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The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson-Part15_Robert Southey(1774-1843)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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of bringing it away, occasioned fresh agony. He had scarcely any

intermission of pain, day or night, for three months after his return to



England. Lady Nelson, at his earnest request, attended the dressing of

his arm, till she had acquired sufficient resolution and skill to dress



it herself. One night, during this state of suffering, after a day of

constant pain, Nelson retired early to bed, in hope of enloymg some



respite by means of laudanum. He was at that time lodging in Bond

Street, and the family were soon disturbed by a mob knocking loudly and



violently at the door. The news of Duncan's victory had been made

public, and the house was not illuminated. But when the mob were told



that Admiral Nelson lay there in bed, badly wounded, the foremost of

them made answer: "You shall hear no more from us to-night:" and in



fact, the feeling of respect and sympathy was communicated from one to

another with such effect that, under the confusion of such a night, the



house was not molested again.

About the end of November, after a night of sound sleep, he found the



arm nearly free from pain. The surgeon was immediately sent for to

examine it; and the ligature came away with the slightest touch. From



that time it began to heal. As soon as he thought his health

established, he sent the following form of thanksgiving to the minister



of St. George's, Hanover Square:--"An officer desires to return thanks

to Almighty God for his perfect recovery from a severe wound, and also



for the many mercies bestowed on him."

Not having been in England till now, since he lost his eye, he went



to receive a year's pay as smart money; but could not obtain payment,

because he had neglected to bring a certificate from a surgeon that the



sight was actually destroyed. A little irritated that this form should

be insisted upon, because, though the fact was not apparent, he thought



it was sufficientlynotorious, he procured a certificate at the same

time for the loss of his arm; saying, they might just as well doubt one



as the other. This put him in good humour with himself, and with the

clerk who had offended him. On his return to the office, the clerk,



finding it was only the annual pay of a captain, observed, he thought it

had been more. "Oh!" replied Nelson,"this is only for an eye. In a few



days I shall come for an arm; and in a little time longer, God knows,

most probably for a leg." Accordingly he soon afterwards went, and with



perfect good humour exhibited the certificate of the loss of his arm.

CHAPTER V



1798

Nelson rejoins Earl St. Vincent in the VANGUARD--Sails in Pursuit of



the French in Egypt--Returns to Sicily, and sails again to Egypt--

Battle of the Nile.



*

EARLY in the year 1798, Sir Horatio Nelson hoisted his flag in the



VANGUARD, and was ordered to rejoin Earl St. Vincent. Upon his

departure, his father addressed him with that affectionate solemnity by



which all his letters were distinguished. "I trust in the Lord," said

he, "that He will prosper your going out and your coming in. I earnestly



desired once more to see you, and that wish has been heard. If I should

presume to say, I hope to see you again, the question would be readily



asked, How old art thou? VALE! VALE! DOMINE, VALE!" It is said that a

gloomy foreboding hung on the spirits of Lady Nelson at their parting.



This could have arisen only from the dread of losing him by the chance

of war. Any apprehension of losing his affections could hardly have



existed, for all his correspondence to this time shows that he thought

himself happy in his marriage; and his private character had hitherto



been as spotless as his public conduct. One of the last things he said

to her was, that his own ambition was satisfied, but that he went to



raise her to that rank in which he had long wished to see her.

Immediately on his rejoining the fleet, he was despatched to the



Mediterranean with a small squadron, in order to ascertain, if possible,

the object of the great expedition which at that time was fitting out






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