The Downing legends : Stories in Rhyme :: :: University of Virginia Library

The parlous strife was scarce completed
Before a headlong rider came,
His rowels red, his courser heated,
His visage pale, his eyes a-flame,
Who touched his hat in salutation
And shouted, “Putnam sends me here
To tell you how the bulls of Bashan
Are charging round our flanks and rear.
From Canada Burgoyne is striding
To reach us through the Hudson way,
While other scarlet hordes are gliding
From Newport up Rhode Island Bay.
Nor pillage do they crave, nor slaughter;
They come with neither cord nor fire;
They only seek your gracious daughter
To hold in hostage for her sire.
For seers have told the king of Britain
That whilst your mighty arm is free,
The Lion shall be surely smitten,
And Yankees never bow the knee.”

Thereon the rider wheeled and hurried
Away o'er meadow, hill and dell,
While Downing straddled mare and scurried
To succor Shiloh ere it fell.