Classic Poem

As Weavers, Shoomakers, Butchers, Dyers and Hatters, in City and Country, whose Resolution is to March into Flanders after King William, to relieve that Country from the French Cruelty, and from thence March with him to Conquer France

Brave Boys, we shall soon have an Army of those,
That will both the French and the Papists oppose,
What tho' they do now on the Protestants frown,
It is not those Romans that shall run us down;
For every Trades man his Calling will leave,
And bright shining Armour resolves to receive.

The Weavers they throw by their Shuttle and Loom,
Resolving to stand against treacherous Rome ,
Whose insolent Pride did their betters degrade,
And oftentimes proved the ruin of Trade;
Therefore the brave weavers will now play their part,
Vowing that Mounsier they'll vex to the heart.

The valliant Shoomakers in hundreds come,
Resolving to follow the true Martial Drum,
With flourishing Colours to enter the Field,
Not fearing to make the proud Enemy yeild,
The Bones of St. Hugh they do now bid adieu,
As having a far greater work now to do.

The Butchers, the Dyers, the Hatters also,
With undaunted Courage these valliantly go:
Stout Lads that are season'd to laborious work,
Well able to fight the proud French or the Turk ;
In glittering Arms they resolve to appear,
To make all our Enemies tremble for fear.

Not only in London , but every where
They do to the Army in thousands repair,
The Cornwal and Devonshire Boys are agreed,
To make the proud Papists in Flanders to bleed;
And like valiant Souldiers they solemnly vow,
To make the most Insolent Catholicks bow.

The Dorset and Somerset Boys too, we find,
They are to a Protestant Monarch inclin'd;
And at his Command they will valiantly go,
In order our Enemies to overthrow,
They have not forgot their Relations of late,
Who suffer'd under a great person of State.

Through every County all over the West ,
Their Loyalty to their good King is exprest,
And under his Banner they'll fight till they dye,
Or otherwise make our proud Enemies flye;
Their cause being good, they're void of all fear,
Resolving to charge from the Front to the Rear.

'Tis very well known that they fear not the French ,
Nor will they retire to give back an Inch,
But up to the face of the Enemy ride,
To Curb and Subdue their Insolent Pride;
A touch of true Courage ere long they shall feel;
They'l chase them with swords of true tempered steel.

Our Army makes Lewis to tremble and quake,
He fearing that Mons we again will retake,
Which we are resolved this Summer to do,
And a farther Progress we still will pursue;
With undaunted Courage, brave Boys, we'll advance,
In order to conquer the Glory of France .

Renowned King William , of Conduct and Skill,
With brave Sons of Thunder will follow them still;
While Drums they are beating, and Trumpets do sound,
And Cannons like Thunder are tearing the Ground,
The Glory and Power of France we disdain,
King William in Triumph and Glory shall Reign.

From Flanders to France , Boys, we soon will repair,
And Conquer that Nation, oppose us who dare,
Their Castles, and Towers, and Cities subdue,
And make the proud Lewis submit to us too;
Whilst Conquering William with Lawrels is Crown'd,
His fame and his name thro' the world shall go round.