Major-General James Wolfe (1727-1759)
Conqueror of Quebec
James wolf was born and lived in Greenwich with his parents in Macartney House (private residence) next to Ranger's House on Chesterfield Walk. A blue plaque can be found on the house.
Statue of Major-General James Wolfe stands outside the Old Royal Observatory at Greenwich. Bronze statue made by Robert Tait McKenzie. A gift from the people of Canada in 1930. The statue was high by a V1 bomb during World World II - the base stills carries the scar.
From: The Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774)
STANZAS
on the taking of Quebec, and the death of General Wolfe
First printed in the Busy Body for 22nd October 1759
Amidst the clamour of exulting joys,
Which triumph forces from the patriot heart;
Grief dares to mingle her soul-piercing voice,
And quells the raptures which from pleasures start.
O Wolfe! to thee a streaming flood of woe,
Sighing we pay, and think een conquest dear;
Quebec in vain shall teach our breast to glow,
Whilst thy sad fate extorts the heart-wrung tear,
Alive, the foe thy dreadful vigour fled,
And saw thee fall with joy-pronouncing eyes:
Yet they shall know thou conquerest, though dead!
Since from thy tomb a thousand heroes rise.
Thank you for visiting!
Can't find what you're looking for?
Try our Contents Index page or our site Search Engine
Netscape Navigator 3features used on this site
developed this web-site & can develop yours
© 1996 - Greenwich2000" - Page last updated : October 07, 1996 20:01 GMT