Classic Poem

On the Fight near Audenard, between the Duke of Marlborough, of Great Britain, and the Duke of Vendosme, of France. As also the strange and wonderful Manner how the Princes of the Blood Royal of France, were found in a Wood. In allusion to the Unhappy Memorable Song commonly call'd Chevy-Chace

God Prosper long our Gracious Queen,
Our Lives and Safeties all;
A woful Fight of late there did
Near Audenard befal.

To drive the French with Sword and Gun,
Brave Marlborough took his Way;
Ah! woe the Time that France beheld
The Fighting of that Day.

The Valiant Duke to Heaven had Swore,
Vendosme shou'd pay full dear,
For Ghent and Bruges , e'er his Fame
Should reach his Master's Ear.

And now with Eighty Thousand bold,
And chosen Men of Might;
He with the French began to Wage
A sharp and bloody Fight.

The gallant Britains swiftly ran
The French army to Chase;
On Wednesday they began to fight,
When Day-light did decrease.

And long before high-Night, they had
Ten Thousand Frenchmen slain;
And all the Rivers Crimson flow'd,
As they were dy'd in grain.

The Britains thro' the Woods pursu'd,
The nimble French to take;
And with their Cries the Hills and Dales,
And every Tree did shake.

The Duke then to the Wood did come,
In Hopes Vendosme to meet;
When lo! the Prince of Carignan
Fell at his Grace's Feet.

Oh! Gentle Duke forbear, forbear,
Into that Wood to shoot;
If ever pity mov'd your Grace,
But turn your Eyes and look:

See where the Royal Line of France ,
Great Lewis 's Heirs do lie;
And sure a Sight more pitious was
Ne'er seen by Mortal Eye.

What Heart of Flint but must relent,
Like Wax before the Sun;
To see their Glory at an end,
E'er yet it was begun.

Whenas our General found your Grace
Wou'd needs begin to Fight:
As thinking it would please the Boys,
To see so fine a Sight.

He straightway sent them to the Top
Of yonder Church's Spire;
Where they might see, and yet be safe
From Swords and Guns, and Fire.

But first he took them by the Hand,
And kiss'd them e'er they went;
Whilst Tears stood in their little Eyes,
As if they knew th'Event.

Then said, he would with Speed return,
Soon as the Fight was done;
But when he saw his Men give Ground,
Away he basely run,

And left these Children all alone,
As Babes wanting Relief;
And long they wandered up and down,
No Hopes to chear their Grief.

Thus Hand in Hand they walked, 'till
At last this Wood they spy'd;
And when they saw the Night grow dark,
They here lay down and cry'd.

At this the Duke was inly mov'd,
His Breast soft Pity beat;
And so he straightway ordered
His Men for to Retreat.

And now, but that my Pen is blunt,
I might with ease relate;
How Fifteen Thousand French were took,
Besides what found their Fate.

Nor shou'd the Prince of Hannover
In Silence be forgot;
Who like a Lyon fought on Foot,
After his Horse was shot.

And what strange Chance likewise befel,
Unto these Children dear;
But that your Patience is too much
Already tir'd, I fear.

And so God bless the Queen and Duke,
And send a lasting Peace;
That Wars and foul Debate henceforth
In all the World may cease.