The Sailor's Ramble.

 

                 This poem was found on a manuscript in William Sharp's copy of Sir Richard Worsley's History of the Isle of Wight. William Sharp, Junior, published his poem, ‘A Rumble from Newport to Cowes’, in 1736 and another ,’Sincerity’ in 1763. The Rumble was reprinted in, or about, 1782 and he also published  ‘An Oration on the Secular Anniversary of the Revolution’ given in Newport, in 1789. Sir Richard published his History in 1781 and William Sharp's copy also contained a letter from  Sir Richard to Sharp requesting that he did not oppose him in the forthcoming election.   

 

                The Sailor's Ramble in the Isle of Wight addressed to the Maid of Shanklin Chine.
 
 
                                   To Vecta`s  fair Isle, by its sweet scene invited,
                                       
                                         A sailor scarce safe from the bounties loud thunder,
 
                                  O`er hill and o`er valley now rambled delighted,
 
                                        Lost in wild admiration, amazement and wonder
 
                                   From the height when the monk paid his maker`s devotion,
  
                                         To Catherine, the Sainted Protectress of mountains,
  
                                 He surveyed all the broadness of land and of ocean
  
                                        Fleets, harbours, towns, villas, woods, meadows and fountains.
  
  
                                The attic 1 Sir Richard 2 in language pedantic
  
                                       Brag of Pelas, of Chios and airy Egina.
  
                                 Let me visit  Steephill and that villa 3 romantic,
  
                                         Or pen rustic lays on the Counties of Medina.
  
                                  Medina whose streamlet so modestly wanders,
  
                                         ‘Twixt Pidford and Gatcombe in labyrinths creeping
  
                                  and steals into Newport in silent meanders.
  
                                         When religion neglected - religion sits weeping.
  
  
                                The bard flies indignant from discord of Dalton 4 
  
                                         To  Quarr`s Holey`d ruin and drab gothic towers,
 
                                Or lingers at Wootton with innocent Walton 5,
 
Or wanders in Appleley`s disconsolate bowers. 6
  
    He`s 7 gone, the lov`d friend, to his cold tomb, he slumbers.
  
                                          He`s fallen like his Montague, cover`d with glory
  
                                 And deathless his name for the muse in sweet numbers
 
                                           To ages unborn shall relate the bright story.
 
 
                                 What interchange charming, of wood, lake and water,
 
                                           Of distant tower ramparts and battlement rude,
 
                                  Of fleets half dismantled by wars savage slaughter,
  
                                           When the frighted Atlantic was cover`d in blood.
 
                                 All hail ye proud bulwarks with flags gaily streaming.
 
                                           Hail squadrons triumphant and heroes victorious
 
                                  And hail gallant Nelson whose courage bright beaming,
  
                                          Led on thy brave comrades to conquer, to glory.
  
  
  
                                 How lovely are Fairy Hill`s 8  quiet mosses
 
                                             And Nun`s 9 worth gray oaks of her ancient domain.
  
                                 But lovelier than fields, which chaste Phillida 10 kisses,
  
                                           When taste, with her sister simplicity, reigns
  
                                  And lovelier still and sweet beyond measure
  
                                            To the village 11 where beauty and terror invites us
  
                                   Where the chine fills the wind both with horror and pleasure
  
                                          Where hill, wood and wave, brook and hamlet delighted us.
  
  
                                   But `tis not the wave, nor the brook, nor the village
  
                                            Nor the elms that embosom the Vicar`s snug dwelling,
  
                                   Nor the hills with white sheep, nor the fields all in tillage,
  
                                             Nor the  chine  picturesque, nor the tide greatly swelling
  
                                 O no `tis the choicest production of nature.
  
                          Last and best of God`s gifts sent to solace mans` sorrows 
 
                                                                    
                                 So bewitching so modest so charming a creature 12 
  
                                           I could gaze all today, I could sigh all tomorrow
  
                                O blush not my Rosie, at an honest tar`s rapture
  
                                          Who loves, tho` a   stranger to loves tender lingo
  
                                                And if  I could win thee, could think thee a capture
  
                                Superior to all the rich fleets of  Domingo
  
                                          But hark, the loud guns give the signal for sailing.
  
                                Farewell then to wooing and amorous practice,
  
                                          Yet accept gentle maiden this sigh unavailing.
 
                               I go, `tis my country that calls me to battle.

  

1 . Attic. i.e from the Greek  state, Attica and the capital Athens, later used to imply Athenian 
 
  characteristics i.e. pure, classical and refined.   
 
2.  Sir Richard. Worsley`s  Appuldurcombe.
  
3. The Earl of Dysart’s Steephill ‘Cottage’
  
                 4. Thomas Dalton, Rector of Northwood and Carisbrooke.
 
            5.  Richard Walton, Rector of Wootton.
  
            6. Appley, the residence of Rev.d Dr Walker.
  
           7.  Capt. Hist, a  nephew of Dr Walker.
  
           8. Fairy Hill, residence of  Rev.d. H. Oglander.
  
          9.. Nunwell, seat of  Sir William. Oglander.
  
         10.  Miss Wilkes.
  
         11..Shanklin.
  
        12.  Miss. Jolliffe

  

Reproduced with the kind permission of Derrick Nearn , Heritage Books, Cross Street, Ryde

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