University of Virginia Library

THE MILITARY GLORY OF GREAT-BRITAIN,

AN ENTERTAINMENT, GIVEN BY THE LATE CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR'S DEGREE, AT THE CLOSE OF THE ANNIVERSARY COMMENCEMENT, HELD IN NASSAU-HALL NEW-JERSEY

Triumphant Fame ascend the Skies,
Ever glorying in our Isle,
Loud proclaim o'er distant Realms
How British Power, and British Glory rise.

Enter first Speaker; proclaiming Britannia Conqueror, by Way of Introduction to the next Speech.

Enter second Speaker; who enumerates several of the most important Conquests of Great-Britain, with Encomiums on some of the principal Generals.

Enter Eugenio; who, by Way of Dialogue with Cleander, gives an Account of the Reduction of the Havanna.
Eugenio.
Hast thou not heard Cleander, of the Deeds
So late performed by Albemarle? These, sure
Methinks demand their equal Tribute
Of Commendation; such as thou canst give.

Cleander.
I have Eugenio; nor has Gratitude
To HIM who rules omnipotent the World
For such amazing Fortune of our Arms,
Been wanting to my Breast; But yet the Theme
Seem'd worthy of a more exalted Muse;
A Muse like thine, enobled by the Love
Of British Freedom, and of British Fame.
Wherefore without Reluctance bear thy Part
In such illustrious Praise.

Eugenio
In Britain's Praises who can be reluctant?
Whilst I have Lungs to heave, a Tongue to speak,
I'll not be wanting to my Country's Cause.
Here, Silence would be base Ingratitude;
Nay, more, Rebellion.

Cleander.
But say, Eugenio, how that warlike Youth,
Such glorious Conquest gained.

Eugenio
Greater the Toil, the greater Weight of Glory.
No easy Effort gains the Alpine Summits,
Secured by rugged Dangers; high enclosed
In cliffy Bulwarks; each its' Towring Head
In Clouds invelop'd, inaccessible,
Full forty Days beneath the stormy Brow.
Of Moro-Castle mov'd the British Troops,
With various Art, and regular Approach
Working Destruction and sure Victory.
From Batteries on every Side erect,
The mounted Engines poured incessantly
Against her strong built Walls their iron Force;
Thick Showers of Bombs implete with nitrous Death,
Rain'd on their Heads defenceless, which forthwith,
Bursting, disploded Ruin; every Art,
Which military Prudence pointed out,
Or Valour might perfect, was tried:
But still the Foe with stubborn Pride resist;
Still, reinforced, guard their batter'd Walls
From close Assault; and, often sallying forth,
Would check the approaching Siege; as oft repuls'd.
At length ensues a Breach; their Arms appear;
And all their mighty Secrets are reveal'd.
Again, the cavern'd Ground beneath their Feet,
With Grain sulphurious stor'd, by sudden Blaze,
Bursts ruinous; up fly the Hopes of War,
In smoky Whirls involv'd; th' uprooted Wall,
A larger Chasm displays; the Fosse, fill'd up
With shiver'd Rubbish, gives a fairer Entrance,
And seems t'invite the meditated Storm.
Then had you seen, Cleander, all the Fire
Of British War, enflam'd by fierce Revenge.
As furious Lions press'd with hungry Rage
Leap roaring on the hopeless Prey; so rush'd
The ardent Victors; bloody Shouts ascend;
And Slaughter, Slaughter rends the vaulted Sky;
They kill; they conquer; Death in every Shape,
Confounds th' affrighted Foe; some in Dispair
His Fury tempt, while others shrink away,
And, trembling, merit an inglorious End.

Cleander.
A just Reward of Spanish Cruelty,
So late exerted, when their merc'less Hands,
At the first landing of our Arms, they drench'd
In captive British Blood.

Eugenio.
A just Reward Cleander. Nor here ceas'd
The vig'rous Effort; animated now
With recent Conquest, our Commanders brave
Press on to total Vict'ry. (Glorious Toils!
Well worthy of immortal Fame!) straightway,
With Force collected, and a martial Rage
E'en passing British, on th' unyielding Town
They turn the Charge decisive; and, at once,
Lend all the Thunders of their various War.
In vain the Foe resist; all Hope is fled;
Their Cannon faintly roar; the lab'ring Walls,
Fall piece-meal crumbling to the Ground: within
Reign grizly Horror, loud Laments, and Death.

Cleander.

Enter fourth Speaker; suddenly transported.

Enter fifth Speaker; who closes the whole with a solemn Wish, for the continued Prosperity of the British Nation.