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102 TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE.
The patriot brave, the patriot fair,
From fervor had grown thinner, So off they march'd, with patriot zeal,
And took a patriot dinner.7
1 When Congress sent great Washington. Washington was appointed by the Continental Congress, "General and Commander-in-chief of all the troops raised and to be raised, for the defence of the United Colonies," in June 1775, and immediately set off to join the main army, which was at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
2 'Twos then he took his gloomy way. On the journey he was treated with the highest honors in every place through which he passed. Volunteers of gentlemen and ladies often escorting him through their villages.
3 From Lily he dismounted. "The delicate name of this donkey was probably suggested to Washington by the whiteness of its hide, which was pretty well exposed to the weather, from the constant chafing of the articles with which it was ladened, and by mange, which through the mysterious operations of nature, and bad care, will appear on the outer wall of the animal kingdom."
Author of the Song.
4 He reaclCd the Yankee landing. He arrived at Cambridge on the 3d of July, where he was received with every mark of respect by the people, and the joyful acclamations of the soldiers.
5 Lawyer Close. This must refer to the general's aid, Major Lee.
6 Proclaimed great Liberty. At the head of his army, he issued a proclamation, of which the following is part : " In our own native land, in defence of the freedom which is our birthright, and which we ever enjoyed till the late violation of it, we have taken up arms; we shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed, shall be removed ; and not before."
7 A patriot dinner. " Corn pudding and Yankee rum, a great promoter of rebellion and riot." Author of the Song. |
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