English

WRITTEN ON THE TAKING OF CARTHAGENA FROM THE SPANIARDS, 1739

A S near Portobello lying
— On the gently-swelling flood,
At midnight, with streamers flying,
— Our triumphant navy rode;
There while Vernon sat all-glorious
— From the Spaniards' late defeat,
And his crews, with shouts victorious,
— Drank success to England's fleet:

On a sudden, shrilly sounding,
— Hideous yells and shrieks were heard;
Then, each heart with fear confounding,
— A sad troop of ghosts appeared;

As near beauteous Boston lying,
On the gently swelling flood,
Without jack or pendant flying,
Three ill-fated tea-ships rode.

Just as glorious Sol was setting,
On the wharf, a numerous crew,
Sons of freedom, fear forgetting,
Suddenly appeared in view.

Armed with hammers, axe, and chisels,
Weapons new for warlike deed,
Towards the herbage-freighted vessels,
They approached with dreadful speed.

O'er their heads aloft in mid-sky,
Three bright angel forms were seen;

As my mind in fancy wanders,
While we figure on Life's stage,
While in queries deep we ponder,
O'er the past years ripe with age;
While sipping slowly from Life's cup,
And in tho'ts deepest trance,
This question often rises up,
" Has the Negro had a chance? "

'Tis true, they lived one life,
Thro'out the darkened age,
When 'mid events full of strife
They wrote upon life's page;
In darkest hours of the night,
Their soul would seem entranced,
Wondering if some time in life,

The summer was over, the season unkind,
In harvest a snow how uncommon to find;
The times were oppressive, and well it be known
That hunger will strongest of fences break down.

'Twas then from their cells the black gentry stepped out
With bludgeons, determined to stir up a rout;
The prince of the party, who revelled from home,
Was a terrible fellow, and called Irish Tom.

He brandished his bludgeon with dexterous skill
And close to his elbow was placed Barley Will.
Instantly followed a numerous train,

As Mars and Minerva were viewing of some implements
Bellona stepped forward and asked the news.
Were they for repairing those warlike instruments
That's now growing rusty for want to be used?
The money is withdrawn and our trade is diminishing,
Mechanics are wandering without shoes or hose.
Come, stir up the wars and our trade will be flourishing.
This grand conversation was under the rose.

See how they transact in the States of America,
Renowned independence sits on the throne.
They are not misguided by schemes of a ministry

" AS like the Woman as you can " —
— (Thus the New Adam was beguiled) —
" So shall you touch the Perfect Man " —
— (God in the Garden heard and smiled).
" Your father perished with his day:
— A clot of passions fierce and blind,
He fought, he hacked, he crushed his way:
— Your muscles, Child, must be of mind.

" The Brute that lurks and irks within,
— How, till you have him gagged and bound,
Escape the foulest form of Sin? "
— (God in the Garden laughed and frowned).

As life runs on, the road grows strange
With faces new, and near the end
The milestones into headstones change,
'Neath every one a friend.

As laurel leaves that cease not to be green,
From parching sun, nor yet from winter's threat,
As hardened oak that fear'th no sword so keen,
As flint for tool in twain that will not fret,
As fast as rock or pillar surely set, —
So fast am I to you, and aye have been,
Assuridly whom I can not forget,
For joy, for pain, for torment, nor for teen,
For loss, for gain, for frowning, nor for threat:
But ever one, — yea, both in calm and blast, —
Your faithful friend, and will be to my last.

As Lamps burn silent, with unconscious light,
So modest ease , in beauty, shines most bright:
Unaiming charms, with edge resistless, fall,
And she, who means no mischief, does it all.

1.

As Jack walked out of London city, no one on Jack to take pity,
As Jack walked out of London city, no one on Jack to take pity,
Jack thought he heard the people say that in the streets he'd have to lay.
A whang dang diddle-de-dang, fol-lo-day.

2.

There was a squire who lived quite handy, he courted the lawyer's daughter Nancy,
He courted her both night and day, and agreed with her one night to lay.

3.

" I'll tie a string around my finger and hang it out of the chamber window,