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SONGS AND BALLADS |
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The signal for the same being made, the chace was soon
begun; And then for battle we prepar'd, to shew monsieurs some fun. Our ship being clear'd, the foe we near'd, with expectations
high, That we should show the murd'rous foe, that British courage
still would flow,
To make them strike or die.
The fam'd Bellerophon began her cannons first to play
Upon a three-deck'd ship of theirs, which could not run away :
Our hearts of gold their shot well told, in show'rs about her
side, 'Till the Leviathan came up, the battle to divide; Then seeing plain 'twas quite in vain the contest more to try, She struck ; and this does shew that British courage still will
flow,
To make them strike or die.
Night coming on, the battle ceas'd, till Phoebus rose again, When we beheld this trait'rous fleet still vaunting on the main; Our line being form'd, and all hearts warm'd, the fight was soon
renew'd; Determined to hand down that flag, which with contempt we
view'd. Lord Howe engaged their hottest rage ; he broke their line to try -If such manoeuvres would not shew that British courage still
would flow,
To make them strike or die.
The battle warmly was maintain'd, much valour was display'd, Till night, with all her sable train, the action still delay'd. Now since again all o'er the main these rebels can't be found We'll toast our admirals in our glass; our girls, too, shall go
round. Each heart shall sing, ' Long Live the King !' and each again
reply, * If e'er we're call'd again we'll shew that British courage still shall
flow,
To make them strike or die.' |
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