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War |
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Next day at morning light the Lion was spied, And the corvet sash hung down by our side.
13 Yardsmen broadside for three glasses we lay,
At length our broadside cut their mainmasts away. She played us with grapeshot, with broadsides so sore, Which soon caused the Tiger to make her guns roar.
14 With thirty-six eighteens the Lion did howl; With eighteen brass nines the Tiger did growl.
Then Dighton said, "My boys, if you're tired of this fun, You may have your choice to fight or to run."
15 To spare blood and slaughter the crew was inclined, To run from the corvet was our design;
But at this same moment they grappled us so fierce Then sword in hand was our only resource.
16 To board us twice over they tried with this view, But they were repulsed by the Tiger's bold crew. But Dighton cried out as each hero should feel; His eyes transpired fury like bright burning steel.
17 "There was death to each man on the point of my sword! Come on, ye bold heroes, and let's jump aboard." Over the bulwarks he jumped like a roe;
One stroke from his saber laid two Frenchmen low.
18 Steel sparkled, spikes rattled, and swords loudly clashed, And their decks with huge streams of crimson did pour. The blue sea all round us was purple with gore;
At length the French they gave out and cried out, "Mon Dieu."
19 They fell on their knees and their weapons let fall, And then them bold heroes for quarters did call. We soon gave them quarters; then we did hear For to engage us they did volunteer.
20 They trebled our metal with two for one,
And fortune's kind favor saved freedom's bold son.
Our seamen were valyant and generous as brave,
And to conduct the French back we the Tiger them gave. |
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