 | A collection of poems |  |
A full and true Account of how the lamentable wicked French and Indian Pirates were taken by the valient English Men.
Good people all, pray understand
my doleful song of woe:
It tells a thing done lately, and
not very long ago.
my doleful song of woe:
It tells a thing done lately, and
not very long ago.
How French-men, Indians eke, a troop,
(who all had drunk their cogues)
They went to take an English sloop:
O the sad pack of rogues!
(who all had drunk their cogues)
They went to take an English sloop:
O the sad pack of rogues!
The English made their party good,
each was a jolly lad:
The Indians run away for blood,
and strove to hide like mad.
each was a jolly lad:
The Indians run away for blood,
and strove to hide like mad.
29
Three of the fellows in a fright,
(that is to say in fears)
Leaping into the sea out-right,
sows'd over head and ears.
(that is to say in fears)
Leaping into the sea out-right,
sows'd over head and ears.
They on the waves in woful wise,
to swim did make a strife,
[So in a pond a kitten cries,
and dabbles for his life;
to swim did make a strife,
[So in a pond a kitten cries,
and dabbles for his life;
While boys about the border scud,
with brick-bats and with stones;
Still dowse him deeper in the mud;
and break his little bones.]
with brick-bats and with stones;
Still dowse him deeper in the mud;
and break his little bones.]
What came of them we cannot tell,
though many things are said:
But this, besure, we know full well,
if they were drown'd, they're dead.
though many things are said:
But this, besure, we know full well,
if they were drown'd, they're dead.
Our men did neither cry nor squeek;
but fought like any sprites:
And this I to the honour speak
of them, the valiant wights!
but fought like any sprites:
And this I to the honour speak
of them, the valiant wights!
O did I not the talent lack,
of 'thaniel Whittemore;
Up to the stars—i' th' almanack,
I'd cause their fame to soar.
of 'thaniel Whittemore;
Up to the stars—i' th' almanack,
I'd cause their fame to soar.
30
Or could I sing like father French,
so clever and so high;
Their names should last like oaken bench,
to perpetuity.
so clever and so high;
Their names should last like oaken bench,
to perpetuity.
How many pris'ners in they drew,
say, spirit of Tom Law!
Two French-men, and papooses two,
three sannops, and a squaw.
say, spirit of Tom Law!
Two French-men, and papooses two,
three sannops, and a squaw.
The squaw, and the papooses, they
are to be left alive:
Two French, three Indian men must die:
which makes exactly five.
are to be left alive:
Two French, three Indian men must die:
which makes exactly five.
[Thus cypher, Sirs, you see I can,
and eke make poetry:
In common-wealth, sure such a man,
how useful must he be!]
and eke make poetry:
In common-wealth, sure such a man,
how useful must he be!]
The men were all condemn'd, and try'd,
and one might almost say,
They'l or be hang'd, or be repriev'd,
or else they'l run away.
and one might almost say,
They'l or be hang'd, or be repriev'd,
or else they'l run away.
Fair Maidens, now see-saw, and wail,
and sing in doleful dumps;
And eke, ye lusty lubys all,
arise, and stir your stumps.
and sing in doleful dumps;
And eke, ye lusty lubys all,
arise, and stir your stumps.
31
This precious po'm shall sure be read,
in ev'ry town, I tro:
In ev'ry chimney corner said,
to Portsmouth, Boston fro.
in ev'ry town, I tro:
In ev'ry chimney corner said,
to Portsmouth, Boston fro.
And little children when they cry,
this ditty shall beguile;
And tho' they pout, and sob, and sigh,
shall hear, and hush, and smile.
this ditty shall beguile;
And tho' they pout, and sob, and sigh,
shall hear, and hush, and smile.
The pretty picture too likewise,
a-top looks well enough;
Tho' nothing to the purpose 'tis,
'twill serve to set it off.
a-top looks well enough;
Tho' nothing to the purpose 'tis,
'twill serve to set it off.
The poet will be glad, no doubt,
when all his verse shall say,
Each boy, and girl, and lass, and lout,
for ever, and for aye.
when all his verse shall say,
Each boy, and girl, and lass, and lout,
for ever, and for aye.
| A collection of poems | |