The lay of the Scottish fiddle : a tale of Havre de Grace

The centinel, who half asleep
From veiled lids, would take a peep,
Saw eager Cockburn thundering on.
And 'gan I wot to quake anon.
In tribulation bawl'd he out
For help, to his companions stout,
Who bravely to his rescue came,
And taking most delib'rate aim,
At four miles distance, with shut eye,
At Cockburn and his crew let fly.
I've heard a true eye-witness say,
Twelve canvas backs at morning play,
By that discharge all found their grave,
And with their broad bills bit the wave.

It has been shrewdly suggested, that the real object of Sir Cockburn's expedition was to procure some of these ducks for Sir Bolus, who is remarkably fond of them. I think however the account of the minstrel is much more natural, for it is hardly to be supposed that Sir Bolus, however fond he might be of these celebrated ducks, would fit out a fleet on purpose to capture them.

University of Virginia Library

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