For plunder, my boys, did crown our joys We did revel and roar and booze it on shore, In the king's store-house we found Our success was crown'd with plunder we found, So great was their fear, they would not us come near, When we had all their treasure seiz'd, Thus we burnt them down quite unto the ground : Let the cowards know, tho' they did insult us so, Our jolly tars, brave, noble hearts, And the brave marines did play their parts; Which the men performed as brave. They never did flinch, nor gave back an inch, They scorn'd for to run from the mouth of a gun, For the proud Queen of Spain we care not a fart ! For Carthageen she may break her heart; Of Don Blass, that cowardly tool, Brave Vernon did make an April fool: For 'twas upon that day we made him run away, Then fill a brimming glass, and round let it pass, Come, brave boys, a health begin, To Sir Chaloner Ogle another we'll have; To each jolly tar and marine that was there, To Lestock, Commodore, and many thousands more, THE SAPHIRAH [sic] IN TRIUMPH: OR, BRITISH VALOR DISPLAY D. Compos'd by James Craft, who lost his arm in the action. Come you jovial British fellows, listen, pray, to what I write, By mishap our cable parted, but we soon the Spaniards quell'd. A full intent to batter Vigo, our full force was only forty guns, Which to them does plainly show, sir, what courage in the English runs ; With spreading sails we plough'd the ocean, the seas indeed ran mountains high, Not fearing death to gain promotion, with proud Spain our valour try. All along their coast we sailed, the wind it blowed very hard; As soon as ever we came nigh them they did fire at us first ; No quarters from them we requir'd, they did see us boldly bent; They did make our foes to wonder, fill'd their hearts with dread and fear. Their privateers at anchor lying we did sink before their face; Women with their children crying from the town did run a-pace. By us their prison was confounded: to some it proved a happy day; Such as were not kill'd or wounded took to their heels and run away. Their nunnery did feel our fury, their blind zeal could not them save: Some in confusion and great hurry were sent by us to their grave. About their ears their houses tumbled, which no doubt did grieve them sore; Was ever haughty Spain so humbled by one small ship as now before? Two thousand shot and more we fir'd at their churches, forts, and town, It made us laugh till we were tir'd to see their houses tumble down : Seventeen hundred and forty-four, sir, January the fifteenth day, That we made the Spaniards rue, sir, our most noble British play. We had in this bold action one man killed, and no more; Which I think was enough to vex 'em, they having many in their gore. Had the day but longer lasted, and our ship not damnify'd, We'd made them surrender, we protested, or would all have surely dy'd. We then soon for Lisbon sailed, where we got wine our hearts to cheer. At Vigo widows their fates bewailed, and curst the time that we came there. I wish that all our brave commanders, who sail the seas for Britain's right, May like bold Holmes prove Alexanders, not fearing death when they do fight. May he meet with a just treatment from our nation for the same, For so bold and brave defeatment none but cowards can him blame. Little Laughton, our third lieutenant, did at that time great valour show; King and country's bold defendant, beloved by all that does him know. Bring us wine, let it be sherry, fill the glass up to the brink; Drown all sorrows and be merry; to our noble captain drink. Pray God send our royal master George the Second long to reign, For to meet with no disaster, but the victory always gain. ADMIRAL MATTHEWS ENGAGEMENT AGAINST THE COMBINED FLEETS OF FRANCE AND SPAIN. Brave Admiral Matthews has been on the main, He had not long been on the sea, it is true, Then he cry'd, 'My brave boys, look, see how they ride! We hoisted our sails, and away then we went, But the wind prov'd contrary, we could not pursue, There is an old proverb I've lately thought on, A mile's distance next day, they at us did fire, Then we did let fly; and why should we not? Our admiral then took his glass in his hand, That it took off the place where his arm did lye. The night being come, they straightway gave o'er, We'll make our cannons play Britons, strike home.' Then straightway we left them in grief to complain, Pray God bless our fleet, and his Majesty too, Concluding as this, and my song to end, In Matthews' brave ship these verses were penn'd. A NEW SONG IN PRAISE OF BRAVE CAPTAIN HORNSBY. Come all you brave sailors that plough on the main, How bravely he acted and play'd his own part, That he made the proud Frenchmen to quake in their hearts. |