The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton Volume Ii Part 11

EMMA TO NELSON.

I think, I have not lost my heart; Since I, with truth, can swear, At every moment of my life, I feel my Nelson there!

If, from thine Emma's breast, her heart Were stolen or flown away; Where! where! should she my Nelson's love Record, each happy day?

If, from thine Emma's breast, her heart Were stolen or flown away; Where! where! should she engrave, my Love!

Each tender word you say?

Where! where! should Emma treasure up Her Nelson's smiles and sighs?

Where mark, with joy, each secret look Of love, from Nelson's eyes?

Then, do not rob me of my heart, Unless you first forsake it; And, then, so wretched it would be, Despair alone will take it.

Letter

from

Lady Hamilton

TO THE

RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON,

NOW

VISCOUNT SIDMOUTH.

Letter of Lady Hamilton, &c.

April 13th. [1803.]

SIR,

May I trouble you, and but for a moment, in consequence of my irreparable loss; my ever-honoured husband, Sir William Hamilton, being no more! I cannot avoid it, I am forced to pet.i.tion for a portion of his pension: such a portion as, in your wisdom and n.o.ble nature, may be approved; and so represented to our most gracious Sovereign, as being right. For, Sir, I am most sadly bereaved! I am now in circ.u.mstances far below those in which the goodness of my dear Sir William allowed me to move for so many years; and below those becoming the relict of such a public minister, who was proved so very long--no less than thirty-six years--and, all his life, honoured so very much by the constant friendly kindness of the King and Queen themselves: and, may I mention--what is well known to the then administration at home--how I, too, strove to do all I could towards the service of our King and Country. The fleet itself, I can truly say, could not have got into _Sicily_, but for what I was happily able to do with the Queen of Naples, and through her secret instructions so obtained: on which depended the refitting of the fleet in Sicily; and, with that, all which followed so gloriously at the Nile. These few words, though seemingly much at large, may not be extravagant at all.

They are, indeed, true. I wish them to be heard, only as they can be proved; and, being proved, may I hope for what I have now desired?

I am, Sir, with respect more than I can well utter, your obedient servant,

EMMA HAMILTON.

Letters

FROM

SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B.

TO

LADY HAMILTON.

Letters OF SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B. _&c._

I.

Persano, [Wednesday]

Jan. 4, 1792.

We arrived here, yesterday, in little more than five hours, and had nearly began with a disagreeable accident; for the King's horse took fright at the guard, and his Majesty and horse were as near down as possible. However, all ended well; and he was as gay as possible, yesterday.

Our first _cha.s.se_ has not succeeded; though there were two wolves, and many wild boars, in the _Mena_: but the king would direct how we should beat the wood, and began at the wrong end; by which the wolves and boars escaped, and we remained without shooting power. However, ten or twelve boars have been killed, some how or other, and some large ones.

The King's face is very long, at this moment; but, I dare say, to-morrow's good sport will shorten it again.

I was sorry, my dear Em. to leave you in affliction: you must harden yourself to such little misfortunes as a temporary parting; but, I cannot blame you for having a good and tender heart. Believe me, you are in thorough possession of all mine, though I will allow it to be rather tough.

Let us study to make one another as comfortable as we can; and "_banish sorrow, till to-morrow_:" and so on, every day.

You are wise enough to see the line it is proper for you to take; and have, hitherto, followed it most rigorously: and I can a.s.sure you, that I have not the least doubt of your continuing in it.

Amuse yourself as well as you can, as I am doing, whilst we are separate; and the best news you can give me is, that you are well and happy.

My cold is already better for having pa.s.sed the whole day in the open air, and without human _seccatura_.

Adieu! my dear, dear Emma. I am, with my love to your good mother, your's ever, and faithfully,

W.H.