64 MADEIRA METEOROLOGIC. PART v. 



spending his very latest days of life in versifying what- 

 ever of the great, or good, or true had been recorded in 

 the history of the little isle. 1 He could rejoice, too, in 

 truest sympathy with those around him who did rejoice 

 in their recovered health, and sing for them, after all the 

 other delights of the " Ocean Flower" residence had 

 been expatiated on 



" And sweetest far, when fell disease hath mocked 



At youthful toils for glory, fame, or wealth, 

 To feel new life, in gentlest cradle rocked, 



And o'er the cheek steal ruddier hues of health." 



1 The following is perhaps one of his happiest examples, in its decided 

 reproduction, of the chivalric sentiments of the best days of that noble little 

 nation living nearer to the west than all the rest of Continental Europe : 



"When great Camdens, warrior-bard, 



Beneath his gallant father's eye 

 Fought his first battle, straining hard 

 To earn the knightly spurs or die ; 

 Flashing sword 'neath plume high-tossing 

 With the Moor's alfangd crossing : 

 ' Where,' he said, * paternal valour 



Bids a son to victory rush, 

 Filial face o'erspread with pallor 

 Ne'er could make a father's blush !' 



"'Twas in Gibraltar's glorious strait, 



King John's engaged the Moorish fleet, 

 Camdens' father spurned at fate, 



His galley and the amiral's meet. 

 O'er the deck where death rained quickest, 

 Moorish marksman at the father 



Treacherous aimed a deadly ball ; 

 Rushed the son to perish, rather 



Then that honoured sire should fall ! 



