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Stanzas on the Present War

From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol II.  Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.

 

See France and Spain to battle dare;
Britons, baste! to arms repair.
Haste join the proffered fight!
Deeds of glory, feats of arms,
Death and danger, war’s alarms,
Sons of Britain all invite.
Fame shall soon her trumpet sound,
And tell the nations all around
That Albion, though alone,
Will force the slaves of France and Spain,
And monarchs who’d mankind enchain,
To bow to Freedom’s throne.
Yes, Bourbon’s King shall rue the hour
That dar’d provoke Old England’s pow’r,
And raise the storm of war.
Our martial bands, in days of yore,
Who fought at Cressy, Agincourt,
Proclaim what Britons dare.1

 

1 Rivington’s Gazette, January 5.