Ballads in Imitation of the Antient By W. H. Ireland |
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A Ballad.
On the gallant Defeat of the
Spanish Armada.
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 | Ballads in Imitation of the Antient |  |
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A Ballad. On the gallant Defeat of the Spanish Armada.
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[_]
For this most celebrated victory the English are greatly indebted to the interposition of Providence in their favor, as the gallant endeavours of our seamen were aided by the tempestuous elements, which conspired to disperse and shatter the invading force of Spain. The engagement took place in the year 1588, when Sir Francis Drake, the Earl of Cumberland, and several other Noblemen distinguished themselves by their disinterested conduct in freely volunteering for the defence of their Country, Religion, Sovereign, and Constitution.
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Didst thou see the Streamers waving?
Didst thou see upon the Flood
England's gallant War-ships laving,
England's Sailors staunch of blood?
Didst thou see upon the Flood
England's gallant War-ships laving,
England's Sailors staunch of blood?
Yes, I saw the streamers flying
O'er the green and foaming wave,
Gallant Seamen joyful crying,
English Seamen stout and brave.
O'er the green and foaming wave,
Gallant Seamen joyful crying,
English Seamen stout and brave.
Didst thou see the Spaniards riding,
With their flags so rich and bright?
Yes, I saw their vessels gliding,
Ready for the dreadful fight.
With their flags so rich and bright?
Yes, I saw their vessels gliding,
Ready for the dreadful fight.
200
Didst thou see their line of battle
Spread upon the watry plain?
Didst thou hear the cannons' rattle?
Didst thou mark the blood-red main?
Spread upon the watry plain?
Didst thou hear the cannons' rattle?
Didst thou mark the blood-red main?
Yes, I saw the signal given,
And the Spaniards 'gin the fight.
Yes, I saw the face of heaven;
Dread, yet glorious was the sight.
And the Spaniards 'gin the fight.
Yes, I saw the face of heaven;
Dread, yet glorious was the sight.
Now the winds tempestuous roaring,
Waft the billowy waves on high,
And the Spanish vessels soaring,
Seem to touch the darken'd sky.
Waft the billowy waves on high,
And the Spanish vessels soaring,
Seem to touch the darken'd sky.
Now the groans of thousands dying,
And the conqu'rors joyful shout;
Now the shatter'd war-ships flying,
Speak the haughty Spaniards' rout.
And the conqu'rors joyful shout;
Now the shatter'd war-ships flying,
Speak the haughty Spaniards' rout.
201
Didst thou see the boist'rous railers
Forc'd to fly old England's coast?
Yes, I saw their vanquish'd sailors,
Humbled was the daring host.
Forc'd to fly old England's coast?
Yes, I saw their vanquish'd sailors,
Humbled was the daring host.
Dist thou view their vessels stranded,
And the pris'ners brought to shore?
Yes, I saw the crews safe landed,
England's sons did God adore.
And the pris'ners brought to shore?
Yes, I saw the crews safe landed,
England's sons did God adore.
May our Queen, by Heav'n protected,
Long reign o'er our Isle in peace;
May we never be subjected,
May these bloody horrors cease!
Long reign o'er our Isle in peace;
May we never be subjected,
May these bloody horrors cease!
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