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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 132

(x) A collection of interesting contemporary materials relating to the death of Lord Nelson

Handwritten and unpublished poem ‘An address to England on Nelson’s death’ by the celebrated poet William Thomas Fitzgerald, also featuring his signature, dated 7 November 1805

Bound booklet ‘Victory in Tears; or, the Shade of Nelson. A Tribute to the Memory of that Immortal Hero, who fell in the Battle of Trafalgar, October 21, 1805.’, printed in London, 1805, foxing, some damage to binding but still intact

A Stevengraph pure silk-woven picture depicting The Death of Nelson, a unique work of art, mounted on gray card frame, a single loose thread and some foxing and wear to card mount, but the picture itself is bright and free of any marks or stains

A print of The Death of Lord Nelson, published in London, 17 May 1815, in good clear condition

Three ballads composed on the subject of the victory at Trafalgar and Nelson’s death, composed by T. Dibdin, R. Sutherland and John Watlen, respectively, with the latter signed by John Watlen who was a former Royal Navy Officer, these music sheets with minor wear and some foxing, but in clear condition (7)

Transcription of Fitzgerald’s unpublished poem:

“While England beams one universal blaze, The faithful tribute of a nation’s praise!
For naval deeds achiev’d of high renown, And honors added to the British Crown,
Is there a Briton’s heart that does not beat, At Nelson’s Triumph, and the Foe’s defeat?
However poor, he shares the generous flame, And glows exulting at the Hero’s name.
Immortal Nelson! - here my throbbing heart, Swelling with sorrow, acts no borrow’d part -
May I not say, I say it with a tear, That with his death, the Triumph's bought too dear?
But who can murmer? Glorious was his doom, The Heart of ev’ry Briton is his tomb!
The nation’s favorite, and his Sovereign's pride
He [?] despotic Lord of Ocean’s Tide!
Each was’t remember’d for some deed of fame, Was made illustrious by Great Nelson’s name.
Denmark, Iberia, Egypt’s trophied shore, Heard the dread thunder of his cannon’s roar;
While Laurels won from every hostile fleet, He laid in triumph, at his Monarch’s feet:
And History ever shall record the day, Bright with his glory! in Trafalgar’s Bay.
In torrid Chimes, where nature pants for rebirth[?], Or tainted gales bring pestilence and death;
Where hurricanes are born, and whirlwinds sweep the raging billow of th’ Atlantic deep,
Nelson had fought, but long had sought in vain, The still reheating fleets of France and Spain:
When found at last, he crush’d them on the flood, and seal’d the awful conquest with the blood!
Yet as he liv’d, so did the Hero fall - Crouch’d at his feet, he saw the humble Gaul;
Saw hostile navies into ruins hurl’d, and England’s [?] rule the waiting world?
Then did He -laurel crown’d and wrapt in fire, Up borne on Victory’s outstretched wings, expire!!-
Suspended be the shouts that rend the skies - England’s triumphant! - but her Nelson dies.
A grateful Nation mourns her hero dead, And dews with tears the laurels on his dead;
Laurels for ever green! For ever new! Bequeath’d with Nelson’s dying breath - to you.”


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

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