Upon one foot he had one boot, And t' other in his hand, sir. "Arise, arise!" Sir Erskine cries; "The rebels, more 's the pity, Without a boat are all afloat And rang'd before the city. "The motley crew, in vessels new, "Therefore prepare for bloody war: These kegs must all be routed, Or surely we despis'd shall be, And British courage doubted." The royal band now ready stand, All ranged in dread array, sir, With stomachs stout, to see it out, And make a bloody day, sir. 35 330 30 25 The cannons roar from shore to shore, Ere saw so strange a battle. The rebel dales, the rebel vales, With rebel trees surrounded, The distant woods, the hills and floods, With rebel echoes sounded. The fish below swam to and fro, Attack'd from every quarter: "Why sure," thought they, "the devil's to pay 'T is New-Year's morn; why should we part? 5 Why not enjoy what Heaven has sent us? Let friends and mirth and wine content us. War's rude alarms disturb'd last year; Our country bled and wept around us: But this each honest heart shall cheer, And peace and plenty shall surround us. Last year King Congo, through the land, Display'd his thirteen stripes to fright us; But George's power, in Clinton's hand, In this New-Year shall surely right us. ΤΟ 15 Last year saw many honest men Torn from each dear and sweet connection; But this shall see them home again, And happy in their King's protection. Last year vain Frenchmen brav'd our coasts, Last year rebellion proudly stood, But this shall quench her pride in blood: Then bring us wine, full bumpers bring; God bless great GEORGE, our gracious King, FROM THE AMERICAN TIMES (BY JONATHAN ODELL?) Hear thy indictment, Washington, at large; Thou hast supported an atrocious cause 1779. Against thy King, thy Country, and the laws; Committed perjury, encourag'd lies, 5 Forced conscience, broken the most sacred ties; Myriads of wives and fathers at thy hand Their slaughter'd husbands, slaughter'd sons demand; That towns are desolate, all, all is thine; ΙΟ The frequent sacrilege that pain'd my sight, Wilt thou pretend that Britain is in fault? 15 25 330 20 To say such deeds are foreign to thy mind? Who guards M'Kean and Joseph Reed the vile, Help'd he not murder Roberts and Carlisle ? In all their shocking cruelties must share. 20 25 What could, when half-way up the hill to fame, That prompted thee with Congress to unite? Seek with thy cursed crew the central gloom, 30 35 1780. HUGH H. BRACKENRIDGE FROM THE BATTLE OF BUNKERS-HILL ACT V. SCENE I Bunkers-Hill. Warren with the American Army. Warren. To arms, brave countrymen! for see, the foe Comes forth to battle, and would seem to try |