I’ve never really understood what these ‘Saint’ days are all about. But, seeing as it is St George’s Day – in which we English purport to celebrate a Turkish soldier killing an imaginary dragon in Libya roughly two millennia ago – I thought I’d share an anecdote that is stonkingly patriotic even by Nelson’s standards.
Upon receiving a tip-off regarding the whereabouts of the enemy fleet in April, 1801, Nelson hopped aboard the nearest small boat and went out into the night looking for trouble. After six hours of aimless searching, rowing into the Baltic wind, a sailor offered Nelson his cloak:
‘No,’ replied Nelson. ‘I am not cold; my anxiety for my country will keep me warm.’
The story was slightly reworked for the excellent 2003 film, Master & Commander. In the movie, fictional captain Jack Aubrey tells the above anecdote at the dinner table. In his version, Nelson says that his ‘zeal for king and country kept him warm’, rather than his ‘anxiety’.
I prefer Nelson’s actual words to the line in the film, but I do love how Aubrey then adds:
‘I know it sounds absurd. And were it from another man, you’d cry out “Oh, what pitiful stuff”, and dismiss it as mere enthusiasm. But with Nelson, you felt your heart glow.’
Still, it’s not as good as slaying a dragon that didn’t exist… Happy St George’s Day to those who celebrate.
Anybody?
Nelson The Sailor 