(From Griswold's "Curiosities of American Literature.")
WhenJack the king's commanderWas going to his duty,Through all the crowd he smiled and bowedTo every blooming beauty.The city rung with feats he'd doneIn Portugal and Flanders,And all the town thought he'd be crownedThe first of Alexanders.To Hampton Court he first repairsTo kiss great George's hand, sirs;Then to harangue on state affairsBefore he left the land, sirs.The "Lower House" sat mute as mouseTo hear his grand oration;And "all the peers," with loudest cheers,Proclaimed him to the nation.Then off he went to Canada,Next to Ticonderoga,And quitting those away he goesStraightway to Saratoga.With great parade his march he madeTo gain his wished-for station,While far and wide his minions hiedTo spread his "Proclamation."To such as stayed he offers madeOf "pardon on submission;But savage bands should waste the landsOf all in opposition."But ah, the cruel fates of war!This boasted son of Britain,When mounting his triumphal car,With sudden fear was smitten.The sons of Freedom gathered round,His hostile bands confounded,And when they'd fain have turned their backThey found themselves surrounded!In vain they fought, in vain they fled;Their chief, humane and tender,To save the rest soon thought it bestHis forces to surrender.Brave St. Clair, when he first retired,Knew what the fates portended;And Arnold and heroic GatesHis conduct have defended.Thus may America's brave sonsWith honor be rewarded,And be the fate of all her foesThe same as here recorded.
WhenJack the king's commanderWas going to his duty,Through all the crowd he smiled and bowedTo every blooming beauty.
The city rung with feats he'd doneIn Portugal and Flanders,And all the town thought he'd be crownedThe first of Alexanders.
To Hampton Court he first repairsTo kiss great George's hand, sirs;Then to harangue on state affairsBefore he left the land, sirs.
The "Lower House" sat mute as mouseTo hear his grand oration;And "all the peers," with loudest cheers,Proclaimed him to the nation.
Then off he went to Canada,Next to Ticonderoga,And quitting those away he goesStraightway to Saratoga.
With great parade his march he madeTo gain his wished-for station,While far and wide his minions hiedTo spread his "Proclamation."
To such as stayed he offers madeOf "pardon on submission;But savage bands should waste the landsOf all in opposition."
But ah, the cruel fates of war!This boasted son of Britain,When mounting his triumphal car,With sudden fear was smitten.
The sons of Freedom gathered round,His hostile bands confounded,And when they'd fain have turned their backThey found themselves surrounded!
In vain they fought, in vain they fled;Their chief, humane and tender,To save the rest soon thought it bestHis forces to surrender.
Brave St. Clair, when he first retired,Knew what the fates portended;And Arnold and heroic GatesHis conduct have defended.
Thus may America's brave sonsWith honor be rewarded,And be the fate of all her foesThe same as here recorded.