"Written on board the Berwick, a few days before Admiral Parker's
engagement with the Dutch fleet, on the 5th of August, 1781. By DR.
TROTTER.
"'Tis sung on proud Olympus' hill
The Muses bear record,
Ere half the gods had drank their fill
The sacred nectar sour'd.
"At Neptune's toast the bumper stood,
Britannia crown'd the cup;
A thousand Nereids from the flood
Attend to serve it up.
"'This nauseous juice,' the monarch cries,
'Thou darling child of fame,
Tho' it each earthly clime denies,
Shall never bathe thy name.
"'Ye azure tribes that rule the sea,
And rise at my command,
Bid _Vernon_ mix a draught for me
To toast his native land.'
"Swift o'er the waves the Nereids flew,
Where _Vernon's_ flag appear'd;
Around the shores they sung 'True Blue,'
And Britain's hero cheer'd.
"A mighty bowl on deck he drew,
And filled it to the brink;
Such drank the Burford's[2] gallant crew,
And such the gods shall drink.
"The sacred robe which Vernon wore
Was drenched within the same;
And hence his virtues guard our shore,
And _Grog_ derives its name."