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The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson-Part2_Robert Southey(1774-1843)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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reverie, in which I almost wished myself overboard, a sudden glow of

patriotism was kindled within me, and presented my king and country as



my patron. 'Well then,' I exclaimed, 'I will be a hero! and, confiding

in Providence, I will brave every danger!'"



Long afterwards Nelson loved to speak of the feelings of that moment;

and from that time, he often said, a radiant orb was suspended in his



mind's eye, which urged him onward to renown. The state of mind in which

these feelings began, is what the mystics mean by their season of



darkness and desertion. If the animal spirits fail, they represent it as

an actualtemptation. The enthusiasm of Nelson's nature had taken a



different direction, but its essence was the same. He knew to what the

previous state of dejection was to be attributed; that an enfeebled



body, and a mind depressed, had cast this shade over his soul; but he

always seemed willing to believe that the sunshine which succeeded bore



with it a prophetic glory, and that the light which led him on was

"light from heaven."



His interest, however, was far better than he imagined, During his

absence, Captain Suckling had been made Comptroller of the Navy; his



health had materially improved upon the voyage; and as soon as the

DOLPHIN was paid off, he was appointed actinglieutenant in the



WORCESTER, sixty-four, Captain Mark Robinson, then going out with convoy

to Gibraltar. Soon after his return, on the 8th of April 1777, he passed



his examination for a lieutenancy. Captain Suckling sat at the head of

the board; and when the examination had ended, in a manner highly



honourable to Nelson, rose from his seat, and introduced him to the

examining captains as his nephew. They expressed their wonder that he



had not informed them of this relationship before; he replied that he

did not wish the younker to be favoured; he knew his nephew would pass a



good examination, and he had not been deceived. The next day Nelson

received his commission as second lieutenant of the LOWESTOFFE frigate,



Captain William Locker, then fitting out for Jamaica.

American and French privateers, under American colours, were at that



time harassing our trade in the West Indies: even a frigate was not

sufficiently active for Nelson, and he repeatedly got appointed to the



command of one of the LOWESTOFFE's tenders. During one of their cruises

the LOWESTOFFE captured an American letter-of-marque: it was blowing a



gale, and a heavy sea running. The first lieutenant being ordered to

board the prize, went below to put on his hanger. It happened to be



mislaid; and while he was seeking it, Captain Locker came on deck.

Perceiving the boat still alongside, and in danger every moment of being



swamped, and being extremelyanxious that the privateer should be

instantly taken in charge, because he feared that It would otherwise



founder, he exclaimed, "Have I no officer in the ship who can board the

prize?" Nelson did not offer himself immediately, waiting, with his



usual sense of propriety, for the first lieutenant's return; but hearing

the master volunteer, he jumped into the boat, saying, "It is my turn



now; and if I come back, it is yours." The American, who had carried a

heavy press of sail in hope of escaping, was so completely water-logged



that the LOWESTOFFE's boat went in on deck and out again with the sea

About this time he lost his uncle. Captain Locker, however, who had



perceived the excellent qualities of Nelson, and formed a friendship for

him which continued during his life, recommended him warmly to Sir Peter



Parker, then commander-in-chief upon that station. In consequence of

this recommendation he was removed into the BRISTOL flag-ship, and Lieu-



tenant Cuthbert Collingwood succeeded him in the LOWESTOFFE. Sir Peter

Parker was the friend of both, and thus it happened that whenever Nelson



got a step in rank, Collingwood succeeded him. The former soon became

first lieutenant, and on the 8th of December 1778 was appointed



commander of the BADGER brig; Collingwood taking his place in the

BRISTOL. While the BADGER was lying in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the GLASGOW



of twenty guns came in and anchored there, and in two hours was in




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