Admiral Matthews' Engagement against the Combined Fleets of France and Spain

Brave Admiral Matthews has been on the main,
With a true British heart, against France and Spain ;
Resolving to fight for old England once more,
And make them knock under before he gives o'er ;
For there never was such a bold fleet, as they say,
Sent out by Old England this many a day.

He had not long been on the sea, it is true,
Before [that] in sight there appear'd in his view
Twenty-eight sail of the French and proud Spain,
Who swiftly w[ere] sailing along the salt main.
Then he cry'd, ' My brave boys, look, see how they ride !
I hope in small time we shall soon cool their pride.'

We hoisted our sails, and away then we went,
With our guns all ready, and hearts likewise bent,
Until that we come to the view of them all ;
Then strait our brave admiral unto us did call,
At the word of command to make ready with speed,
'For I think the proud Dons will fight us indeed.'

But the wind prov'd contrary, we could not pursue,
Altho' that we had them so full in our view ;
And for to deceive us they did lay in wait,
Thinking we should follow them up to the Straits :
Though our good God was pleas'd to alter the wind,
Yet fortune unto us it proved unkind.

There is an old proverb I've lately thought on,
'When you think of a friend you're sure to find none';
For when that I thought to see Lestock come by,
He was five miles a distance, and would not come nigh;
But for all that misfortune, we never could start,
We pursued after them with a true British heart.

A mile's distance next day, they at us did fire,
But in half an hour we to them drew nigher,
Until that we came within pistol-shot,
Then we did let fly; and why should we not?
As we sent 'em one broadside, another did come,
Which made our cannons [to] play, bomb ! bomb !

Our admiral then took his glass in his hand,
To espy what he could, as you shall understand ;
A double shot came unto him so nigh,
That it took off the place where his arm did lye.
But for that misfortune, and all that foul play,
He held 'em six hours in hot battle that day.

The night being come, they straightway gave o'er,
And went off with their cripples; we see 'em no more.
But now that the war is proclaim'd against France,
When we see them again we'll make 'em to prance ;
And if ever they into our presence do come,
We'll make our cannons play ' Britons, strike home.'

Then straightway we left them in grief to complain,
Whilst we are carousing along the salt main.
Pray God bless our fleet, and his Majesty too,
And grant them success wherever they go.
Concluding as this, and my song to end,
In Matthews' brave ship these verses were penn'd.