Here's to Nelson's Memory

A poem held in a blackwodden frame with a gold coloured trim. The poem has the title “HERE’S TO NELSON’S MEMORY!” printed in red while the H at the beginning is larger, coloured gold with a blue background. The poem reads ”T’IS THE SECOND TIME THAT, I, AT SEA, RIGHT OFF CAPE TRAFALGAR HERE, HAVE DRUNK IT DEEP IN BRITISH BEER, NELSON FOR EVER- ANY TIME, AM I HIS TO COMMAND IN PROSE OR RHYME! GIVE ME OF NELSON ONLY A TOUCH, AND I SAVE IT, BE IT LITTLE OR MUCH, HERE’S ONE OUR CAPTAIN GIVES, AND SO, DOWN AT THE WORD, BY GEORGE, SHALL IT GO! HE SAYS THAT AT GREENWICH, THEY POINT THE BEHOLDER, TO NELSON’S COAT, STILL WITH TAR ON THE SHOULDER, FOR HE USED TO LEAN WITH ONE SHOULDER DIGGING, JIGGING AS IT WERE, AND ZIG-ZAG-ZIGGING, UP AGAINST THE MIZEN RIGGING”. The poem is written by Robert Browning in 1838. The first letter on every line of the poem is red while the rest of the line is black.

Object Details

ID: AAB0490
Collection: Commemorative ephemera
Type: Poem
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Browning, Robert
Date made: 1838
People: Nelson, Horatio
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: 315 mm x 247 mm x 20 mm