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CANTO II.
This CANTO tells of Gov'nor Will
Being routed by Nat Bacon's Skill:
Of Stafford Folks with Treason sullied;
And Glo'ster Men from 'Leigiance bullied:
Here too, you'll find, to make you merry all,
Accounts of Bacon's Death and Burial.
Being routed by Nat Bacon's Skill:
Of Stafford Folks with Treason sullied;
And Glo'ster Men from 'Leigiance bullied:
Here too, you'll find, to make you merry all,
Accounts of Bacon's Death and Burial.
Next I describe t'you Bacon's Army,
You need not fear, they will not harm ye;
Altho' they were (whilst under Nat)
Like Kentish Rebels, led by Watt;
A thoughtless, giddy Multitude,
From Newgate, and from Bridewell spew'd,
As Straw, or Kett, or Wyat, rude,
B'ing Bullies, Ruffians, Debauchees,
Cheats, Gamesters, Pimps, and Raparees.
You need not fear, they will not harm ye;
Altho' they were (whilst under Nat)
Like Kentish Rebels, led by Watt;
A thoughtless, giddy Multitude,
From Newgate, and from Bridewell spew'd,
As Straw, or Kett, or Wyat, rude,
B'ing Bullies, Ruffians, Debauchees,
Cheats, Gamesters, Pimps, and Raparees.
WITH these undaunted mean Rascallions
Poor Shabberoon Tatterdemallions;
(The small Remains of those Battalions,)
Nat on the Frontiers turn'd a Drift,
Amongst the Planting Herd to shift;
Through pathless Woods his Way he made,
To turn the Town into Blockade;
Which Berkley, whom the Mob detested,
In Bacon's Absence had invested;
Transporting from the Eastern Shore
(T'augment the Force he had before)
Of Arms and Ammunition Store,
And Men, who fought for ready Pay,
Twelve Pence a Head, for ev'ry Day;
With Plunder of all that had taken
Rebellious Oath to Col'nel Bacon.
Poor Shabberoon Tatterdemallions;
(The small Remains of those Battalions,)
Nat on the Frontiers turn'd a Drift,
Amongst the Planting Herd to shift;
Through pathless Woods his Way he made,
To turn the Town into Blockade;
Which Berkley, whom the Mob detested,
In Bacon's Absence had invested;
Transporting from the Eastern Shore
(T'augment the Force he had before)
Of Arms and Ammunition Store,
And Men, who fought for ready Pay,
Twelve Pence a Head, for ev'ry Day;
With Plunder of all that had taken
Rebellious Oath to Col'nel Bacon.
WHO, on the Banks of Powhatan,
Before th' intended Siege began,
First cramm'd his Army, ev'ry Man,
With Hommony and Pone, and got,
Sufficient Progg for Pan and Pot,
With Drams enough of Aquæ vitæ,
To make his Men like Devils fight ye.
Before th' intended Siege began,
First cramm'd his Army, ev'ry Man,
With Hommony and Pone, and got,
Sufficient Progg for Pan and Pot,
With Drams enough of Aquæ vitæ,
To make his Men like Devils fight ye.
BUT e'er he could the Siege commence,
He needed Trenches for Defence;
Which thus he made: First, out he sent
Some Horse and Foot, with an Intent
To seize the Wives of Loial Party,
And all that were not to him hearty;
These taken, sitting at their Dinners,
They drest with Aprons, Bibbs and Pinners;
And rang'd them on their Works, in View
Of Citadel and Cannon too:
So that no Loialist durst fire,
To make Baconians retire,
Lest, with his Foes, his Wife or Daughter
Might first be slain in common Slaughter.
He needed Trenches for Defence;
Which thus he made: First, out he sent
Some Horse and Foot, with an Intent
To seize the Wives of Loial Party,
And all that were not to him hearty;
These taken, sitting at their Dinners,
They drest with Aprons, Bibbs and Pinners;
And rang'd them on their Works, in View
Of Citadel and Cannon too:
So that no Loialist durst fire,
To make Baconians retire,
Lest, with his Foes, his Wife or Daughter
Might first be slain in common Slaughter.
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SO, thus by Petticoats protected,
He rais'd the Works he had projected,
In Order to reduce the Town,
Taking at Night these Life-guards down,
Who trembling, in the Day time stood
Like Virgins bound to Stumps of Wood,
That were ordain'd by Fate's Decree,
To Hydra's Jaws to be a Prey;
As Authors tell us in the Story,
So were these Women, to their Glory,
On Martial Bank oblig'd to stand,
Like Mourning Captives, Hand in Hand;
Leaving behind their Linen Geer,
When Phœbus in his hot Career,
Forsook the Western Hemisphere,
Stuck artificially on Poles,
Which made their Husbands think, poor Souls,
They had done Duty all the Night,
Appearing still dress'd up in White,
To open View, as Sol begun
His Oriential Course to run:
But where they slept, 'tis hard to say,
'Till Phosper usher'd in the Day;
Unless with Nat, a Nap they took
In Tent, as black as Chimney Nook.
He rais'd the Works he had projected,
In Order to reduce the Town,
Taking at Night these Life-guards down,
Who trembling, in the Day time stood
Like Virgins bound to Stumps of Wood,
That were ordain'd by Fate's Decree,
To Hydra's Jaws to be a Prey;
As Authors tell us in the Story,
So were these Women, to their Glory,
On Martial Bank oblig'd to stand,
Like Mourning Captives, Hand in Hand;
Leaving behind their Linen Geer,
When Phœbus in his hot Career,
Forsook the Western Hemisphere,
Stuck artificially on Poles,
Which made their Husbands think, poor Souls,
They had done Duty all the Night,
Appearing still dress'd up in White,
To open View, as Sol begun
His Oriential Course to run:
But where they slept, 'tis hard to say,
'Till Phosper usher'd in the Day;
Unless with Nat, a Nap they took
In Tent, as black as Chimney Nook.
NOW, having well secur'd his Men,
In Trenches deep (like Pigs in Pen)
He Female Pioneers dismiss'd,
To take their Rambles where they list;
Declaring they had done more Good
For him, whilst on the Ditch they stood,
Then e're their Husbands would perform,
For Berkley, whom he meant to storm.
In Trenches deep (like Pigs in Pen)
He Female Pioneers dismiss'd,
To take their Rambles where they list;
Declaring they had done more Good
For him, whilst on the Ditch they stood,
Then e're their Husbands would perform,
For Berkley, whom he meant to storm.
WHO, b'ing inform'd the Fair were got,
Beyond the Reach of Cannon Shot,
Resolves with Bacon not to dally,
But boldly venture on a Sally;
And Storm Nat's Hold, tho' at th' Expence
Of a few Men; to drive him thence.
Beyond the Reach of Cannon Shot,
Resolves with Bacon not to dally,
But boldly venture on a Sally;
And Storm Nat's Hold, tho' at th' Expence
Of a few Men; to drive him thence.
BESIDES his mercenary Troops,
Confin'd on Board (like Geese in Coops)
Might get the Scurvy (as he thought)
In Case to Shore they were not brought.
Confin'd on Board (like Geese in Coops)
Might get the Scurvy (as he thought)
In Case to Shore they were not brought.
OF these, Will sends a Party strong,
That did to Accomack belong,
Commanded by one Huber Farrell,
More us'd t'attack a Cyder Barrel
Than face a Foe upon old Sorrel.
That did to Accomack belong,
Commanded by one Huber Farrell,
More us'd t'attack a Cyder Barrel
Than face a Foe upon old Sorrel.
THE Ships forthwith began to play,
And with their Shot clear Farrell's Way,
By Order of the Governour:
But all in vain, Nat would not stir;
'Till lucky Chance did on him smile,
And render'd fruitless, Huber's Toil:
Who (tho' he had but little Skill)
In's Thoughts did vie with Machiavel:
Wherefore, resolv'd with Nat to cope,
Strutting at Head of Forlorn-hope,
(Sent out to drive Nat from his Trenches,
Well lin'd with Men, and stroling Wenches)
He bids his Bands, in Martial Paces,
By stooping down, to save their Faces
From Shot; (thus Woodcocks hide their Snout,
In Bush, but leave their Bodies out)
When once they saw him this to do,
He order'd them, to do so too.
And with their Shot clear Farrell's Way,
By Order of the Governour:
But all in vain, Nat would not stir;
'Till lucky Chance did on him smile,
And render'd fruitless, Huber's Toil:
Who (tho' he had but little Skill)
In's Thoughts did vie with Machiavel:
Wherefore, resolv'd with Nat to cope,
Strutting at Head of Forlorn-hope,
(Sent out to drive Nat from his Trenches,
Well lin'd with Men, and stroling Wenches)
He bids his Bands, in Martial Paces,
By stooping down, to save their Faces
From Shot; (thus Woodcocks hide their Snout,
In Bush, but leave their Bodies out)
When once they saw him this to do,
He order'd them, to do so too.
THEN marching on, a Ball from Nat
Laid Farrell on his Belly flat;
Which b'ing observ'd by Farrell's Bands,
They all fall flat upon the Sands,
Thinking he did it, as the Token,
Of what he just before had spoken:
Whereby a Body of Foot Soldiers,
Compos'd of Servants and Freeholders,
That follow'd Farrell in the Rear,
Were forc'd to halt when they drew near;
Which made a Troop of Horse, behind,
Towards the Marsh about to wind,
To see what should be the Occasion
Of unexpected Retardation;
Who looking over tow'rds the Main,
Thought all their Forlorn-hope were slain.
So Wheeling suddenly about,
They put their own Reserves to th' Rout;
Which made them all retire for Shelter,
In great Confusion, Helter-skelter,
Excepting such as Bacon's Shot
Imbargo'd dead upon the Spot,
And One or Two that in Retreat
Were trod i'th' Water under Feet.
Laid Farrell on his Belly flat;
Which b'ing observ'd by Farrell's Bands,
They all fall flat upon the Sands,
Thinking he did it, as the Token,
Of what he just before had spoken:
Whereby a Body of Foot Soldiers,
Compos'd of Servants and Freeholders,
That follow'd Farrell in the Rear,
Were forc'd to halt when they drew near;
Which made a Troop of Horse, behind,
Towards the Marsh about to wind,
To see what should be the Occasion
Of unexpected Retardation;
Who looking over tow'rds the Main,
Thought all their Forlorn-hope were slain.
So Wheeling suddenly about,
They put their own Reserves to th' Rout;
Which made them all retire for Shelter,
In great Confusion, Helter-skelter,
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Imbargo'd dead upon the Spot,
And One or Two that in Retreat
Were trod i'th' Water under Feet.
HAD Nat now follow'd them to Town,
No Doubt the Day had been his own;
When Cowards (brought from Accomack)
With Threats came out, with Fears ran back.
But Bacon thought his Forces were
Inferior to Will's Numbers far;
Which made him not pursue the Rabble,
And get so little in this Squabble:
In which Encounter some were wounded,
And Eight or Ten were kill'd or drowned.
Whereas each Man of Bacon's Party,
Were still alive, and brisk and hearty.
No Doubt the Day had been his own;
When Cowards (brought from Accomack)
With Threats came out, with Fears ran back.
But Bacon thought his Forces were
Inferior to Will's Numbers far;
Which made him not pursue the Rabble,
And get so little in this Squabble:
In which Encounter some were wounded,
And Eight or Ten were kill'd or drowned.
Whereas each Man of Bacon's Party,
Were still alive, and brisk and hearty.
NEXT Day, the Gen'ral was reliev'd,
With Reinforcements he receiv'd,
(Under Command of Major Whaley,
Who had assisted Bacon daily)
With Pieces Three of heavy Cannon,
As good as e'er flung Shot o'er Shannon;
Which Bacon mounted on the Trench,
In Order soon the Siege to clench;
And try, with this his fresh Assistance,
To drive the Ships to greater Distance;
Which (tho' as yet they'd done no Harm)
Might Neighbours prove, for him too warm.
With Reinforcements he receiv'd,
(Under Command of Major Whaley,
Who had assisted Bacon daily)
With Pieces Three of heavy Cannon,
As good as e'er flung Shot o'er Shannon;
Which Bacon mounted on the Trench,
In Order soon the Siege to clench;
And try, with this his fresh Assistance,
To drive the Ships to greater Distance;
Which (tho' as yet they'd done no Harm)
Might Neighbours prove, for him too warm.
THE Governour, at this sad News,
Did soon resolve, no Time to loose;
But, summoning both Old and Young,
He strait perswades the trembling Throng,
Like Men, to save themselves, retreating,
And not (like Dogs) run Risque of Beating.
So, Bag and Baggage, they by Night
To Accomack again take Flight.
Did soon resolve, no Time to loose;
But, summoning both Old and Young,
He strait perswades the trembling Throng,
Like Men, to save themselves, retreating,
And not (like Dogs) run Risque of Beating.
So, Bag and Baggage, they by Night
To Accomack again take Flight.
THE Birds b'ing fled, Nat thought it best,
In Ashes to consume their Nest:
So, soon as Will with Gang retir'd,
In Brutish Rage. the Town he fir'd.
In Ashes to consume their Nest:
So, soon as Will with Gang retir'd,
In Brutish Rage. the Town he fir'd.
THEN, that he might Examples make,
Of all that Berkley's Side shou'd take,
To shew that he would prove impartial,
He calls together a Court Martial,
Condemns and shoots, before departing,
A poor Lieutenant, for Deserting,
Who fought for Berkley; tho' he'd taken
The Oaths before to Col'nel Bacon.
Of all that Berkley's Side shou'd take,
To shew that he would prove impartial,
He calls together a Court Martial,
Condemns and shoots, before departing,
A poor Lieutenant, for Deserting,
Who fought for Berkley; tho' he'd taken
The Oaths before to Col'nel Bacon.
THUS, having Berkley put to Rout,
For Green-Spring next he fac'd about.
Thence, with his Army, into Glo'ster,
At Tindall's-Point he boldly cross'd, Sir:
Where Bacon scarce Two Days had staid,
At Co'nel Warner's (as 'tis said)
Before a Letter, by a Post,
(Which did not much disturb his Host)
Informs him that one Col'nel Brent
Had left Pattowmack, with Intent
In Will's Behalf to give Nat Battle,
And make his Bones in's skin to rattle,
With Men, a Thousand and Two Hundred,
As nimble Rogues as ever plunder'd,
(Staffordians, Indians, and new Negroes)
Destruction threat'ning to Beseigers.
For Green-Spring next he fac'd about.
Thence, with his Army, into Glo'ster,
At Tindall's-Point he boldly cross'd, Sir:
Where Bacon scarce Two Days had staid,
At Co'nel Warner's (as 'tis said)
Before a Letter, by a Post,
(Which did not much disturb his Host)
Informs him that one Col'nel Brent
Had left Pattowmack, with Intent
In Will's Behalf to give Nat Battle,
And make his Bones in's skin to rattle,
With Men, a Thousand and Two Hundred,
As nimble Rogues as ever plunder'd,
(Staffordians, Indians, and new Negroes)
Destruction threat'ning to Beseigers.
SURPRIS'D hereat, as well he might,
Not having Men such Odds to fight,
To Camp Nat comes, in mighty Heat,
Commanding first his Drums to beat.
Then to his Soldiers, in close Order,
Now under Colours, (like Recorder)
He ope's the Letter, Gutheridge sent,
And pumps, to find his Soldiers Bent,
Pretending Love to Government,
And King, and Country, tho' rebellious:
(Thus did old Noll, and Rumpish Fellows.)
Then Soldiers swear, by all the Gods,
They'd fight Brent's Men, at Tripple Odds,
And under Nat wou'd singe their Codds.
Not having Men such Odds to fight,
To Camp Nat comes, in mighty Heat,
Commanding first his Drums to beat.
Then to his Soldiers, in close Order,
Now under Colours, (like Recorder)
He ope's the Letter, Gutheridge sent,
And pumps, to find his Soldiers Bent,
Pretending Love to Government,
And King, and Country, tho' rebellious:
(Thus did old Noll, and Rumpish Fellows.)
Then Soldiers swear, by all the Gods,
They'd fight Brent's Men, at Tripple Odds,
And under Nat wou'd singe their Codds.
FROM thence to Gloster Courthouse strait,
In Rank and File they march'd; where Fate
Decreed the Fields should be their Quarters
That Night; but as they were true Starters,
For Col'nel Smith's, near Purton, they
Began their March at Break of Day;
Where News was brought, by quick Express,
That Brent was left in great Distress,
His Men intending to desert,
And (most) to take the Traytor's Part,
Consid'ring should they follow Brent,
They might perhaps too late repent,
The Day they Bacon-hunting went.
In Rank and File they march'd; where Fate
Decreed the Fields should be their Quarters
That Night; but as they were true Starters,
For Col'nel Smith's, near Purton, they
Began their March at Break of Day;
Where News was brought, by quick Express,
That Brent was left in great Distress,
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And (most) to take the Traytor's Part,
Consid'ring should they follow Brent,
They might perhaps too late repent,
The Day they Bacon-hunting went.
THUS Cowards of a tim'rous Heart,
At their own Shadows often start,
Quit those that most in them confide,
And basely take the strongest Side.
So they, that most to Brent pretend,
I'th' Lurch do leave him in the End,
Adoring here the Rising Sun,
As in the East, they say, 'tis done.
At their own Shadows often start,
Quit those that most in them confide,
And basely take the strongest Side.
So they, that most to Brent pretend,
I'th' Lurch do leave him in the End,
Adoring here the Rising Sun,
As in the East, they say, 'tis done.
THESE happy Tidings brought to Bacon,
Who by the Ear wrong Sow had taken,
Did providentially prevent
A bloody War 'twixt him and Brent.
Who by the Ear wrong Sow had taken,
Did providentially prevent
A bloody War 'twixt him and Brent.
NOW Nat to'th' Court-house does repair,
To meet the Gloster Gentry there,
According to his Invitation,
Not for the Sake of Recreation,
But to seduce them to his Measures,
And gain their helping Hand and Treasures,
Which always chiefest Sinews are
Alike, of just and unjust War.
To meet the Gloster Gentry there,
According to his Invitation,
Not for the Sake of Recreation,
But to seduce them to his Measures,
And gain their helping Hand and Treasures,
Which always chiefest Sinews are
Alike, of just and unjust War.
WHO mounting Steeds, the Hero met,
On Propositions vile to treat,
Whom Nat with Flat'ry and Caresses,
With artful Rhetorick Addresses:
He tells them, smiling, Cap in Hand,
“That he from Friends did understand,
“They ne'er had sign'd the Covenant,
Then says, “He hopes they will partake on,
“The common Cause, with Patriot Bacon”.
On Propositions vile to treat,
Whom Nat with Flat'ry and Caresses,
With artful Rhetorick Addresses:
He tells them, smiling, Cap in Hand,
“That he from Friends did understand,
“They ne'er had sign'd the Covenant,
Then says, “He hopes they will partake on,
“The common Cause, with Patriot Bacon”.
TO which the Gentlemen reply'd,
“They would not join with either Side;
“For as they could not take the Oath,
“So to oppose him they were loath”.
“They would not join with either Side;
“For as they could not take the Oath,
“So to oppose him they were loath”.
TO which the Gen'ral sternly said,
“They would be damn'd (he was afraid)
“With basest Villains, who expected
“The just Man's Peace, but Works neglected.”
“They would be damn'd (he was afraid)
“With basest Villains, who expected
“The just Man's Peace, but Works neglected.”
AT this a certain Officer,
Apply'd to's Honour, saying, Sir,
“You've spoke to'th' Horse but not the Foot,
“'Tis ten to one, but they will do't”.
Quoth Nat, “You miss my Speech's Force,
“I spoke to th' Men, and not the Horse,
“Though 'twas scarce worth my whil t' harangue 'em,
“They're such obdurate Rascals, hang 'em;
“Pray you go speak t'your Brother Creatures,
“Asses best know the Horses Natures”.
Apply'd to's Honour, saying, Sir,
“You've spoke to'th' Horse but not the Foot,
“'Tis ten to one, but they will do't”.
Quoth Nat, “You miss my Speech's Force,
“I spoke to th' Men, and not the Horse,
“Though 'twas scarce worth my whil t' harangue 'em,
“They're such obdurate Rascals, hang 'em;
“Pray you go speak t'your Brother Creatures,
“Asses best know the Horses Natures”.
HOWEVER, at a second Meeting,
At Warner's House, for farther Treating,
The Gloster Men, th' Engagement sign'd,
And willingly with Bacon joyn'd.
At Warner's House, for farther Treating,
The Gloster Men, th' Engagement sign'd,
And willingly with Bacon joyn'd.
MEAN-WHILE there came a Letter o're,
Inviting Nat to th' Eastern Shore;
Humbly requesting, “That he wou'd,
“Come there, to rescue Publick Good,
“From Governor, who seiz'd Provision,
“With Horses, Men, and Ammunition,
“And would not pay late Expedition;
“When they at James-Town ran away,
“Fighting, per Poll, Twelve Pence a Day;
“Which Eastern Shore Men did not like,
“And made them take 'gainst Will a Pique;
“Pray Bacon's Party to assist 'em;
“For if they'd come, none shou'd resist 'em.
The Letter too, “In Bacon's Power,
“Propos'd to put the Governour,
“And of his Loial Party three,
“Ludwell, and Cole, and Beverly”:
Which Friends the Gov'nor most respected,
His Cause by them b'ing most protected:
So probably to human Thinking,
Berkleyan Intr'est was just Sinking:
But Providence now interven'd,
And to Nat's Life, soon put an End;
Who on a sudden being pent
By dang'rous Illness up, intent,
One Bremington, 'gainst Indian sent;
Intending when he did recover,
To Eastern Shore to hurry over.
Inviting Nat to th' Eastern Shore;
Humbly requesting, “That he wou'd,
“Come there, to rescue Publick Good,
“From Governor, who seiz'd Provision,
“With Horses, Men, and Ammunition,
“And would not pay late Expedition;
“When they at James-Town ran away,
“Fighting, per Poll, Twelve Pence a Day;
“Which Eastern Shore Men did not like,
“And made them take 'gainst Will a Pique;
“Pray Bacon's Party to assist 'em;
“For if they'd come, none shou'd resist 'em.
The Letter too, “In Bacon's Power,
“Propos'd to put the Governour,
“And of his Loial Party three,
“Ludwell, and Cole, and Beverly”:
Which Friends the Gov'nor most respected,
His Cause by them b'ing most protected:
So probably to human Thinking,
Berkleyan Intr'est was just Sinking:
But Providence now interven'd,
And to Nat's Life, soon put an End;
Who on a sudden being pent
By dang'rous Illness up, intent,
One Bremington, 'gainst Indian sent;
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To Eastern Shore to hurry over.
ON these Designs was Bacon harping,
At Berkley's Conduct often carping;
When Death at's Chamber door came rapping,
As Moss caught Mare, took Bacon napping.
At Berkley's Conduct often carping;
When Death at's Chamber door came rapping,
As Moss caught Mare, took Bacon napping.
BUT e're he was by Death arrested,
With his Commission he invested,
One Johnson (alias) call'd Ingram,
To head the Rebellious Army (trinctram;)
As Richard Cromwell, wise and brave,
Like Quixot's Sancho, Fool and Knave.
With his Commission he invested,
One Johnson (alias) call'd Ingram,
To head the Rebellious Army (trinctram;)
As Richard Cromwell, wise and brave,
Like Quixot's Sancho, Fool and Knave.
BUT Hero now confin'd to Bed, Sir,
By Flux and Fever (as 'tis said, Sir)
By Lice was eaten up alive,
That crawl'd thro's Skin (as Bees from Hive)
From Maggots hatched in hot Brain,
Where Passage out they sought in vain,
Thro' brazen Front; so down they went,
And through his Pores sound easy vent;
Where marching out in num'rous Armies,
They seiz'd 'Squire Bacon, vi & Armis;
So Vermin slew this Publick Evil,
That fear'd not GOD, nor Man, nor Devil.
By Flux and Fever (as 'tis said, Sir)
By Lice was eaten up alive,
That crawl'd thro's Skin (as Bees from Hive)
From Maggots hatched in hot Brain,
Where Passage out they sought in vain,
Thro' brazen Front; so down they went,
And through his Pores sound easy vent;
Where marching out in num'rous Armies,
They seiz'd 'Squire Bacon, vi & Armis;
So Vermin slew this Publick Evil,
That fear'd not GOD, nor Man, nor Devil.
THE Gen'ral thus (as Herring dead)
Was wrapt in Winding Sheet of Leed,
And sunk into an Arm o'th' Ocean,
Because his fearful Friends had Notion,
That if his Carcass should be found,
By adverse Party under Ground,
To rot on Gibbet, Bones of Nat,
Like Bones of Noll would have the Fate:
So they secur'd them in the Water,
From Foes, Indignities, and Laughter.
Was wrapt in Winding Sheet of Leed,
And sunk into an Arm o'th' Ocean,
Because his fearful Friends had Notion,
That if his Carcass should be found,
By adverse Party under Ground,
To rot on Gibbet, Bones of Nat,
Like Bones of Noll would have the Fate:
So they secur'd them in the Water,
From Foes, Indignities, and Laughter.
SATAN of old, possessing Swine,
Pickled his Pork in Neptune's Brine;
In which sad Pickle for his Kitchins,
'Tis fear'd he 'as sows'd poor Bacon's Flitchins.
He died o'th' Murrain (that is true)
Tho' Carron, yet De'll takes his Due:
At smallest Game, he'll take a Bout,
Rather than unconcern'd stand out:
Thus when he had no Fish to fry,
How Pork would do, he long'd to try.
He driving Hogs, need run, ('tis said)
Tho' brought to Market ne'er so bad.
Pickled his Pork in Neptune's Brine;
In which sad Pickle for his Kitchins,
'Tis fear'd he 'as sows'd poor Bacon's Flitchins.
He died o'th' Murrain (that is true)
Tho' Carron, yet De'll takes his Due:
At smallest Game, he'll take a Bout,
Rather than unconcern'd stand out:
Thus when he had no Fish to fry,
How Pork would do, he long'd to try.
He driving Hogs, need run, ('tis said)
Tho' brought to Market ne'er so bad.
NOW tho' the Creepers spoilt their Bacon,
For which at first, they sadly take on;
Yet Bacon's Friends (I say't in Jest)
Of their bad Market, made the best,
Which brought their Minds some little Rest:
For tho' they could not save their Bacon,
They sav'd his Bones from being taken.
For which at first, they sadly take on;
Yet Bacon's Friends (I say't in Jest)
Of their bad Market, made the best,
Which brought their Minds some little Rest:
For tho' they could not save their Bacon,
They sav'd his Bones from being taken.
WHO's born for Hanging (Proverb says)
Ne'er needs fear Drowning in the Seas;
So, vice versa, 'stead of Tree,
The Fates ordain'd Nat to the Sea;
Who justly merited the Halter,
But nought the Fates Decrees will alter;
Tho' t'had been better, had he swung,
Such Bacon being best well hung.
Ne'er needs fear Drowning in the Seas;
So, vice versa, 'stead of Tree,
The Fates ordain'd Nat to the Sea;
Who justly merited the Halter,
But nought the Fates Decrees will alter;
Tho' t'had been better, had he swung,
Such Bacon being best well hung.
BUT, now beneath the restless Billow,
He rests, who ne'er had Rest on Pillow.
The Year that Nat set Sail for Styx,
Was Sixteen Hundred Sev'enty Six,
I'th Month October, the 18th Day:
So I've no more of him to say.
He rests, who ne'er had Rest on Pillow.
The Year that Nat set Sail for Styx,
Was Sixteen Hundred Sev'enty Six,
I'th Month October, the 18th Day:
So I've no more of him to say.
| The Maryland muse | |