So, hearing that most of you rebels were dead, And over we scudded, our hearts full of glee, Our shoe-boys, and tars, and the very cook's mate Myself, the Don Quixote, and each of the crew, Like Sancho, had islands and empires in view They were captains and knights, and the devil knows who: But now, to our sorrow, disgrace, and surprise, No longer deceived by the Father of Lies,* We hear with our ears, and we see with our eyes: I have therefore to make you a modest request There are Eden, and Martin, and Franklin and Tryon, Though a brute and a dunce, like the rest of the clan, I missed it somehow in comparing my notes, Although with so many hard names I was branded, Give me lands, . . . . and dice, and you still may be free: If King or if Congress-no matter to me. I hope you will send me an answer straightway, For 'tis plain that at Charleston we cannot long stay- DUNMORE. CHARLESTON, 6 Jan., 1782. *The Printer of the Royal Gazette. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. [The Poems of Philip Freneau. 1786.-Poems Written During the Revolutionary War, etc. 3d Ed. 1809.] ON BARNEY'S VICTORY OVER THE SHIP "GENERAL MONK." VOL. III.-29 But, grown bold with long successes, Came to cruise within Cape May: Shall their men of commerce meet; "Lo! I see their van appearing Back our top-sails to the mast! With a gentle western blast: I've a list of all their cargoes, All their guns, and all their men: I am sure these modern Argo's "Yonder comes the Charming Sally Sailing with the General Greene First we'll fight the Hyder Ally, She intends to give us battle, Bearing down with all her sail- "Our eighteen guns, each a nine-pounder, We shall maul her, we shall wound her, Conquests that he could not gain, Captain Barney then preparing, Thus addressed his gallant crew: "Now, brave lads, be bold and daring, Let your hearts be firm and true; This is a proud English cruiser, We must fight her-must reduce her, "Let who will be the survivor, We must conquer or must die, We must take her up the river, Whate'er comes of you or I: Though she shows most formidable With her eighteen pointed nines, And her quarters clad in sable, Let us bauk her proud designs. "With four nine-pounders and twelve sixes, Then yard-arm and yard-arm meeting, Belched their smoky flames away; Swept the Monk, and cleared each round-top, Killed and wounded half her crew. Captain Rogers strove to rally His men from their quarters fled, While the roaring Hyder Ally Covered o'er his decks with dead. When from their tops their dead men tumbled, All aghast, and all confounded, They beheld their champions fall, Then the Monk's proud flag descended, By her crew no more defended, She confessed the contest o'er. |