fleet hail’d the goddess with three hearty cheers
As she stood on the Charlotte’s gangway,
She drop’d a sad tear as she look’d on her sons
Who so long neglected had lay;
She was led to the cabin. Fair Freedom was there,
True Loyalty sat by her side;
Britannia sat down in a transport of joy:
‘All hail to my heroes!’ she cry’d.
Every ship in the line sent two seamen so brave,
Whom the goddess receiv’d with a smile:
They assured her that if they were treated like men
They would still guard her favourite isle.
‘Go on, my brave sons, in the steps you now tread,
Be virtue your guide and your guard,
And God, who rules over the land and the sea,
Will your honest endeavours reward.’
The Genius of Ireland came in with her harp,
She saluted fair Freedom with tears,
They man’d the yards to welcome her o’er,
And every ship gave three cheers.
Success to the seventeen united bright stars,
Let their praise echo round every shore,
And the fifteenth of April will ne’er be forgot
Till Britannia and Freedom’s no more.