The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton, Vol. I. | Page 5

my dear friend, that Lady A. is as damned a w---- as ever lived, and Mrs. W---- is a bawd! Mrs. U---- a foolish pimp; eat up with pride, that a P---- will condescend to put her to expence. Only do as I do; and all will be well, and you will be every thing I wish.
I thank you for your kindness to poor dear Mrs. Thomson. I send her a note; as desired by her dear good friend, who doats on her.
I send you a few Lines, wrote in the late gale; which, I think, you will not disapprove.
How interesting your letters are! You cannot write too much, or be too particular.
* * * * *
Though ----'s polish'd verse superior shine, Though sensibility grace every line; Though her soft Muse be far above all praise. And female tenderness inspire her lays:
Deign to receive, though unadorn'd By the poetic art, The rude expressions which bespeak A Sailor's untaught heart!
A heart susceptible, sincere, and true; A heart, by fate, and nature, torn in two: One half, to duty and his country due; The other, better half, to love and you!
Sooner shall Britain's sons resign The empire of the sea; Than Henry shall renounce his faith, AND PLIGHTED VOWS, TO THEE!
And waves on wares shall cease to roll, And tides forget to flow; Ere thy true Henry's constant love, Or ebb, or change, shall know.
The weather, thank God, is moderating.
I have just got a letter from the new Earl at the Admiralty, full of compliments. But nothing shall stop my law-suit, and I hope to cast him.
I trust, when I get to Spithead, there will be no difficulty in getting leave of absence.
The letters on service are so numerous, from three days interruption of the post, that I must conclude with assuring you, that I am, for ever, your attached, and unalterably your's,
NELSON & BRONTE.
I shall begin a letter at night.

LETTER XI.
[March 1801.]
You say, my Dearest Friend, why don't I put my Chief forward? He has put me in the front of the battle, and Nelson will be first. I could say more; but will not make you uneasy, knowing the firm friendship you have for me.
The St. George will stamp an additional ray of glory to England's fame, if Nelson survives; and that Almighty Providence, who has hitherto protected me in all dangers, and covered my head in the day of battle, will still, if it be his pleasure, support and assist me.
Keep me alive, in your and Sir William's remembrance. My last thoughts will be with you both, for you love and esteem me. I judge your hearts by my own.
May the Great God of Heaven protect and bless you and him! is the fervent prayer of your and Sir William's unalterable friend, till death.

LETTER XII.
Friday Night, Nine o'Clock. St. George. [March 1801.]
Having, my truly Dearest Friend, got through a great deal of business, I am enabled to do justice to my private feelings; which are fixed, ever, on you, and about you, whenever the public service does not arrest my attention.
I have read all, all, your kind and affectionate letters: and have read them frequently over; and committed them to the flames, much against my inclination. There was one I rejoiced not to have read at the time. It was, where you consented to dine and sing with * * * *. Thank God, it was not so! I could not have borne it; and, now, less than ever. But, I now know, he never can dine with you; for, you would go out of the house sooner than suffer it: and, as to letting him hear you sing, I only hope he will be struck deaf, and you dumb, sooner than such a thing should happen! But, I know, it never now can.
You cannot think how my feelings are alive towards you; probably, more than ever: and they never can be diminished. My hearty endeavours shall not be wanting, to improve and to give US NEW ties of regard and affection.
I have seen, and talked much with, Mrs. Thomson's friend. The fellow seems to eat all my words, when I talk of her and his child! He says, he never can forget your goodness and kind affection to her and his dear, dear child. I have had, you know, the felicity of seeing it, and a finer child never was produced by any two persons. It was, in truth, a love-begotten child! I am determined to keep him on board; for, I know, if they got together, they would soon have another. But, after our two months trip, I hope, they will never be separated; and, then, let them do as they please.
We are all bustle and activity. I shall sail, on Monday, after your letter arrives. Troubridge