University of Virginia Library

On the Duke of Ormond's Success at Vigo,

1702.

Thro Storms of Wind, and swelling Seas which roar,
Our mighty Ormond has possest our Shore.
Fame ran before him like the Morning-Star,
And told his Deeds and wondrous Feats in War;
How he with English Force at once subdu'd
The Gallick Ships, and Spanish Multitude:
Those on the Sea in Flames with Light outvy'd
The rising Sun, and scorch'd the flowing Tide.
Th'afrighted Fishes to the Ocean swim,
And say, Great Ormond, we're afraid of him.
See on the shore the yielding Spaniards fly,
And see on board their Ships the Frenchmen die.
In vain they Bombs and Fortresses prepare
'Gainst English Valor, and the Fate of War.
What weak dependance has the Watry Fry?
On what Sea-God or Power can we rely?
See Neptune yonder, the vast Ocean's God,
At sight of Ormond hides his Head in Mud.
The Tritons, flouncing thro the Oase, repair
To Rocky Caverns from the Fate of War,
And all Sea-Monsters bellow from afar.
From Vigo's Port to th'Ocean all make way,
For here, alas! they dare no longer stay;

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By burning Ships the Water's made so hot,
Its Surface bubbles like a boiling Pot.
Half-roasted Frenchmen, some o'er Gratings broil'd,
Do mix with Spaniards in the Sea parboil'd.
For Anjou's Dinner here's a pretty Dish;
I vow h'has made a Kettle fine of Fish.