The Glorious Battle of Trafalgar music sheet signed by John Watlen 1807-1810

[NELSON, Admiral Horatio]; WATLEN, John. The Glorious Battle of Trafalgar, in Descriptive Music… an Elegy on the Death of Admiral Lord Nelson… respectfully dedicated to Admiral Lord Collingwood.
 
London, [c. 1807–1810].
 
Folio (c. 330 × 240 mm). Engraved title and 18 pp. of engraved music (19 pp. total). Disbound, evidently extracted from a larger bound volume. First blank creased with early pencil note; light toning and occasional spotting; margins a little worn with minor creasing; overall a clean, complete example in sound condition. Very good. 
 
A dramatic commemorative musical work celebrating the Battle of Trafalgar, issued a short time after the event. The title prominently quotes Nelson’s famous signal, “England expects that every man will do his duty,” and the score attempts to render the action musically, with sections depicting manoeuvres, signals, cannon fire, and the destruction of enemy ships, culminating in an elegy on Nelson’s death.
 
"The Victory close engaged, with two ships of the enemy
Cannons Cannons Cannons Cannons
 
Brave Collingwood the battle now is thine,
the hero's death revenged brave tars! o god the praise be thine!"
 
Composed by John Watlen, a musician with claimed naval experience (styled on the title as “formerly an officer on board the Defence”). It is signed by him at the conclusion (final page). A rarity signed by the composer.