 | [Poems by Tompson in] Benjamin Tompson : Colonial Bard |  |
Seaconk Plain Engagement.
On our Pharsalian Plaines, comprizing space
For Caesars host brave Pompey to outface,
An handfull of our men are walled round
With Indian swarmes; anon their pieces sound
A Madrigal like heav'ns artilery
Lightning and thunderbolts their bullets fly.
Her's hosts to handfulls, of a few they leave
Fewer to tell how many they bereave.
Fool-hardy fortitude it had been sure
Fierce storms of shot and arrows to endure
Without all hopes of some requital to
So numerous and pestilent a foe.
Some musing a retreat and thence to run,
Have in an instant all their business done,
They sink and all their sorrows ponderous weight
Down at their feet they cast and tumble straight.
Such who outliv'd the fate of others fly
Into the Irish bogs of misery.
Such who might dye like men like beasts do range
Uncertain whither for a better change,
These Natives hunt and chase with currish mind,
And plague with crueltyes such as they find.
For Caesars host brave Pompey to outface,
An handfull of our men are walled round
With Indian swarmes; anon their pieces sound
A Madrigal like heav'ns artilery
Lightning and thunderbolts their bullets fly.
Her's hosts to handfulls, of a few they leave
Fewer to tell how many they bereave.
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Fierce storms of shot and arrows to endure
Without all hopes of some requital to
So numerous and pestilent a foe.
Some musing a retreat and thence to run,
Have in an instant all their business done,
They sink and all their sorrows ponderous weight
Down at their feet they cast and tumble straight.
Such who outliv'd the fate of others fly
Into the Irish bogs of misery.
Such who might dye like men like beasts do range
Uncertain whither for a better change,
These Natives hunt and chase with currish mind,
And plague with crueltyes such as they find.
When shall this shower of Bloud be over? When?
Quickly we pray oh Lord! say thou Amen.
Quickly we pray oh Lord! say thou Amen.
| [Poems by Tompson in] Benjamin Tompson : Colonial Bard | |