M'Fingal: a modern epic poem, in four cantos. : [Nine lines in Latin from Horace]

M'FINGAL. A MODERN EPIC POEM, IN FOUR CANTOS.

Ergo non ſatis eſt riſu diducere rictum Auditoris: et eſt quaedam tamen hic quoque virtus. Eſt brevitate opus, ut currat ſententia, neu ſe Imp • diat verbis 〈◊〉 onerantibus aures. Et ſe • m me opus eſt modo triſti, ſoepe jocoſo, Defe •• ente vicem modo Rhetoris, atque Poetae, 〈…〉 parcentis vi • ibus atque Extenuantis eas conſulto. Ridiculum acri Fortias et melius magnas ple • u • nque ſecat res. Horat. Lib. I. Sat. 〈◊〉

HARTFORD: Printed by HUDSON and GOODWIN, near the Great Bridge, 1782.

M'FINGAL: CANTO FIRST, OR THE TOWN-MEETING, A. M. WHEN Yankies, ſkill'd in martial rule, Firſt put the Britiſh troops to ſchool; Inſtructed them in warlike trade, And new manoeuvres of parade; The true war-dance of Yanky-reels, And manual exerciſe of heels; Made them give up, like ſaints complete, The arm of fleſh and truſt the feet, And work, like Chriſtians undiſſembling, Salvation out, by fear and trembling; Taught Percy faſhion •••• races, And modern modes of Chevy-chaces: From Boſton, in his beſt array, Great 'Squire M'Fingal took his way, And graced with enſigns of renown, Steer'd homeward to his native town. His high deſcent our heralds trace ToSee Fingal, an antient Epic Poem, published as the work of Oſſian, a Caledonian Bard, of the third century, by James M Pherſon, a S ••• ch • inific • ial ſcribbles. Oſſian's famed Fingal ••• race: For tho' their name ſome part may lack, Old Fingal ſpelt it with a Mac; Which great M'Pherſon, with ſubmiſſion We hope will add, the next edition. His fathers flouriſh'd in the Highlands Of Scotia's fog-benighted iſlands; Whence gain'd our 'Squire two gifts by right, R • pellion and the Second-ſight. O • theſe the firſt, in ancient days, Had gain'd the nobleſt palms of praiſe, 'Gain • t Kings ſtood forth and many a crown'd head With terror of its might confounded; T • ll roſe a King with potent charm His foes by goodneſs to diſarm, Whom ev'ry Scot and Jacobite 〈◊〉 ſell in love with, at firſt ſight; Whoſe gracious ſpeech, with aid of penſions, Huſh'd down all murmurs of diſſ •• ſions, And with the ſound of potent m • tal, Brought all their bluſt' ring ſwarms to ſettle; Who rain'd his miniſterial m • nnas, Till loud Sedition ſung 〈…〉 ; The good Lords-Biſhops and the Kirk United in the public work; Rebellion from the northern regions, With •• te and Manstield ſwore allegiance; And all combin'd to raze as nuiſance, Of church and ſtate, the conſtitutions; • ull down the empire, on whoſe ruins They meant to edify their new ones; Enſlave th' Amer'can wilderneſſes, And tear the provinces in pieces For theſe our 'Squire among the valiant'ſt, Employ'd his time and tools and talents; And in their cauſe with manly zeal Uſed his firſt virtue, to rebel; And found this new rebellion pleaſing As his old king-deſtroying treaſon. Nor leſs avail'd his 〈◊〉 ſleight, And Scottiſh gift of ſecond-ſight. No antient ſybil fam'd in rhyme Saw deeper in the womb of time; No block in old Dodona's grove, Could ever more orac'lar prove. Nor only ſaw he all that was, But much that never came to paſs; Whereby all Prophets far out went he, Tho' former days produc'd a plenty: For any man with half an eye, What ſtands before him may 〈◊〉 But optics ſharp it needs I ween, To ſee what is not to be ſeen. As in the days of antient fame Prophets and poets were the ſame, And all the praiſe that poets gain Is but for what th' invent and feign: So gain'd our 'Squire his fame by ſeeing Such things as never would have being. Whence he for oracles was grown The veryThe Tripod was a ſacred three-legged ſtool, from which the antient prieſts uttered their oracles. tripod of his town. Gazettes no ſooner roſe a lye in, But ſtrait he fell to propheſying; Made dreadful ſlaughter in his courſe, O'erthrew provincials, foot and horſe; Brought armies o'er by ſudden preſſings Of Hanoverians, Swiſs and Heſſians; Feaſted with blood his Scottiſh clan, And hang'd all rebels, to a man; Divided their eſtates and pelf, And took a goodly ſhare himſelf. All this with ſpirit energetic, He did by ſecond-ſight prophetic. Thus ſtor'd with intellectual riches, Skill'd was our 'Squire in making ſpeeches, Where ſtrength of brains united centers With ſtrength of lungs ſurpaſſing Stentor's. But as ſome muſquets ſo contrive it, As oft to miſs the mark they drive at, And tho' well aim'd at duck or plover, Bear wide and kick their owners over: So far'd our 'Squire, whoſe reas'ning toil Would often on himſelf recoil, And ſo much injur'd more his ſide The ſtronger arg'ments he applied: As old war-elephants diſmay'd, Trode down the troops they came to aid, And hurt their own ſide more in battle Than leſs and ordinary cattle. Yet at town-meetings ev'ry chief Pinn'd faith on great M'Fingal's ſleeve, And as he motion'd, all by rote Rais'd ſympathetic hands to vote. The town, our Hero's ſcene of action, Had long been torn by feuds of faction, And as each party's ſtrength prevails, It turn'd up did'rent, heads or tails; With conſtant rattl'ing in a trice Show'd various ſides as oft as dice: As that ſam'd weaver,Homer's Odyſſey. wiſe • t' Ulyſſes, By night each day's-work pick'd in pieces, And tho' ſhe ſtoutly did beſtir her, Its finiſhing was ne'er the nearer: So did this town with ſtedfaſt zeal Weave cob-webs for the public weal, Which when compleated, or before, A ſecond vote in pieces tore. They met, made ſpeeches full long winded, Reſolv'd, proteſted, and reſcinded; Addreſſes ſign'd, then choſe Committees, To ſtop all drinking of Bohea-teas; With winds of doctrine veer'd about, And turn'd all Whig-Committees out. Meanwhile our Hero, as their head, In pomp the tory faction led, Still following, as the 'Squire ſhould pleaſe, Succeſſive on, like files of geeſe. And now the town was ſummon'd greeting, To grand parading of town-meeting; A ſhow, that ſtrangers might appall, As Rome's grave ſenate did the Gaul. High o'er the rout, on pulpit-ſtairs, Like den of thieves in houſe of pray'rs, (That houſe, which loth a rule to break, Serv'd heav'n but one day in the week, Open the reſt for all ſupplies Of news and politics and lies) Stood forth the conſtable, and bore His ſtaff, like Merc'ry's wand of yore, Wav'd potent round, the peace to keep, As that laid dead men's ſouls to ſleep. Above and near th' hermetic ſtaff, The moderator's upper half, In grandeur o'er the cuſhion bow'd, Like Sol half-ſeen behind a cloud. Beneath ſtood voters of all colours, Whigs, tories, orators and bawlers, With ev'ry tongue in either faction, Prepared, like minute-men, for action; Where truth and falſhood, wrong and right, Draw all their legions out to fight; With equal uproar, ſcarcely rave Oppoſing winds in AEolus' cave; Such dialogues with earneſt face, Held never Balaam with his aſs. With daring zeal and courage bleſt Honorius firſt the crowd addreſs'd; When now our 'Squire returning late, Arrived to aid the grand debate, With ſtrange • our faces ſat him down, While thus the orator went on. "—For ages bleſt, thus Britain roſe The terror of encircling foes; Her heroes rul'd the bloody plain; Her conq'ring ſtandard aw'd the main: The diff'rent palms her triumphs grace, Of arms in war, of arts in peace: Unharraſs'd by material care, Each riſing province flouriſh'd fair; Whoſe various wealth with lib'ral hand, By far o'er-paid the parent-land. But tho' ſo bright her ſun might ſhine, 'Twas quickly haſting to decline, With feeble rays, too weak t' aſſuage, The damps, that chill the eye of age. For ſta • es, like men, are doom'd as well Th' infirmities of age to feel; And from their diff'rent forms of empire Are ſeiz'd with ev'ry deep diſtemper. Some ſtates high fevers have made head in, Which nought could cure but 〈◊〉 us bleeding; While others have grown dull and dozy, Or fix'd in helpleſs idiocy; Or turn'd demoniacs to belabour Each peaceful habitant and neighbour; Or vex'd with hypocondriac fits, Have broke their ſtrength and loſt their wits. Thus now while hoary years prevail, Good Mother Britain ſeem'd to fail; Her back bent, crippled with the weight Of age and debts and cares of ſtate: For debts ſhe ow'd, and thoſe ſo large, As twice her wealth could not diſcharge, And now 'twas thought, ſo high they'd grown, She'd break and come upon the town; Her arms, of nations once the dread, She ſcarce could lift above her head; Her deaſen'd ears ( • twas all their hope) The final trump perhaps might op • , So long they'd been in ſtupid mo • d, Shut to the hearing of all good; Grim Death had put her in his ſcroll, Down on the execution-roll; And Gallic crows, as the grew weaker, Began to whet their beaks to pick her. And now her pow'rs decaying faſt, Her grand Climact rie had • he paſt, And, juſt like all old women elſe, Fell in the vapours much by ſpells. Strange whimſies on her fancy 〈◊〉 , And gave her brain a diſmal ſhock; Her mem'ry fails, her judgment ends; She quite forgot her neareſt friends. Loſt all her former ſenſe and knowledge, And fitted faſt for B • th • lem college; Of all the pow'rs ſhe once retain'd, Conceit and pride alone remain'd. As Eve when falling was ſo modeſt To fancy ſhe ſhould grow a goddeſs; As madmen, ſtraw who long have ſlept on, Will ſtile them, Jupiter or Neptune: So Britain 'midſt her airs ſo ſlighty, Now took a whim to be Almighty; Urg'd on to deſp'rate heights of frenzy, A •• irm'd her own Omnipotency; Would rather ruin all her race, Than 'ba • e Supremacy an ace; Aſſumed all rights divine, as grown The churches head, like good Pope Joan S • ore all the world ſhould bow and ſkip To her almighty Goody ſhip; A • ath'matiz'd each unbeliever, And vow'd to live and rule forever. Her ſervants humour'd every whim, And own'd at once her pow'r ſupreme, Her follies pleas'd in all their ſtages, For ſake of legacies and wages; InThe Parliament Houſe is called by that name Stephen's Chapel then in ſtate too Set up her golden calf to pray to, Proclaim'd its pow'r and right divine, And 〈◊〉 for worſhip at its ſhrine, And for poor Heretics to burn us Bade North prepare his fiery furnace; Struck bar •• ins with the Romiſh churches Infallibility to purchaſe; Set wide for Popery the door, Made friends with Babel's ſcarlet whore, Join'd both the matrons firm in clan; No ſiſters made a better ſpan. No wonder the •• , ere this was over, That ſhe ſhould make her children ſuffer. She firſt, without pretence of reaſon, Claim'd right whate'er we had to ſeize on; And with determin'd reſolution, To put her claims in execution, Sent ſire and ſword, and call'd it, Lenity, Starv'd us, and chriſten'd it, Humanity. For ſhe, her caſe grown deſperater, Miſtook the plaineſt things in nature; Had loſt all uſe of eyes or wit • ; Took ſlav'ry for the bill of rights; Trembled at Whigs and deem'd them foes, And ſtopp'd at loyalty her n • ſe; Stiled her own children, brats and caitiffs, And knew us not from th' Indian natives. What tho' with ſupplicating pray'r We begg'd our lives and goods ſhe'd ſpare; Not vainer vows, with ſillier call, Elijah's prophets rais'd to Baa • ; A worſhipp'd ſtock of god, or goddeſs, Had better heard and underſtood us. So once Egyptians at the Nile Ador'd their guardian Crocodile, Who heard them firſt with kindeſt ear, And ate them to reward their pray'r; And could he talk, as kings can do, Had made as gracious ſpeeches too. Thus ſpite of pray'rs her ſchemes purſuing, She ſtill went on to work our ruin; Annull'd our charters of releaſes, And tore our title-deeds in pieces; Then ſign'd her warrants of ejection, And gallows rais'd to ſtretch our necks on; And on theſe errands ſent in rage, Her bailiff, and her hangman, Gage, And at his heels, like dogs to bait us, Diſpatch'd her P • ſſe C • mi • atus. No ſtate e'er choſe a ſi •• er perſon, To carry ſuch a ſilly farce on. A • Heathen gods in antient days Receiv'd at ſecond-hand their praiſe, Stood imag'd forth in ſtones and ſtocks, And deified in barber's blocks; So Gage was choſe to repreſent Th' omnipotence of Parliament. And as old heroes gain'd, by ſhifts, From gods, as poets tell, their gifts; Our Gen'ral, as his actions ſhow, Gain'd like aſſiſtance from below, By Satan graced with full ſupplies, From all his magazine of lies. Yet could his practice ne'er impart The wit to tell a lie with art. Thoſe lies alone are formidable, Where artful truth is mixt with fable; But Gage has bungled oft ſo vilely No ſoul would credit lies ſo ſilly, Outwent all faith and ſtretch'd beyond Credulity's extremeſt end. Whence plain it ſeems tho' Satan once O'er look'd with ſcorn each brainleſs dunce, And blund'ring brutes in Eden ſhunning, Choſe out the ſerpent for his cunning; Of late he is not half ſo nice, Nor picks aſſiſtants, 'cauſe they're wiſe. For had he ſtood upon perfection, His preſent friends had loſt th' election, And far'd as hard in this proceeding, As owls and aſſes did in Eden. Yet fools are often dang'rous enemies, As meaneſt reptiles are moſt venomous; Nor e'er could Gage by craft and proweſs Have done a whit more miſchief to us: Since he began th' unnatural war, The work his maſters ſent him for. And are there in this freeborn land Among ourſelves a venal band, A daſtard race, who long have ſold Their ſouls and conſciences for gold; Who wiſh to ſtab their country's vitals, If they might heir ſurviving titles; With joy behold our miſchiefs brewing, Inſult and triumph in our ruin? Prieſts who, if Satan ſhould ſit down, To make a Bible of his own, Would gladly for the ſake of mitres, Turn his inſpir'd and ſacred writers; Lawyers, who ſhould he wiſh to prove His title t' his old ſeat above, Would, if his cauſe he'd give 'em fees in, Bring writs of Entry ſur diſſeiſin, Plead for him boldly at the ſeſſion, And hope to put him in poſſeſſion; Merchants who, for his kindly aid, Would make him partners in their trade, Hang out their ſigns in goodly ſhow, Inſcrib'd with "Belzebub and Co." And Judges, who would liſt his pages, For proper liveries and wages; And who as humbly cringe and bow To all his mortal ſervants now? There are; and ſhame with pointing geſture • , Marks out th' Addreſſers and Proteſters; Whom, following down the ſtream of ſate, Contempts ineffable await, And public infamy forlorn, Dread hate and everlaſting ſcorn." As thus he ſpake, our 'Squire M'Fingal Gave to his partizans a ſignal. Not quicker roll'd the waves to land, When Moſes wav'd his potent wand, Nor with more uproar, than the Tories Set up a gen'ral rout in chorus; Laugh'd, hiſs'd, hem'd, murmur'd, groan'd and jeer'd; Honorius now could ſcarce be heard. Our Muſe amid th' increaſing roar, Could not diſtinguiſh one word more: Tho' ſhe ſat by, in firm record To take in ſhort-hand ev'ry word; As antient Muſes wont, to whom Old Bards for depoſitions come; Who muſt have writ'em; for how elſe Could they each ſpeech verbatim tell's? And tho' ſome readers of romances Are apt to ſtrain their tortur'd fancies, And doubt, when lovers all alone Their ſad ſoliloquies do groan, Grieve many a page with no one near 'em, And nought but rocks and groves to hear 'em, What ſpright infernal could have tattled, And told the authors all they prattled; Whence ſome weak minds have made objection, That what they ſcribbled muſt be fiction: 'Tis falſe; for while the lovers ſpoke, The Muſe was by, with table-book, And leaſt ſome blunder might enſue, Echo ſtood clerk and kept the 〈◊〉 . And tho' the ſpeech ben't worth a groat, As usual, 'tisn't the author's ſault, But error merely of the prater, Who ſhould have talk'd to th' purpoſe better: Which full excuſe, my critic-brothers, May help me out, as well as others; And 'tis deſign'd, tho' here it lurk, To ſerve as preface to this work. So let it be—for now our 'Squire No longer could contain his ire; And riſing 'midſt applauding Tories, Thus vented wrath upon Honorius. Quoth he, "'Tis wondrous what ſtrange ſtu •• Your Whig's-heads are compounded of; Which force of logic cannot pierce Nor ſyllogiſtic car • e & fierce, Nor weight of ſcripture or of reaſon Su •• i • e to make the leaſt impreſſion. Not heeding what ye raiſ'd conteſt on, Ye prate, and beg or ſteel the queſtion; And when your boaſted arguings fail, Strait leave all reaſoning off, to rail. Have not our High-Church Clergy made i • Appear from ſcriptures which ye credit, That right divine from heav'n was lent To kings, that is the Parliament, Their ſubjects to oppreſs and teaze, And ſerve the Devil when they pleaſe? Did they not write and pray and preach, And torture all the parts of ſpeech, About Rebellion made a pother, From one end of the •• nd to th' other? And yet pain'd fewer proſ'lyte Whigs, Than oldThe ſtories of St. Anthony and his pig, and St. Auſtin's preaching to fishes, are told in the Popish legend. St. Anth'ny • mongſt the pigs; And chang'd not half ſo many vicious As Auſtin, when he preach'd to fiſhes; Who throng'd to hear, the legend tells, Were edified and wegg'd their ta • ls: But ſcarce you'd prove it, if you tried, That e'er one Whig was edified. Have ye not heard from High-church Clergymen, one at Boston, one at New YorkParſon Walter Much di • e preſage of many a halter? What warnings had ye of your duty From our old Reverend Sam. Auchmu • y▪ From Prieſts of all degrees and metres, T' our fag-end man poorPeters, a Tory-Clergyman in Connecticut, who after making himſelf dereſtable by his inimical conduct, abſconded from the contempt, rather than the vengeance of his countrymen, and fled to England to make complaints againſt that colony: Cooper, a writer, poet, and 〈◊〉 of the ſame ſtamp, Preſident of the college at New-York: S •• bury, a Clergyman of the ſame province. Parſon Peters? Have not our Cooper and our Seabury Sung hymns, like Barak and old Deborah; Prov'd all intrigues to ſet you free Rebellion • gainſt the 〈◊〉 that • e; Brought over many a ſcripture text That uſed to wink at rebel ſects, Coax'd wayward ones to favour regents, Or paraph • aſ'd them to obedience; Prov'd ev'ry king, ev'n thoſe confeſt Horns of th' Apocalyptic beaſt, And ſprouting from its noddles ſeven, Ordain'd, as biſhops are, by heav'n; (For reaſons ſimilar, as we're told That Tophet was ••• in'd of old) By this lay- 〈…〉 v • lid Becomes all 〈…〉 and hallow'd, Takes patent out 〈◊〉 heav'n has ſign'd 〈◊〉 ; And ſtarts up ſ • rait, the Lord's anointed? Like extreme unction that can cleanſe Each penitent from 〈◊〉 ſins, Make them run glib, when oil'd by Prieſ • , The heav'nly road, like wheels new greaſ'd, Serve them, like ſhoeball, for defences 'Gainſt wear and tear of conſciences: So king's anointment cleans betimes, Like fuller's earth, all ſpots of crimes, For future knav'ries gives commissions, Like Papiſts ſinning under licence. For heav'n ordain'd the origin, Divines declare, of pain and ſin; Prove ſuch great good they both have done us; Kind mercy 'twas they came upon us: For without pain and ſin and folly Man ne'er were bleſt, or wiſe, or holy; And we ſhouldSee the Modern Metaphyſical Divinity. thank the Lord, 'tis ſo, As authors grave wrote long ago. Now heav'n its iſſues never brings Without the means, and theſe are kings; And he, who blames when they announce ills; Would counteract th' eternal counſels. As when the Jews a murm'ring race, By conſtant grumblings fell from grace, Heav'n taught them firſt to know their diſtance By famine, ſlav'ry and Philiſtines; When theſe could no repentance bring, In wrath it ſent them laſt a king: So nineteen, 'tis believ'd, in twenty Of modern kings for plagues are ſent you; Nor can your cavillers pretend, But that they anſwer well their end. 'Tis yours to yield to their command, As rods in Providence's hand; And iſ it means to ſend you pain, You turn your noſes up in vain; Your only way's in peace to bear it, And make neceſſity a merit. Hence ſure perdition muſt await The man, who riſeſ 'gainſt the ſtate, Who meets at once the damning ſentence, Without one loophole for repentance; E'en tho' he 'gain the royal ſee, And rank among the pow'rs that be: For hell is theirs, the ſcripture ſhows, Whoe'er the pow'rs that be oppoſe, And all thoſe pow'rs (I am clear that 'tis 〈◊〉 ) Are damn'd for ever, ex officio. Thus far our Clergy; but 'tis true, We lack'd not earthly reaſ'ners too. Had I theVirgil's Aeneid, 6th book, line 625. Poet's brazen lungs As ſound-board to his hundred tongues, I could not half the ſcriblers muſter That ſwarm'd round Rivington in cluſter, Aſſemblies, Councilmen, forſooth; Bruſh, Cooper, Wilkins, Chandler, Booth. Yet all their arguments and ſap' • nce, You did not value at three halfpence. Did not our MassachusettenſisSee a courſe of eſ • ays, under the ſignature of Maſſachuſettenſis. For your conviction ſtrain his ſenſes? Scrawl ev'ry moment he could ſpare, From cards and barbers and the fair; Show, clear as ſun in noonday heavens, You did not feel a ſingle grievance; Demonſtrate all your oppoſition Sprung from the"Committees of Correſpondence are the fouleſt and moſt venomous ſerpent, that ever iſſued from the eggs of ſedition." &c, eggs of foul ſedition; Swear he had ſeen the neſt ſhe laid in, And knew how long ſhe had been ſitting; Could tell exact what ſtrength of heat is Requir'd to hatch her out Committees; What ſhapes they take, and how much longer's The ſpace before they grow t' a Congreſs? New whitewaſh'd Hutchinſon and varniſh'd, Our Gage, who'd got a little tarniſh'd, Made 'em new maſks, in time no doubt, For Hutchinſon's was quite worn out; And while he muddled all his head, You did not heed a word he ſaid. Did not our graveAttorney-General of Maſſachuſetts-Bay, a Judge of Admiralty, Gage's chief Adviſer and Proclamation-maker, author of a farce called the Americans Rou • ed, and of a great variety of eſſays on the Miniſterial ſide, in the Boſton news-papers. Judge Sewall hit The ſummit of news-paper wit? Fill'd ev'ry leaf of ev'ry paper Of Mills and Hicks and mother Draper; Drew proclamations, works of toil, In true ſublime of ſcarecrow ſtyle; Wrote farces too, 'gainſt Sons of Freedom, All for your good, and none would read 'em; Denounc'd damnation on their frenzy, Who died in Whig-impenitency; Affirm'd that heav'n would lend us aid, As all our Tory-writers ſaid, And calculated ſo its kindneſs, He told the moment when it join'd us." " 'Twas then belike, Honorius cried, When you the public faſt defied, Refuſ'd to heav'n to raiſe a prayer, Becauſe you'd no connections there: And ſince with rev'rent hearts and faces To Governors you'd made addreſſes, In them, who made you Tories, ſeeing You lived and mov'd and had your being; Your humble vows you would not breathe To pow'rs you'd no acquaintance with." "As for your faſts, replied our 'Squire, What circumſtance could faſts require; We kept them not, but 'twas no crime; We held them merely loſs of time. For what advantage firm and laſting, Pray did you ever get by faſting? And what the gains that can ariſe From vows and off'rings to the ſkies? Will heav'n reward with poſts and fees, Or ſend us Tea, as Conſignees, Give penſions, ſal'ries, places, bribes, Or chuſe us judges, clerks, or ſcribes? Has it commiſſions in its gift, Or caſh, to ſerve us at a lift? Are acts of parliament there made, To carry on the placeman's trade? Or has it paſs'd a ſingle bill To let us plunder whom we will? And look our liſt of placemen all over; Did heav'n appoint our chief judge, Oliver, • ill that high bench with ignoramus, Or has it councils by mandamus? Who made that wit ofA proper emblem 〈…〉 genius. water-gruel, A Judge of Admiralty, Sewall? And were they not mere earthly ſtruggles, That raiſ'd up Murray, ſay, and Ruggles? Did heav'n ſend down, our pains to med'cine, That old ſimplicity of Edſon, Or by election pick out from us, That Marſhfield blund'rer Nat. Ray Thomas; Or had it any hand in ſerving A Loring, Pepp'rell, Browne, or Erving? Yet we've ſome ſaints, the very thing, We'll pit againſt the beſt you'll bring. For can the ſtrongeſt fancy paint Than Hutchinſon a greater ſaint? Was there a parſon uſed to pray At times more reg'lar twice a day; As folks exact have dinners got, Whether they've appetites or not? Was there a zealot more alarming 'Gainſt public vice to hold forth ſermon, Or fix'd at church, whoſe inward motion Roll'd up his eyes with more devotion? What Puritan could ever pray In Godlier tone, than treaſ'rerTreaſurer of Maſſachuſetts-Bay, and one of the Manda • us Council. Gray, Or at town-meetings ſpeechify'ng, Could utter more melodious whine, And ſhut his eyes and vent his moan, Like owl afflicted in the ſun? Who once •• nt home his canting rival, Lord Dartmouth's ſelf, might out be drivel." "Have you forgot, Honorius cried, How your prime ſaint the truth defied, Affirm'd he never wrote a line Your charter'd rights to undermine; When his own letters then were by, That prov'd his meſſage all a lie? How many promiſes he ſeal'd, To get th' oppreſſive acts repeal'd, Yet once arriv'd on England's ſhore, Set on the Premier to paſs more? But theſe are no defects, we grant, In a right loyal Tory ſaint, Whoſe godlike virtues muſt with eaſe Atone ſuch venal crimes as theſe: Or ye perhaps in ſcripture ſpy A new commandment, " Thou ſhalt lie;" And if 't be ſo (as who can tell?) There's no one ſure ye keep ſo well." " Quoth he, For lies and promiſe-breaking Ye need not be in ſuch a taking; For lying is, we know and teach, The higheſt privilege of ſpeech; The univerſal Magna Charta, To which all human race is party, Whence children firſt, as David ſays, Lay claim to 't in their earlieſt days; The only ſtratagem in war, Our Gen'rals have occaſion for; The only freedom of the preſs Our politicians need in peace: And 'tis a ſhame you wiſh t' abridge us Of theſe our darling privileges. Thank heav'n, your ſhot have miſs'd their aim, For lying is no ſin, or ſhame. As men laſt wills may change again, Tho' drawn in name of God, amen; Beſure they muſt have much the more, O'er promiſes as great a pow'r, Which made in haſte, with ſmall inſpection, So much the more will need correction; And when they've careleſs ſpoke, or penn'd 'em, Have right to look 'em o'er and mend 'em; Reviſe their vows, or change the text, By way of codicil annex'd, Turn out a promiſe, that was baſe, And put a better in its place. So Gage of late agreed, you know, To let the Boſton people go; Yet when he ſaw 'gainſt troops that brav'd him, They were the only guards that ſav'd him, Kept off that Satan of a Putnam, From breaking in to maul and mutt'n him; He'd too much wit ſuch leagues t' obſerve, And ſhut them in again to ſtarve. So Moſes writes, when female Jews Made oaths and vows unfit for uſe, Their parents then might ſet them free From that conſcientious tyranny: And ſhall men feel that ſpir'tual bondage Forever, when they grow beyond age; Nor have pow'r their own oaths to change? I think the tale were very ſtrange. Shall vows but bind the ſtout and ſtrong, And let go women weak and young, As nets encloſe the larger crew, And let the ſmaller fry creep thro'? Beſides, the Whigs have all been ſet on, The Tories to affright and threaten, Till Gage amidſt his trembling ſits Has hardly kept him in his wits; And tho' he ſpeak with art and fineſſe, 'Tis ſaid beneath dureſs per minas. For we're in peril of our ſouls From feathers, tar and lib'rty-poles: And vows extorted are not binding In law, and ſo not worth the minding For we have in this hurly-burly Sent off our conſciences on furlow, Thrown our religion o'er in form; Our ſhip to lighten in the ſtorm. Nor need we bluſh your Whigs before; If we've no virtue you've no more. Yet black with ſins, would ſtain a mitre, Rail ye at crimes by ten tims whiter, And ſtuff'd with choler atrabilious, Inſult us here for peccadilloes? While all your vices run ſo high That mercy ſcarce could find ſupply: While ſhould you offer to repent, You'd need more faſting days than Lent, More groans than haunted churchyard vallies, And more confeſſions than bread-alleys. I'll ſhow you all at fitter time, The extent and greatneſs of your crime▪ And here demonſtrate to your face, Your want of virtue, as of grace, Evinced from topics old and recent: But thus much muſt ſuffice at preſent. To th' after-portion of the day, I leave what more remains to ſay; When I've good hope you'll all appear, More fitted and prepared to hear, And griev'd for all your vile demeanour: But now 'tis time t' adjourn for dinner." END OF CANTO FIRST.

M'FINGAL: CANTO SECOND, OR THE TOWN-MEETING, P. M. THE Sun, who never 〈◊〉 to dine, Two hours had paſs'd • he midway line, And driving at his uſual rate; Laſh'd on his downward car of ſtate. And now expired the ſhort vacation, And dinner done in epic faſhion; While all the crew beneath the trees, Eat pocket-pies, or bread and cheeſe; Nor ſhall we, like old Homer care To verſify their bill of fare, For now each party, ſeaſted well, Throng'd in, like ſheep, at ſound of bell, With equal ſpirit took their places; And meeting oped with three Oh yeſſes: When firſt the daring Whigs t' oppoſe, Again the great M'Fingal roſe, Stretch'd magiſterial arm ama • n, And thus aſſum'd th' accuſing ſtrain. "Ye Whigs attend, and hear affrighted The crimes whereof ye ſtand indicted, The ſins and follies paſt all compaſs, That prove you guilty or non compos. I leave the verdict to your ſenſes, And jury of your conſciences; Which tho' they're neither good nor true, Muſt yet convict you and your crew, Ungrateful ſons! a factious band, That riſe againſt your parent-land! Ye viper'd race, that burſt in ſtrife, The welcome womb, that gave you life, Tear with ſharp fangs and forked tongue, Th' indulgent bowels, whence you ſprung; And ſcorn the debt of obligation You juſtly owe the Britiſh nation, Which ſince you cannot pay, your crew Affect to ſwear 'twas never due, Did not the deeds of England's Primate Firſt drive your fathers to this climate, Whom jails and ſines and ev'ry ill Forc'd to their good againſt their will? Ye owe to their obliging temper The peopling your new tangled empire, While ev'ry Britiſh act and canon Stood forth • ou cauſa ſine qua no • . Did they not ſend you charters 〈◊〉 , And give you lands you own'd before, Permit you all to ſpill your blood, And drive out heathen where you could▪ On theſe mild terms, that conqueſt won, The realm you gain'd ſhould be their own. Or when of late attack'd by thoſe, Whom her connection made your foes, Did they not then, diſtreſt in war, Send Gen'rals to your help from far, Whoſe aid you own'd in terms leſs haughty, And thankfully o'erpaid your quota? Say, at what period did they grudge To ſend you Governor or judge, With all their miſſionary crew, To teach you 〈◊〉 and goſpel too? Brought o'er all felons in the nation, To help you on in population; Propoſ'd their Biſhops to ſurrender, And made their Prieſts a legal tender, Who only aſk'd in ſurplice clad, The ſimple ty the of all you had: And now to keep all knaves in awe, Have ſent their troops t' eſtabliſh law, And with gunpowder, fire and ball, Reform your people one and all. Yet when their inſolence and pride Have anger'd all the world beſide, When fear and want at once invade, Can you refuſe to lend them aid; And rather riſq • e your heads in fight, Than gratefully throw in your mite? Can they for debts make ſatisfaction, Should they diſpoſe their realm by auction; And fell off Britain's goods and land all To France and Spain by inch of candle? Shall good king George, w • th want oppreſt, Inſert his name in bankrupt liſt, And ſhut up ſhop, like failing merchant, That ſears the bailiffs ſhould make ſearch in't; With poverty ſhall princes ſtrive, And nobles lack whereon to live? Have they not rack'd their whole inventions, To feed their brats on poſts and penſions, Made ev'n Scotch friends with taxes groan, And pick'd poor Ireland to the bone; Yet have on hand as well deſerving, Ten thouſand baſtards left for ſtarving? And can you now with conſcience clear, Refuſe them an aſylum here, Or not maintain in manner ſitting, Theſe genuine ſons of mother Britain? 〈◊〉 • vade theſe crimes of blackeſt grain, You prate of liberty in vain, And ſtrive to hide your vile deſigns, With terms abſtruſe like ſchool-divines. Your boaſted patriotiſm is ſcarce, And country's love is but a farce; And after all the proofs you bring, We Tories know there's no ſuch thing. Our Engliſh writers of great fame Prove public virtue but a name. Hath notMiniſterial Penſioners. Dalrymple ſhow'd in print, AndMiniſterial Penſioners. Johnſon too, there's nothing in't? Produc'd you demonſtration ample From other's and their own example, That ſelf is ſtill, in either faction, The only principle of action; The loadſtone, whoſe attracting t • ther Keeps the politic world together: And ſpite of all your double-dealing, We Tories know 'tis ſo, by feeling. Who heeds your babbling of tranſmitting Freedom to 〈◊〉 of your begetting, Or will proceed as though there were a tie, Or obligation to poſterity? We get 'em, bear 'em, bre • d and nurſe; What has poſter'ty done for us, That we, leſt they their rights ſhould loſe Should truſt our necks to gripe of • ooſe? And who believes you will not run? You're cowards, ev'ry mother's ſon; And ſhould you offer to deny, We've 〈◊〉 to prove it by. 〈◊〉 th' opinion firſt, as refer • e, 〈◊〉 your old Gen'ral, ſtout Sir Jeffery, Who ſwore that with five thouſand foot He'd rout you all, and in purſuit, Run thro' the land as eaſily, As camel thro' a needle's eye. Did not the valiant Col'nel Grant Againſt your courage make his ſlant, Affirm your univerſal failure In ev'ry principle of valour, And ſwear no ſcamp'rers e'er could match you, So ſwift, a bullet ſcarce could catch you? And will ye not confeſs in this, A judge moſt competent he is, Well ſkill'd on runnings to decide, As what himſelf has often tried? 'Twoul • not methinks be labour loſt, If you'd ſit down and count the coſt; And ere you call your Yankies out, Firſt think what work you've ſet about. Have ye not rouz'd, his force to try on, That grim old beaſt, the Britiſh lion? And know you not that at a ſup He's large enough to eat you up? Have you ſurvey'd his jaws beneath, Drawn inventories of his teeth, Or have you weigh'd in even balance His ſtrength and magnitude of talons? His roar would turn your boaſts to fear, As eaſily as ſour ſmall-beer, And make your feet from dreadful fray, By native inſtinct▪ run away. Britain, depend on't, will take on her T' aſſert her dignity and honor, And ere ſhe'd loſe your ſhare of pelf, Deſtroy your country and herſelf. For has not North declar'd they fight To gain ſubſtantial rev'nue by't, Denied he'd ever deign to treat, Till on your knees and at his feet? And feel you not a triſling ague, From Van's Delenda eſt Carthago? For this, now Britain has come to't, Think you ſhe has not means to do't? Has ſhe not ſet to work all engines To ſpirit up the native Indians, Send on your backs a ſavage band, With each a hatchet in his hand, T' amuſe themſelves with ſcalping knives, And butcher children and your wives; That ſhe may boaſt again with vanity, Her Engliſh national humanity? (For now in its p •• maeval ſenſe, This term, human'ty, comprehends All things of which, on this fide hell, The human mind is capable; And thus 'tis well, by writers ſage, Applied to Britain and to Gage.) And on this work to raiſe allies, She ſent her duplicate of Guys, To drive, at diff • rent parts at once, on Her ſtout Guy Carlton and Guy Johnſon; To each of whom, to ſend again ye Old Guy of Warwick were a ninny; Tho' the dun cow he fell'd in war, Theſe killcows are his betters far. And has ſhe not aſſay'd her notes, To rouze your ſlaves to cut your throats, Sent o'er ambaſſadors with • uineas, To bribe your blacks in Carolinas? And has not Ga •• , her miſſionary Turn'd many an 〈…〉 a Tory, A •• made 〈◊〉 Amer'can 〈◊〉 see grow, By 〈◊〉 a new converted Negro? As friends to gov'rnment did not he Their ſlaves at Boſton late ſet free; Enliſt them all in black parade, Set off with regimental red? And were they not accounted then Among his very braveſt men? And when ſuch means ſhe ſtoops to take, Think you ſhe is not wide awake? As Eliphaz' good man in Job Own'd num'rous allies thro' the globe; Had brought the The ſtones and all the elements wi • h thee Shall ratify a ſtrict confed'racy; Wild beaſts their ſavage temper shall forget, And for a firm alliance with thee 〈◊〉 : &c. Blackmore's Paraphraſe 〈◊〉 . ſto • es along the ſtreet To ratify a cov'nant meet, And ev'ry beaſt from lice to lions, To join in leagues of ſtrict alliance: Has ſhe not cring'd, in ſpite of pride, For like aſſiſtance for and wide? Was there a creature ſo deſpiſ'd, Its and ſhe has not ſought and priz'd? Till all this formidable league roſe Of Indians, Britiſh troops and Negroes, And can you break theſe triple bands By all your workmanſhip of hands?" " Sir, quoth Honorius, we preſume You gueſs from paſt feats, what's to come, And from • he mighty deeds of Gage, Foretell how fierce the war he'll wage. You doubtleſs recollected here The annals of his firſt great year: While wearying out the Tories' patience, He ſpent his breath in proclamations; While all hi • mighty noiſe and vapour Was uſed in wrangling upon paper; And boaſted military 〈◊〉 ; Cloſed in the ſtraining of his wits; While troops in Boſton commons plac'd Laid nought but quires of paper waſ • e; While ſtrokes alternate ſtu •• • 'd • he nation, Proteſt, addreſs and proclamation; And ſpeech • et ſpeech, 〈◊〉 claſh'd wi • h fib, And Gage ſtill anſwer'd, ſquib for ſquib, Tho' this not all his time was loſt on; He fortified the town of Boſton; Built breaſt works that might l • nd aſſiſtance To keep the patriots at a diſtance; (For howſoe'er the rogues might 〈◊〉 , He liked them beſt the ſaith 〈◊〉 off) Of mighty uſe and help to 〈◊〉 His courage, when 〈…〉 , And whence • ight oft in 〈◊〉 ſtation, He'd boldly pop his proclamation. Our hearts muſt in our bo •• me •• eeze At ſuch heroic deeds as theſe." "Vain, quoth the 'Squire, you'll find to 〈◊〉 At Gage's firſt triumphant your; For Providence, diſp ••• d to 〈◊〉 us, Can uſe what inſtruments it pleaſe • To pay a tax at Peter's wiſh, His chief caſhier was once a Fiſh; An Aſs, in • alaam's ſad diſaſter, Turn'd orator and ſav'd hi • maſter; A Gooſe plac'd centry on his 〈◊〉 Preſerv'd old Rome from deſolation; An Engliſh Biſhop'sSee Bishop 〈…〉〈◊〉 of late Diſcloſed rebellions 'gainſt the ſtate; So Frogs croak'd Pharaoh to repentance, And Lice revers'd the threat'ning ſentence: And heav'n can ruin you at pleaſure, By our ſcorn'd Gage, as well as Caeſar. Yet did our hero in theſe days Pick up ſome laurel wreaths of praiſe. And as the ſtatuary of Seville Made his crackt ſaint an exc'llent devil; So tho' our war few triumphs brings, We gain'd great ſame in other things. Did not our troops ſhow much diſcerning, And ſkill your various arts in learning? Outwent they not each native Noodle By far in playing Yanky-doodle; Which, as 'twas your New-England tune; 'Twas marvellous they took ſo ſoon? And ere the year was fully thro', Did not they learn to • oot it too; And ſuch a dance as ne'er was known, For twenty miles on end lead down? Was there a Yanky trick you knew, They did not play as well as you? Did they not lay their heads together, And gain your art to tar and feather, When Col'nel Neſbitt thro' the town, In triumph bore the country-clown? Oh, what a glorious work to ſing The ve • 'ran troops of Britain's king, Advent'ring for th' heroic laurel, With bag of feathers and tar-barrel 〈◊〉 To paint the cart where culprits ride, And Neſbitt marching at its ſide, Great executioner and proud, Like hangman high on Holbourn road; And o'er the bright triumpha • car The waving enſigns of the war! As when a triumph Rome decreed, For great Calig'la's valiant deed, Who had ſubdued the Britiſh ſeas, By gath' • ing cockles from their baſe; In pompous • ar the conqu'ror bore His captiv'd ſcallops from the ſhore, Ovations gain'd his crabs for fetching, And mighty ſeats of oyſter-catching: O'er Yankies thus the war begun, They tarr'd and triumph'd over one; And ſought and boaſted thro' the ſeaſon, With might as great, and equal reaſon. Y •• thus, tho' ſkill'd in vict'ry's toils, They boaſt, not unexpert, in wiles. For gain'd they not an equal ſame in The arts of f • crecy and ſcheming? In ſtratagems ſhow'd mighty force, And moderniz'd the Trojan horſe, Play'd o'er again thoſe tricks Ulyſſea • , In their fam'd Salem-expedition? For as that horſe, the Poets tell ye, Bore Grecian armies in his belly; Till their full reck'ning run, with joy Their Sinon midwif'd them in Troy: So in one ſhip was Leſlie bold Cramm'd with three hundred men in hold, Equipp'd for enterprize and ſail, Like Jonas ſtow'd in womb of whale. To Marblehead in depth of night, The cautious veſſel wing'd her flight. And now the ſabbath's ſilent day Call'd all your Yankies off to pray; Remov'd each prying jealous neighbour, The ſcheme and veſſel fell in labour; Forth from its hollow womb pour'd haſtily The Myrmidons of Col'n • l Leſlie: Not thicker o'er the blacken'd ſtrand TheSee Homer's battle of the frogs and mice. frogs' detachment ruſh'd to land, Equipp'd by onſet or ſurprize To ſtorm th' entrenchment of the mice. Thro' Salem ſtrait without delay, The bold battalion took its way, March'd o'er a bridge in open ſight Of ſev'ral Yankies arm'd for fight, Then without loſs of time, or men Veer'd round for Boſton back again; And found ſo well their projects thrive, That ev'ry ſoul got home alive. Thus Gage's arms did fortune bleſs With triumph, ſafety and ſucceſs: But mercy is without diſpute His first and darling attribute; So great it far outwent and conquer'd His military ſkill at Concord. There when the war he choſe to wage Shone the benevolence of Gage; Sent troops to that ill-omen'd place On errands meer of ſpecial grace, And all the work he choſe them for Was toSee Gage's anſwer to Governor Trumbull. prevent a civil war: And for that purpoſe he projected The only certain way t' effect it, To take your powder, ſtores and arms, And all your means of doing harms: As prudent folks take knives away, Leſt children cut themſelves at play. And yet tho' this was all his ſcheme, This war you ſtill will charge on him; And tho' he oft has ſwore and ſaid it, Stick cloſe to facts and give no credit. Think you, he wiſh'd you'd brave and beard him? Why, 'twas the very thing that ſcar'd him. He'd rather you ſhould all have run, Than ſtay'd to fire a ſingle gun. And for the civil war you lament, Faith, you yourſelves muſt take the blame in't; For had you then, as he intended, Giv'n up your arms, it muſt have ended. Since that's no war, each mortal knows, Where one ſide only gives the blows, And th' other bears 'em; on reflection The moſt you' •• call it is correction. Nor could the conteſt have gone higher, If you had ne'er return'd the fire; But when you ſhot, and not before, It then commenc'd a civil war. Elſe Gage, to end this controverſy, Had but corrected you in mercy: Whom mother Britain old and wiſe, Sent o'er, the Col'nies to chaſtiſe; Command obedience on their peril Of miniſterial whip and ferule; And ſince they ne'er muſt come of age, Govern'd and tutor'd them by Gage. Still more, that this was all their errand, The army's conduct makes apparent. What tho' at Lexington you can ſay They kil • 'd a few they did not fancy, At Concord then, with manful popping, Diſcharg'd a round the ball to open? Yet when they ſaw your rebel-rout Determin'd ſtill to hold it out; Did they not ſhow their love to peace, And wiſh, that diſcord ſtrait might ceaſe, Demonſtrate, and by proofs uncommon, Their orders were to injure no man? For did not ev'ry Reg'lar run As ſoon as e'er you fir'd a gun; Take the firſt ſhot you ſent them greeting, As meant their ſignal for retreating; And fearful if they ſtaid for ſport, You might by accident be hurt, Convey themſelves with ſpeed away Full twenty miles in half a day; Race till their legs were grown ſo weary, They'd ſcarce ſuffice their weight to carry? Whence Gage extols, from gen'ral hearſay, The great

"Too much praiſe cannot be given to Lord Percy for his remarkable activity thro' the whole day."

Gage' • account of the Lexington battle.

activ'ty of Lord Piercy; Whoſe brave example led them on, And ſpirited the troops to run; And now may boaſt at royal levees A Yanky-chace worth forty Chevys. Yet you as vile as they were kind, Purſued, like tygers, ſtill behind, Fir'd on them at your will, and ſhut The town, as tho' you'd ſtarve them out; And with

" And with a prepoſterous parade of military arrangement they affect to • old the army beſieged."

Gage's laſt grand proclamation.

parade prepoſt' rous hedg'd A ••• ct to hold them there beſieg'd; (Tho' Gage, whom proclamations call Your Gov'r ••• and Vice-Admiral, Whoſe pow'r gubernatorial ſtill Extends as far as Bunker's hill; Whoſe admiralty reaches clever, Near half a mile up Myſtic river, Whoſe naval force commands the ſeat, Can run away when'er he pleaſe) Scar'd troops of Tories into town, And burnt their hay and houſes down, And menac'd Gage, unleſs he'd flee, To drive him headlong to the ſea; As once, to faithleſs Jews a ſign, The de'el, turn'd hog-reeve, did the ſwine, But now your triumphs all are o'er; For ſee from Britain's angry ſhore With mighty ho •• s of valour join Her Howe, her Clinton and Burgoyne. As comets thro' the affrighted ſkies Pour baleful ruin, as they rife; As AE 〈◊〉 with infernal roar In conflagration ſweeps the ſhore; Or asHe was a repreſentative of 〈◊〉 field, and employed • o carry their 〈◊〉 town reſolves to Boſton. He armed himſelf in as 〈…〉 military array, as another Hud • bra • , 〈◊〉 he was afraid he should be robb'd of them. Abi •• h White when ſent Our Marſhfield friends to repreſent, Himſelf while dread array involves, Commiſſions, 〈◊〉 , ſwords, reſolves, In awful pomp deſcending down, Bore terror on the factious town: Not wi • h leſs 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 theſe Gen • rals • orth to fight. No more each 〈◊〉 This was a fact Some British officers, ſoon after Gage's arrival in Boſton, walking on Beacon-H • ll after ſunſet, were affrighted by noiſes in the air (ſuppoſed to be the flying of bugs and 〈◊〉 ) which they took to be the ſound of bullets, and left the 〈◊〉 with great precipitation: Concerning which they wrote terrible accounts to England of their being shot at with 〈◊〉 ; as appears by one or two 〈◊〉 , extracts, from which were published in the English 〈◊〉 . Col'nel run. From w •• zzing beetles, as air- 〈◊〉 , Thinks hornbugs bullets, or thro' ſcars Muſkitoes takes for muſketeers; Nor ſcapes, as tho' you'd gain'd allies From B • lz • bub's whole hoſt of flies. No bug their warlike hearts appalls; They better know the • ound of balls. I hear the di • of battle bray, The trump of horror marks its way. I ſee a far the ſack of 〈◊〉 , The gallows ſtrung with Whig-committees; Your Moderators triced, like 〈◊〉 , And gate-poſts graced with heads of Chairmen; Your Gen'rals ſor wave-o •• rings hanging, And ladders throng'd with Prieſts haranguing. Wh •• pill • ries glad the Tories' eyes With patriot- 〈◊〉 • or ſacrifice! What whipping-poſts your chosen race Admit 〈◊〉 in embrace, While each hears off his crimes, 〈◊〉 ! Like Bunyan's pilgrim, on his back! Where then, when To ies ſcarce got clear, Shall Whigs and Congreſſes appear? What rock, and mountains ſhall you call To wrap you over with their fall, And ſave your heads in theſe ſad weathers, From fire and ſword, and tar and feathers For • o, with Britiſh troops 〈◊〉 , Again our Ne ••• t heaves in 〈◊〉 : He comes, he comes, your 〈◊〉 to ſtorm, And ri • g your troops in uniform! To m •• t ſuch 〈◊〉 will ye 〈◊〉 , With 〈…〉 ; Who wield their 〈…〉 , With 〈…〉 ! 〈◊〉 , where 〈…〉 brings Destruction on 〈…〉 , While thro' the deeps her potent thunder Shall ſound th' alarm to rob and plunder! As Phoebus firſt, ſo Homer ſpeaks, When he march'd out t' attack the Greeks, Gainſt 〈◊〉 ſent forth his arrows fatal, And ſlow th' auxiliaries, their cattle; So where our ſhips ſhall ſtretch the keel, What conquer'd oxen ſhall they ſteal! What heroes riſing from the deep Invade your marſhall'd hoſts of ſheep! Diſperſe whole troops of horſe, and preſſing Make cows ſurrender at diſcretion; Attack your hens, like Alexanders, And reg'ments rout of geeſe and ganders; Or where united arms combine Lead captive many a herd of ſwine! Then ruſh in dreadful fury down To fire on ev'ry seaport town; Diſplay their glory and their wits, Fright unar •• 'd children into ſits, And ſtoutly from th' unequal fray, Make many a woman run away! And can ye doubt whene'er we pleaſe Our chiefs ſhall boaſt ſuch deeds as theſe Have we not chiefs tranſcending far, The old fam'd thunderbolts of war; Beyond the brave romantic fighters, Stiled ſwords of death by novel-writers? Nor in romancing ages e'er roſe So terrible a tier of heroes. From Gage, what flaſhes fright the waves! How loud a blunderbuſs is Graves! How Newport dreads the bluſtring ſallies, That thunder from our popgun, Wallace, While noiſe in formidable ſtrains Spouts from his thimble-full of brains! I ſee you ſink with aw'd ſurprize! I ſee our Tory-brethren riſe! And as the ſect'ries Sandemanian, Our friends deſcribe their wiſh'd Millennium; Tell how the world in ev'ry region At once ſhall own their true religion; For heav'n with plagues of awful dread Shall knock all heretics o' th' head; And then their church, the meek in ſpirit, The earth, as promis'd, ſhall inherit, From the dead wicked, as heirs male, And next remainder-men in tail: Such ruin ſhall the Whigs oppreſs! Such ſpoils our Tory friends ſhall bleſs! While Conſiſcation at command Shall ſtalk in horror thro' the land, Shall give your Whig-eſtates away, And call our brethren into play. And can ye doubt or ſcruple more, Theſe things are near you at the door? Behold! for tho' to reaſ'ning blind, Signs of the times ye ſure might mind, And view impending ſate as plain As ye'd foretell a ſhow'r of rain. Hath not heav'n warn'd you what muſt enſue, And Providence declar'd againſt you; Hung forth its dire portents of war, BySuch ſtories of prodigies were at that time induſtriouſly propagated by the Tory-patty in various parts of New-England, to terrify and intimidate the ſuperſtitious. ſigns and beacons in the air; Alarm'd old women all around By fearful noiſes under ground; While earth for many dozen leagues Groan'd with her diſmal load or Whigs? Was there a meteor far and wide But muſter'd on the Tory-ſide? A ſtar malign that has not bent Its aſpects for the Parliament, Foreboding your defeat and miſery; As once they ſought againſt old Siſera? Was there a cloud that ſpread the ſkies, But bore our armies of allies? While dreadful hoſts of fire ſtood forth 'Mid baleful glimm'rings from the North; Which plainly ſhows which part they join'd, For North's the miniſter, ye mind; Whence oft your quibblers in gazettes On Northern blaſts have ſtrain'd their wits; And think ye not the clouds know how To make the pun as well as you? Did there ariſe an apparition, But grinn'd ſorth ruin to ſedition? A death-watch, but has join'd our leagues, And click'd deſtruction to the Whigs? Heard ye not, when the wind was fair, At night our or'tors in the air, That, loud as admiralty-libel, Read awful chapters from the bible, And death and deviltry denounc'd, And told you how you'd ſoon be trounc'd? I ſee to join our conqu'ring ſide Heav'n, earth and hell at once allied! See from your overthrow and end The Tories paradiſe aſcend; Like that new world that claims its ſtation Beyond the final conflagration! I ſee the day that lo • s your ſhare In utter darkneſs and deſpair; The day of joy, when North, our Lord, His ſaithful favorites ſhall reward! No Tory then ſhall ſet before him Small wiſh of 'Squire, or Juſtice Quo ••• : But 'fore his unmiſtaken eyes See Lordſhips, poſts and penſions • i • e. A wake to gladneſs then, ye Tories, Th' unbounce • proſpect lies before us? The pow'r diſplayed in Gage's banners Shall cut Amer'can lands to manors, And o'er our happy conquer'd ground Diſpenſe eſtates and titles round. Behold, the world ſhall ſtare at new ſetts Of home-madeSee Hutchinſon's and Oliver's letters. earls in Maſſachuſetts; Admire, array'd in ducal taſſels, Your Ol'vers, Hutchinſons and Vaſſals; See join'd in minſterial work His grace of Albany and York! What Lordſhips from each carv'd eſtate, On our New-York Aſſembly wait! What titledMembers of the miniſterial Majority in the New-York aſſembly; Wilkins a noted writer. Jaun • vs, Gales and Bi •• ops; Lord Bruſh, Lord Wilkins and Lord Philips! In wide-ſleev'd pomp of godly guiſe, What ſolemn • ows of biſhops riſe! Aloft a card'nal's hat is ſpread O'er punſterPreſident Cooper is a notorious punſter: Vardell, author of ſome poetical ſatires on the ſons of liberty in New-York, and royal profeſſor in King's college; Chandler and Auch ••• y, High-church and Tory-writers of the Cleri • al order. Cooper's rev'rend head! In Vardel' hat poetic zealot, I view a lawn-bedizen'd prelate! While mitres fall, as 'tis their duty, On heads of Chandler and Auchmuty! Knights, viſcounts, barons ſhall ye meet As thick as pavements in the ſtreet! Ev'n I perhaps, heav'n ſpeed my claim, Shall fix a Sir before my name. For titles all our foreheads ache; For what bleſt changes can they make! Place rev'rence, grace and excellence Where neither claim'd the leaſt pretence; Transform by patent's magic words Men, likeſt devils, into Lords; Whence commoners to peers tranſlated Are juſtly ſaid to be created! Now where commiſſioners ye ſaw Shall boards of nobles deal you law! Long-rob'd comptrollers judge your rights, And tide-waiters ſtart up in knights! While Whigs ſubdued in ſlaviſh awe, Our wood ſhall hew, our water draw, And bleſs that mildneſs, when paſt hope, Which ſav'd their necks from nooſe of rope, For as to gain aſſiſtance we Deſign their Negroes to ſet free; For Whigs, when we enough ſhall bang 'em, Perhaps 'tis better not to hang 'em; Except their chiefs; the vulgar knaves Will do more good preſerv'd for ſlaves." "'Tis well, Honorius cried, your ſcheme Has painted out a pretty dream. We can't confute your ſecond ſight; We ſhall be ſlaves and you a knight: Theſe things muſt come: but I divine They'll come not in your day, or mine. But oh, my friends, my brethren, hear, And turn for once th' attentive ear. Ye ſee how prompt to aid our woes, The tender mercies of our foes; Ye ſee wi • h what unvaried rancour • till for our blood their minions hanker, Nor aught can ſate their mad ambition, From us, but death, or worſe, ſubmiſſion. Shall theſe then riot in our ſpoil, Reap the glad harveſt of our toil, Riſe from their country's ruin proud, And roll their chariot wheels in blood? And can ye ſleep while high out ſpread Hangs deſolation o'er your head? See Gage with inauſpicious ſtar Has oped the gates of civil war; When ſtreams of gore from freemen ſlain, E •• rimſon'd Concord's fatal plain; Whoſe warning voice with awful ſound, Still cries, like Abel's from the ground, And heav'n, attentive to its call, Shall doom the proud oppreſſor's • all. Riſe then, ere ruin 〈◊〉 ſurprize, To victory, to vengeance riſe! Hark, how the diſtant din alarms! The echoing trumpet breathes, to arms; From provinces remote, afar, The ſons of glory rouze to war; 'Tis freedom calls; th' enraptur'd ſound The Apalachian hills rebound; The Georgian ſhores her voice ſhall hear, And ſtart from lethargies of fear. From the parch'd zone, with glowing ray, Where pours the ſun intenſer day, To ſhores where icy waters roll, And tremble to the duſky pole, Inſpir'd by freedom's heav'nly charms, United nations wake to arms. The ſtar of conqueſt lights their way, And guides their vengeance on their prey— Yes, tho' tyrannic ſorce oppoſe, Still ſhall they triumph o'er their ſoes, Fill heav'n the happy land ſhall bleſs, Wi • h ſafety, liberty and peace. And ye whoſe ſouls of daſtard mould Start at the brav'ry of the bold; To love your country who pretend, Yet want all ſpirit to defend; Who feel your fancies ſo prolific, Engend'ring viſion'd whims terrific, O'er-run with horrors of coercion, Fire, blood and thunder in reverſion, King's ſtandards, pill'ries, confiſcations, And Gage's ſcarecrow proclamations, With all the trumpery of fear; Hear bullets whizzing in your rear; Who ſcarce could rouze, if caught in fray, Preſence of mind to run away; See nought but halters riſe to view In all your dreams (and dreams are true) And while theſe phantoms haunt your brains, Bow down the willing neck to chains; Heav'ns! are ye ſons of ſires ſo great, Immortal in the fields of fate, Who brav'd all deaths by land or ſea, Who bled, who conquer'd to be free! Hence, coward ſouls, the worſt diſgrace Of our forefathers' valiant race; Hie homeward from the glorious field; There turn the wheel, the diſtaff wield; Act what ye are, nor dare to ſtain The warrior's arms with touch profane: There beg your more heroic wives To guard your children and your lives; Beneath their aprons find a ſcreen, Nor dare to mingle more with men." As thus he ſaid, the Tories' anger Could now reſtrain itſelf no longer, Who tried before by many a freak, or Inſulting noiſe, to ſtop the ſpeaker; Swung th' unoil'd hinge of each pew-door; Their feet kept ſhuffling on the floor; Made their diſapprobation known By many a murmur, hum and groan, That to his ſpeech ſupplied the place Of counterpart in thorough-baſe: As bag-pipes, while the tune they breathe, Still drone and grumble underneath; Or as the ſam'd Demoſthenes Harangued the rumbling of the ſeas, H • ld forth with eloquence full grave To audience loud of wind and wave; And had a ſtiller congregation Than Tories are to hear th' oration. But now the ſtorm grew high and louder As nearer thundrings of a cloud are, And ev'ry ſoul with heart and voice Supplied his quota of the noiſe; 〈◊〉 ••• ning • ar was ſet on torture Each • ory bell' wing out, to order; And ſome, with tongue not low or weak, Were clam'ring faſt, for leave to ſpeak; The moderator, with great vi' • ence, The cuſhion thump'd with "Silence, ſilence;" The conſtable to ev'ry prater Bawl'd out, " Pray hear the moderator;" Some call'd the vote, and ſome in turn Were screaming high, " adjourn, adjourn:" Not cha • s heard ſuch • ars and claſhes When • ll the el'ments ſought for places. Each bludgeon ſoon for 〈…〉 ; Each 〈◊〉 ſtood ready 〈…〉 ; The ſtorm each moment louder grew; His ſword the great M'Ti ••• dr • w, Prepar'd in either chance to ſhare, To keep the peace, or aid the war. Nor lack'd they each poetic being, Whom bards alone are ſkill'd in ſecing; Plumb'd Victory ſtood perch'd on high, Upon the pulpit-canopy, To join, as is her cuſtom tried, Like Indians, on the ſtrongeſt ſide; The Deſtinies with ſhears and diſtaf • , Drew near their threads of life to twiſt off; The Furies 'gan to feaſt on blows, And broken heads or bloody noſe; When on a ſudden from without Aroſe a loud terrific ſhout; And ſtrait the people all at once heard Of tongues an univerſal concert; Like AEſop's times, as ſable runs, When ev'ry creature talk'd at once, Or like the variegated gabble That craz'd the carpenters of Babel, Each party ſoon forgot the quarrel, And let the other go on parole; Eager to know what fearful matter Had conjur'd up ſuch gen'ral clatter; And left the church in thin array, As tho' it had been lecture-day. Our 'Squire M'Fingal ſtraitway beckon • d The conſtable to ſtand his ſecond, And ſallied forth with aſpect fierce The croud aſſembled to diſperſe. The moderator out of view Beneath a bench had lain p • rdue; Peep'd up his head to view the •• ay, Beheld the wranglers run away, And left alone with ſolemn face, Adjourn'd them without time or place. END OF CANTO SECOND.

M 'FINGAL: CANTO THIRD, OR THE LIBERTY POLE. NOW arm'd with miniſterial ire, Fierce ſallied forth our loyal 'Squire, And on his ſtriding ſteps attends, His deſp'rate clan of Tory friends; When ſudden met his angry eye, A pole, aſcending thro' the ſky, Which num'rous throngs of Whiggiſh race Were raiſing in the market-place; Not higher ſchool-boys kites aſpire, Or royal maſ • or country ſpire, Like ſpears at 〈◊〉 tilting Or Satan's walking-ſtaff in Milton; And on its top the flag unfurl'd, Waved triumph o'er the proſtrate world, Inſcribed with inconſiſtent types Of liberty and thirteen ſtripes. Beneath, the croud without delay, The dedication-rites eſſay, And gladly pay in antient faſhion, The ceremonies of libation; While briſkly to each patriot lip Walks eager round th' inſpiring f • ip: Delicious draught, whoſe pow'rs inherit The quinteſſence of public ſpirit! Which whoſo taſtes, perceives his mind! To nobler politics refined, Or rouz'd for martial controverſy, As from transforming cups of Circe; Or warm'd with Homer's nectar'd liquor, That fill'd the veins of gods with ichor. At hand for new ſupplies in ſtore, The tavern opes its friendly door, Whence to and fro the waiters run, Like bucket-men at fires in town. Then with three ſhouts that tore the ſky, 'Tis conſecrate to Liberty; To guard it from th' attacks of Tories, A grand committee cull'd of four is, Who foremoſt on the patriot ſpot, Had brought the flip and paid the ſhot. By this, M'Fingal with his train, Advanc'd upon th' adjacent plain, And fierce with loyal rage poſſeſs'd, Pour'd forth the zeal, that fired his breaſt. " What madbrain'd rebel gave commiſſion, To raiſe this Maypole of fedition! Like Babel rear'd by bawling throngs, With like confuſion too of tongues, To point at heav'n and ſummon down, The thunders of the Britiſh crown? Say will this paltry pole ſecure Your forfeit heads from Gage's pow'r? Attack'd by heroes brave and crafty, Is this to ſtand your ark of ſafety? Or driv'n by Scottiſh laird and laddie, Think ye to reſt beneath its ſhadow? When bombs, like fiery ſerpents, fly And balls move hiſſing thro' the ſky, Will this vile 〈◊〉 , devote to freedom, Save like the • ewiſh pole in Edom, Or like the brazen ſnake of Moſes, Cure your crackt ſkulls and batter'd noſes? Ye dupes to ev'ry factious rogue, Or tavernprating demagogue, Whoſe tongue but rings, with ſound more full, On th' empty drumhead of his ſkull, Behold you know not what noiſy fools Uſe you, worſe ſimpletons, for tools? For Liberty in your own by-ſenſe Is but for crimes a patent licence; To break of law th' Egyptian yoke, And throw the world in common ſtock, Reduce all grievances and ills To Magna Charta of your wills, Eſtabliſh cheats and frauds and nonſenſe, Fram'd by the model of your conſcience, Cry juſtice down, as out of faſhion And fix its ſcale of depreciation, Defy all creditors to trouble ye, And paſs new years of Jewiſh jubilee; Drive judges out, like Aaron's calves, By juriſdictions of white ſ • aves, And make the bar and benc • and ſteeple, Submit t' our ſov'reign Lord, the People; Aſſure each knave his whole aſſets, By gen'ral amneſty of debts; By plunder riſe to pow'r and glory, And brand all property as tory; Expoſe all wares to lawful ſeizures Of mobbers and monopolizers; Break heads and windows and the peace, For your own int'reſt and increaſe; Diſpute and pray and fight and groan, For public good, and mean your own; Prevent the laws, by fierce attacks, From quitting ſcores upon your backs, Lay your old dread, the gallows, low, And ſeize the ſtocks your antient foe; And turn them, as convenient engines To wreak your patriotic vengeance; While all, your claims who underſtand, Confeſs they're in the owner's hand • And when by clamours and confuſions, Your freedom's grown a public nuiſance, Cry, Liberty, with pow'rful yearning, As he does, fire, whoſe houſe is burning, Tho' he already has much more, Than he can find occaſion for. While ev'ry dunce, that turns the plains Tho' bankrupt in eſtate and brains, By this new light transform'd to traitor, Forſakes his plow to turn dictator, Starts an haranguing chief of Whigs, And drags you by the ears, like pigs. All bluſter arm'd with factious licence, Transform'd at once to politicians; 〈◊〉 leather-aproa'd clown grown wiſe, Preſents his forward face t' adviſe, And 〈◊〉 legiſlators meet From ev'ry workſhop thro' the ſtreet; His gooſe the tailor finds new uſe in, To patch and turn the conſtitution; The black ſmith comes with ſledge and grate, To • onbind the wheels of ſtate; The quack forbears his patient's ſouſe, To purge the Council and the Houſe, The tinker quits his melds and doxies, To eaſt aſſembly-men at proxies. From dunghills deep of ſable hue, Your dirtbred patriots ſpring to view, To wealth and pow'r and penſion riſe, Like new-wing'd maggots chang'd to flies; And ſluttring round in proud parade, Strut in the robe, or gay cockade. SeeArnold's perjuries at the time of his pretended bankruptcy, which was the firſt riſe of his fortune, and his curious law ſuit againſt a brother-skipper, who had charged him with having caught the abovementioned diſeaſe, by his connection with a certain African princeſs in the Weſt-Indies, with its humorous iſſue, are matters, not I believe ſo generally known, as the other circumſtances of his public and private character. Arnold quits for ways more certain, His bankrupt perj'ries for his fortune, Brews rum no longer in his ſtore, Jockey and ſkipper now no more; Forſakes his warehouſes and docks, And writs of ſlander for the po • , And purg'd by patriotiſm from ſhame, Grows Gen'ral of the foremoſt name. M'Fingal having here inſerted the names and characters of ſeveral great men, whom the public have not yet fully detected, it is thought proper to omit ſundry paragraphs of his ſpeech, in the preſent edition. Hiatus. For in this ferment of the ſtream, The dregs have work'd up to the brim, And by the rule of topſyturvys, The ſkum ſtands ſwelling on the ſurface. You've cauſ'd your pyramid t' aſcend And ſet it on the little end; Like Hudibras, your empire's made, Whoſe crapper had o'ertop'd his head; You've paſh'd and turn'd the whole world up- Side down and got yourſelves a-top: While all the great ones of your ſtate, Are cruſh'd beneath the pop'lar weight, Nor can you boaſt this preſent hour, The ſhadow of the form of pow'r. For what's your Congreſs, or its end? A power t' adviſe and recommend; To call for troops, adjuſt your quotas, And yet no ſoul is bound to notice; To pawn your faith to th' utmoſt limit, But cannot bind you to redeem it, And when in want no more in them lies, Than begging of your State-Aſſemblies; Can utter oracles of dread, Like friar Bacon's brazen head, But ſhould a faction e'er diſpute 'em, Has ne'er an arm to execute 'em. As tho' you choſe ſupreme dictators, And put them under conſervators; You've but purſued the ſelfſame way, With Shakeſpeare's Trinclo in the play, " You ſhall be viceroys here, 'tis true, But we'll be viceroys over you." What wild confuſion hence muſt enſue, Tho' common danger yet cements you; So ſome wreck'd veſſel, all in ſhatters, Is held up by ſurrounding waters, But ſtranded, when the preſſure ceaſes, Falls by its rottenneſs to pieces. And fall it muſt—if wars were ended, You'll ne'er have ſenſe enough to mend it; But creeping on with low intrigues Like vermin of an hundred legs, Will find as ſhort a life aſſign'd, As all things elſe of reptile kind. Your Commonwealth's a common harlot, The property of ev'ry varlet, Which now in taſte and full employ, All ſorts admire, as all enjoy; But ſoon a batter'd ſtrumpet grown, You'll curſe and drum her out of town. Such is the government you choſe, For this you bade the world be foes, For this ſo mark'd for diſſolution, You ſcorn the Britiſh conſtitution, That conſtitution, form'd by ſages, The wonder of all modern ages: Which owns no failure in reality, Except corruption and venality; And only proves the adage juſt, That beſt things ſpoil'd corrupt to worſt. So man ſupreme in mortal ſtation, And mighty lord of this creation, When once his corſe is dead as herring, Becomes the moſt offenſive carrion, And ſooner breeds the plague, 'tis found, Than all beaſts rotting 'bove the ground. Yet for this gov'rnment, to diſmay us, You've call'd up anarchy from chaos, With all the followers of her ſchool, Uproar and rage and wild miſrule; For whom this rout of Whigs diſtracted And ravings dire of ev'ry crack'd head; Theſe new-caſt legiſlative engines Of county-muſters and conventions, Committees vile of correſpondence, And mobs, whoſe tricks have almoſt undone's; While reaſon fails to check your courſe, And loyalty's kick'd out of door • , And folly, like inviting landlord, Hoiſts on your poles her royal ſtandard. While the king's friends in doleful dumps, Have worn their courage to the ſtumps, And leaving George in ſad diſaſter, Moſt ſinfully deny their maſter. What furies raged when you in ſea, In ſhape of Indians drown'd the tea, When your gay ſparks, fatigued to watch it, Aſſumed the moggiſon and hatchet, With wampo •• d blankets hid their laces, And like their ſweethearts, primed their faces: While not a redcoat dar'd oppoſe, And ſcarce a Tory ſhow'd his noſe, While Hutchinſon for ſure retreat, Manouvred to his country ſeat, And thence affrighted in the 〈◊〉 , Stole off bareheaded thro' the woods! Have you not rous'd your 〈◊〉 to join, And make Mandamus-man reſign, Call'd forth cach du ••• -freſs'd curmudgeon, With dirty trowſers and white bludgeon, Forc'd all our Councils th •• the land, To yield their necks to your command; While paleneſs marks their late diſgraces Thro' all their rueful length of faces? Have you not cauſed as woful work, In loyal city of New-York, When all the rabble well cockaded, In triumph thro' the ſtreets paraded; And mobb'd the Tories, ſeared their ſpouſes, And ranſack'd all the cuſtom-houſes, Made ſuch a tumult, bluſter, jarring, That mid the claſh of tempeſts warring, Smith's weathercock with veers forlorn, Could hardly tell which way to turn; Burnt effigies of th' higher powers, Contriv'd in planetary hours, As witches with clay-images, Deſtroy or torture whom they pleaſe; Till ſired with rage, th' ungrateful club Spared not your beſt friend, Belzebub, O'erlook'd his favours and forgot The rev'rence due his cloven foot, And in the ſelfſame furnace frying, Burn'd him and North and Bute and Tryon? Did you not in as vile and ſhallow way, Fright our poor Philadelphian, Galloway, Your Congreſs when the daring ribald Belied, berated and beſribbled? What ropes and halters did you ſend, Terrific emblems of his end, Till leaſt he'd hang in more than effigy, Fled in a fog the trembling refugee? Now riſing in progreſſion fatal, Have you not ventur'd to give battle? When treaſon cha •• d our heroes troubled, With ruſty gun and leathern doublet, Turn'd all ſtonewalls and groves and buſhes, To ba • t'ries arm'd with blunderbuſſes, And with deep wounds that fate portend, Gaul'd many a reg'lar's latter end, Drove them to Boſton, as in jail, Confined without mainprize or bail. Were not theſe deeds enough betimes, To heap the meaſure of your crimes, But in this loyal town and dwelling, You raiſe theſe en •• gns of rebellion? 'Tis done; fair Mercy ſhuts her door; And Vengeance now ſhall ſleep no more; Riſe then, my friends, in terror riſe, And wipe this ſcandal from the ſkies! You'll ſee their Dagon, tho' well jointed, Will ſink before the Lord's anointed, And like old jeric ••• proud wall, Before our ram's horns proſtrate ſall." This ſaid, our 'Squire, yet undiſmay'd, Call'd forth the Conſtable to aid, And bade him read in nearer ſtation, The riot-act and proclamation; Who now advancing tow'rd the ring, Be 〈◊〉 , " Our ſov'reign Lord the King"— When thouſand clam'rous tongues he hears, And clubs and ſtones aſſail his • ars; To ſty was vain, to ſight was idle, By foes encompaſs'd in the middle; In ſtratagem his aid he found, And fell right craftily to ground; Then crept to ſeek an hiding place, 'Twas all he could, beneath a brace; Where ſoon the conq'ring crew eſpied him, And where he lurk'd, they caught and tied him. At once with reſolution fatal, Both Whigs and Tories ruſh'd to battle; Inſtead of weapons, either band Seiz'd on ſuch arms, as came to hand. And as fam'dOvid's Metamorphoſes, Book 〈◊〉 . Ovid paints th' adventures Of wrangling Lapithae and Centaurs, Who at their feaſt, by Bacchus led, Threw bottles at each other's head, And theſe arm, failing in their ſcuffles, Attack'd wi • h handirons, tongs and ſhovels; So clubs and billets, ſtaves and ſtones Met fierce, encount'ring ev'ry ſconce, And cover'd o'er with 〈◊〉 and pains Each void receptacle for brains; Their clamours rend the hills around, And earth rebellows with the ſound; And many a groan increas'd the din From broken noſe and batter'd ſhin. M'Fingal riſing at the word, Drew forth his old militia ſword; Thrice cried, "King George," as erſt in diſtreſs Romancing heroes did their miſtreſs, And brandiſhing the blade in air, Struck terror thro' th' oppoſing war. The Whigs, unſafe within the wind Of ſuch commotion ſhrunk behind. With whirling ſteel around addreſs'd, Fierce thro' their thickeſt throng he preſs'd, (Who roll'd on either 〈◊〉 in arch, Like Red-ſea waves in Iſrael's march) And like a meteor ruſhing through, Struck on their pole a vengeful blow. Around, the Whigs, of clubs and ſtones Diſcharg'd who • e vollies in pla •• on • , That o'er in whiſtling terror 〈◊〉 , But not a foe dares venture ni ••• . And now perhaps with conqueſt crown'd, Our 'Squire had fell'd their pole to ground; Had not ſome Pow'r, a Whig at heart, Deſcended down and too • their part; (Whether 'twere Pallas, Mars or Iris, 'Tis ſcarce worth while to make enquiries) Who at the nick of time alarming, Aſſamed the graver form of Chairman; Addreſs'd a Whig, in ev'ry ſcene The ſtouteſt wreſtler on the green, And pointed where the ſpade was ſound, Late uſed to fix their pole in ground, And urg'd with equal arms and might To dare our 'Squire to ſingle • ight.The learned reader will readily obſerve the alluſions in 〈◊〉 to the ſingle combats of Paris and 〈◊〉 in •• omer, A •• eas and T • rnus in Virg • l, and Michael and 〈◊〉 in Milton. The Whig thus arm'd, untaught to yield, Advanc'd tremendous to the field; Nor did M'Fingal ſhun the foe, But ſtood to brave the deſp'rate blow; While all the party gaz'd ſuſpended, To ſee the deadly combat ended. And Jove in equal balance weigh'd The ſword againſt the brandiſh'd ſpade, He weigh'd; but lighter than a dream, The ſword flew up and kick'd the beam. Our 'Squire on tiptoe riſing fair, Lifts high a noble ſtroke in air, Which hung not, but like dreadful engines Deſcended on the foe in vengeance. But ah, in danger with diſhonor The ſword perfidious • ails its owner; That ſword, which oft had ſtood its ground By huge trainbands encompaſs'd round, Or on the bench, with blade right loyal, Had won the day at many a trial, Of ſtones and clubs had brav'd th' alarms, Shrunk from theſe new Vulcanian arms. The ſpade ſo temper'd from the ſledge, Nor 〈…〉 ſolid harm'd its edge, Now met it from his arm of might Deſcending with ſteep force to ſmite; The 〈◊〉 ſnapp'd ſhort—and from his hand With ru • t embrown'd the glitt'ring ſand. Swift turn'd M'Fingal at the view, And 〈◊〉 • or aid th' attendant crew, In 〈◊〉 , the Tories all had run, When 〈◊〉 the fight was well begun; Their ••• ing wigs he ſaw decreas'd, Far in th' horizon tow'rd the weſt. Amaz'd he view'd the ſhameful ſight, And ſaw no refuge but in flight: But age unweildy check'd his pace, Tho' fear had wing'd his flying race; For not a trifling prize at ſtake; No leſs than great M'Fingal's back. With legs and arms he work'd his courſe, Like rider that outgoes his horſe, And labour'd hard to get away, as Old SatanIn Milton. ſtruggling on thro' chaos: Till looking back he ſpied in rear The ſpade-arm'd chief advanc'd too near. Then ſtopp'd and ſeiz'd a ſtone that lay, An antient land-mark near the way; Nor ſhall we, as old Bards have done, Aſſirm it weigh'd an hundred ton: But ſuch a ſtone as at 〈◊〉 ſhift A modern might 〈◊〉 to lift, Since men, to credit their enigmas, Are dwindled down to dwarfs and pigmies, And giants exiled with their cronies, To Brobdingnags and Patagonias. But while our hero turn'd him round, And ſtoop'd to raiſe it from the ground, The deadly ſpade diſcharg'd a blow Tremendous on his rear below: His bent knee fail'd, and void of ſtrength, Stretch'd on the ground his manly length; Like antient oak o' • rturn'd he lay, Or tow'rs to tempeſts fall'n a prey, And more things elſe—but all men know 'e •• , If ſlightly vers'd in Epic Poem. At once the crew, at this ſad criſis, Fall on and bind him ere he riſes, And with loud ſhouts and joyful ſoul Conduct him pris'ner to the pole.] When now the Mob in lucky hour, Had got their en'mies in their pow'r, They firſt proceed by wiſe command To take the conſtable in hand. Then from the pol • 's ſublimeſt top, They ſpeeded to let down the rope, At once its other end in haſte bind, And make it faſt upon his waiſt band, Till like the earth, as ſtretch'd on tenter, He hung ſelf-balanc'd on his center. Then upwards all hands hoiſting ſail, They ſwung him, like a keg of ale, Till to the pinnacle ſo fair, He roſe like meteor in the air. AsSocrates is represented in Aristophanes's Comedy of the Clouds, as hoisted in a basket to aid contemplation. Socrates of old at firſt did To aid philoſophy get hoiſted, And found his thoughts flow ſtrangely clear, Swung in a baſket in mid air: Our culprit thus in purer ſky, With like advantage rais'd his eye; And looking forth in proſpect wide His Tory errors clearly ſpied, And from his elevated ſtation, With bawling voice began addreſſing, " Good gentlemen and friends and kin, For heav'n's ſake hear, if not for mine! I here renounce the Pope, the Turks, The King, the Devil and all their works; And will, ſet me but once at eaſe, Turn Whig or Chriſtian, what you pleaſe; And always mind your laws as juſtly; Should I live long as old Methus' • ah, I'll never join with Britiſh rage, Nor help Lord North, or Gen'ral Gage, Nor lift my gun in future fights, Nor take away your charter'd rights, Nor overcome your new-rais'd levies, Deſtroy your towns, nor burn your navies, Nor cut your poles down while I've breath, Tho' rais'd more thick than hatchel-teeth: But leave king George and all his elves To do their conq'ring work themſelves." This ſaid, they lower'd him down in ſtate, Spread at all points, like falling cat; But took a vote firſt on the queſtion, That they'd accept this full confeſſion, And to their fellowſhip and favor, Reſtore him on his good behaviour. Not ſo, our Squire ſul mits to rule, But ſtood heroic as a mule. " You'll find it all in vain, quoth he, To play your rebel tricks on me. All puniſhments the world can re • der, Serve only to provoke th' offender; The will's confirm'd by treatment horrid, As hides grow harder when they're curried. No man e'er felt the halter draw, With good opinion of the law; Or held in method orthodox His love of juſtice in the ſtocks; Or fail'd to loſe by ſheriff's ſhears At once his loyalty and ears, Have you made Murray look leſs big, Or ſmoak'd old Williams to a Whig? Did our mobb'd Oliver quit his ſtation, Or heed his vows of reſignation? Has Rivington, in dread of ſtripes, Ceas'd lying ſince you ſtole his types? And can you think my faith will after, By tarring, whipping, or the halter? I'll ſtand the worſt; for re •• mpence I truſt King George and Providence. And when, our conqueſt gain'd, I come, Arrav'd in law and terror home, You'll rue this inauſpicious morn, And curſe the day you e'er were born, In Job's high ſtyle of imprecations, With all his plagues, without his patience." Meanwhile beſide the pole, the guard A Bench of Juſtice had prepar'd, Where ſitting round in awful ſort, The grand Committee hold their court; While all the crew in ſilent awe, Wait from their lips the lore of law. Few moments with deliberation, They hold the ſolemn conſultation, When ſoon in judgment 〈◊〉 , • gree And Clerk declares the 〈◊〉 decree; " That 'Squire M'Fingal having grown The vileſt Tory in the town, And now on full examination, Convicted by his own confeſſion, Finding no tokens of repentance, This Court proceed to render ſentence: That firſt the Mob a ſ • ip-knot ſingle Tie round the neck of ſaid M'Fingal; And in due form do tar him next, And feather, as the law directs; Then thro' the town attendant ride him, In cart with Conſtable beſide him, And having held him up to ſhame, Bring to the pole from whence • e came." Forth with the croud proceed to d •• k With halter'd nooſe M'Fingal's neck, While he, in peril of his ſoul, Stood tied half hanging to the pole; Then liſting high the pond' rous jar, Pour'd o'er his head the ſmoaking tar: With leſs profuſion erſt was ſpread The Jewiſh oil on royal head, That down his beard and veſtments ran, And cover'd all his outward man. As when (ſo 〈…〉 . Claudian ſings) the Gods And earth-born giants fell at odds, The ſtout Enceladus in malice Tore mountains up to throw at Pallas; And as he held them o'er his head, The river from their fountains fed, Pour'd down his back its copious tide, And wore its channels in his hyde: So from the high rais'd urn the torrents, Spread down his ſide their various currents; His flowing wig, as next the brim, Firſt met and drank the fable ſtream; Adown h • s viſage ſtern and grave, Roll'd and adhered the viſeid wave; With arms depending as he ſtood, Each cuff capacious holds the flood; From noſe and chin's remoteſt end, The tarry 〈◊〉 depend; Till all o'erſpread, with colors gay He g'itter'd to the weſtern ray, Like fleet-bound trees in wintry ſkies, Or •• pland idol carv'd in ice. And now the feather-bag diſplay'd, Is wav'd in triumph o'er his head, And ſpreads hun o'er with feathers miſſive, And down upon the tar adheſive: Not Mi •• 's ſon, with wings for ears, Such plumes around his viſage wears; Nor Milton's ſix wing'd angel gathers, Such ſuperfluity of feathers. Till all compleat appears our 'Squire Like Gorgon or Chimera dire; Nor more could boaſt onAlluding to Plato's famous definition of Man, 〈…〉 Plato's plan To rank amid the race of man, Or prove his claim to human nature, As a two-legg'd, unfeather'd creature, Then on the two-wheel'd car of ſtate, They rais'd our grand Du • mvirate. And as at Rome a like committee, That found an owl within their city, With ſolemn rites and ſad proceſſions, At ev'ry ſhrine perform'd luſtrations; And leaſt infection ſhould abound, From prodigy with face ſo round, All Rome attends him thro' the ſtreet, In triumph to his country-ſeat: With like devotion all the choir Paraded round our feather'd 'Squire; In front the martial muſic comes Of horns and fiddles, fiſes and drums, With jingling ſound of carriage bells, And treble creak of ruſted wheels; Behind, the croud in lengthen'd row, With grave proceſſion cloſed the ſhow; And at fit periods ev'ry throat Combined in univerſal ſhout, And hail'd great liberty in chorus, Or bawi'd, Confuſion to the Tories. Not louder storm the welkin braves, From 〈◊〉 of con • licting waves; Leſs dire in Lybian wilds the noiſe When rav'ning lions lift their voice; Or triumphs at town-meetings made, On paſſing votes to reg 'late trade. Thus having borne them round the town, Laſt at the pole they ſet them down, And tow'rd the tavern take their way, To end in mirth the feſtal day. And now the Mob diſpers'd and gone, Left 'Squire and Conſtable alone. The Conſtable in rueful caſe Lean'd ſad and ſolemn o'er a brace, And faſt beſide him, cheek by jowl, Stuck 'Squire M'Fingal 'gainſt the pole, Glued by the tar t' his rear applied, Like barnacle on veſſel's ſide. But tho' his body lack'd phyſician, His ſpirit, was in worſe condition. He found his fears of whips and ropes, By many a drachm outweigh'd his hopes. As men in goal without mainprize, View ev'ry thing with other eyes, And all goes wrong in church and ſtate Seen thro' perſpective of the grate: So now M'Fingal's ſecond-ſight Beheld all things in diff'rent light; His viſual nerve, well purg'd with tar, Saw all the coming ſcenes of war. As his prophetic ſoul grew ſtronger, He found be could hold in no longer; Firſt from the pole, as fierce he ſhook, His wig from pitchy durance broke, His mouth unglued, his feathers ſlutter'd, His tarr'd ſkirts crack'd, and thus he utter'd, " Ah, Mr. Conſtable, in vain We ſtrive 'gainſt wind and tide and rain! Behold my doom! this feather'd omen • ertends what diſmal times are coming. Now future ſcenes before my eyes, And ſecond-ſighted forms ariſe; I hear a voice that calls away, And cries, the Whigs will win the day; My beck'ning Genius gives command, And bids us fly the fatal land; Where changing name and conſtitution, Rebellion turns to revolution, While Loyalty oppreſs'd in tears, Stands trembling for its neck and ears. Go, ſummon all our brethren greeting, To muſter at our uſual meeting. There my prophetic voice ſhall warn 'em, Of all things future that concern 'em, And ſcenes diſcloſe on which, my friend, Their conduct and their lives depend: There I—but firſt 'tis more of uſe, From this vile pole to ſet me looſe; There go with cautious ſteps and ſteady, Whil • I ſteer home and make all ready, END OF CANTO THIRD

M 'FINGAL: CANTO FOURTH, OR THE VISION. Now night came down, and roſe full ſoon That patroneſs of rogues, the Moon; Beneath whoſe kind, protecting ray Wolves, brute and human, prowl for prey. The honeſt world all ſnored in chorus, While owls, and ghoſts and thieves and Tories, Whom erſt the mid-day ſun had aw'd, Crept from their lurking holes abroad. On cautious hinges, ſlow and ſtiller Wide oped the great M'Fingal's P • ndi • r interea d • mus omnipotentis Olympi, Conci • lium que vocat Divum pater at que 〈◊〉 • ex Siderearn in ſedem. Lib. 10. Aeneid. cellar, Where ſhut from prying eyes in cluſter, The Tory Pandemonium muſter. Their chiefs all ſitting round deſcried are, On kegs of 〈◊〉 and ſeats of cyder; When firſt M'Fingal dimly ſeen Roſe ſolemn from the turnep-bin. Nor yet his —His form had not yet loſt All its original brightneſs, nor appear'd Leſs than 〈◊〉 rais'd. form had wholly loſt The original brightneſs it could boaſt, Nor leſs appear'd than Juſtice Quorum, In feather'd majeſty before 'em. Adown his tarſtreak'd viſage, clear Fell gliſt'ning faſt th' indignant tear, And thus his voice, in mournful wiſe, Purſued the prologue of his ſighs. " Brethren and friends, the glorious band Of loyalty in rebel land! It was not thus you've ſeen me ſitting Return'd in triumph from town-meeting, When bluſtring Whigs were put to ſtand, And votes obey'd my guiding hand, And new commiſſions pleas'd my eyes; Bleſt days, but ah, no more to riſe! Alas, againſt my better light And optics ſure of ſecond-ſight, My ſtubborn ſoul in error ſtrong, Had ſaith in Hutchinſon too long. See what brave trophies ſtill we bring From all our battles for the king; And yet theſe plagues now paſt before us, Are but our entring wedge of ſorrows. I ſee in glooms tempeſtuous ſtand The cloud impending o'er the land; That cloud, which ſtill beyond their hope • Serves all our orators with tropes, Which tho' from our own vapors fed, Shall point its thunders on our head! I ſee the Mob, beſtipp'd in taverns, 〈◊〉 us, like wolves, thro' wilds and caverns! What dungeons riſe t' alarm our fears, What horſewhips whiſtle round our ears! Tar yet in embryo in the pine Shall run, on Tories backs to ſhine; Trees rooted fair in groves of fallows Are growing for our future gallows; And geeſe unhatch'd, when pluck'd in fray, Shall rue the feath'ring of that day. For me, before theſe fatal days I mean to fly th'accurſed place, And follow omens, which of late Have warn'd me of impending fate; Yet paſs'd unnoticed o'er my view, Till ſad conviction proved them true; As prophecies of beſt intent, Are only heeded in th' event. For late in viſions of the night The gallows ſtood before my ſight; I ſaw its ladder heav'd on end; I ſaw the deadly rope deſcend; And in its nooſe that wav'ring ſwang, Friend

Malcolm was a Scotchman, Aid to Governor Tryon in his expedition against the R • g • lato • s in North-Carolina. Where in the engagement he met with the accident of the breeches here alluded to. He was afterwards an underofficer of the cuſtoms in Boſton, where becoming obnoxious, he was tarred, feathered, and half hanged by the mob, about the year 1774. After this he was neglected and avoided by his own party, and thinking his merits and ſufferings unrewarded, appeared equally malevolent againſt Whigs and Tories.

The pretences of the Highlanders to prophecy by ſecondſight are too well known to need an explanation.

Malcolm hung, or ſeem'd to hang. How changed from him, who bold as lyon, Stood Aid-de-Camp to Governor Tryon, Made rebels vaniſh once, like witches, And ſaved his life, but dropp'd his breeches. I ſearce had made a fearful bow, And trembling aſk'd him, " How d'ye do." When lifting up his eyes ſo wide, His eyes alone, his hands were tied; With feeble voice, as ſpirits uſe, Now almoſt choak'd with gripe of nooſe; " AhThere is in this ſcene a general alluſion to the appearance and ſpeech of Hector's ghoſt in the ſecond book of his the 〈◊〉 . fly, my friend, he cried, eſcape, And keep yourſelf from thiſ ſad ſcrape; Enough you've talk'd and writ and plann'd; The Whigs have got the upper hand. Dame Fortune's wheel has turn'd ſo ſhort, It plung'd us fairly in the dirt; Could mortal arm our fears have ended, This arm (and ſhook it) had defended. But longer now 'tis vain to ſtay; See 〈◊〉 the Reg'lars run away: Wait not till things grow deſperater, For hanging is no laughing matter: Thus might your grandſires' fortunes tell you or, Who both were hang'd the laſt rebellion; Adventure then no 〈◊〉 ſtay, But call your friends and run away. For lo, thro' deepeſt glooms of night I come to aid thy ſecond-ſight, Diſcloſe the plagues that round us wait And wake the dark decrees of fate. Aſeend this ladder whence unſur • 'd The curtain opes of • 'other world, For here new worlds their ſcenes unfold, Seen from this backdoor of the old. As when AEneas riſqued bis life, Like Orpheus vent' • ing for his wife, And bo • e in ſhow his mortal • arcaſe, Thro' realms of Er •• us and Or •• s, Then in the happy fields E • yſ • am, Staw all this embryon ſons in 〈◊〉 ; As ſhown by great archangel, Michael, Old Adam ſaw the world's whole ſequel, And from the mount's extended ſpace, The riſing fortunes of his race; So from this ſtage ſhalt thou behold, The war its coming ſcenes unfold, Rais'd by my arm to meet thine eye; My Adam, thou, thine Angel, I. But firſt my pow'r for viſionsSee Milton's Paradiſe Loſt, Book II. bright, Muſt eleanſe from clouds thy mental ſight, Remove the dim ſuffuſions ſpread, Which bribes and fa • 'ries there have bred; And from the well of Bute infuſe, Three genuine drops of Highland dews, To purge, like euphraſy and rue, Thine eyes, for much thou haſt to view. Now ſreed from Tory darkneſs raiſe Thy head and ſpy the coming days; For lo before our ſecond-ſight, The Continent aſcends in light; From north to ſouth what gath'ring ſwarms, Increaſe the pride of rebel arms! Thro' ev'ry State our legions brave, Speed gallant marches to the grave, Of battling Whigs the frequent prize, While rebel trophies ſtain the ſkies. Behold o'er northern realms afar, Extend the kindling ſlames of war! See fam'd St. John's and Montreal, Doom'd by Montgomt'ry's arm to ſall Where Hudſon with majeſtic ſway, Thro' hills diſparted plows his way; Fate ſpreads on B • mus' Heights alarms, And pours deſturction on our arms; There Bennington's enſanguin'd plain, And Stony-Point, the prize of Wayne. Behold near Del'ware's icy roar, Where morning dawns on Tre •• on's ſhore, While Heſſians ſpread their Chriſtmas 〈◊〉 , Ruſh rude theſe uninvited gueſts; Nor aught avail, to Whigs a prize, Their martial whiſkers griſly ſize. On 〈◊〉 plains our heroes yield, And ſpread in ſlight the vanquiſh'd field, While fear to Mawhood's heels puts on Wings, wide as worn by Maia's ſon. Behold the Pennſylvanian ſhore, Enrich'd with ſtreams of Britiſh gore; Where many a • et'ran chief in bed Of honor reſts his ſlumbring head, And in ſoft vales in land of foes, Their wearied virtue fines repoſe. See plund'ring Dunmore's negro band Fly headlong from Virginia's ſtran • ; And far on ſouthern hills our couſins, The Scotch M'Donalds fall by dozens; Or where King's Mountain lifts its head, Our ruin'd bands in triumph led! Behold o'er Tarlton's bluſtring train, The Rebels ſtretch the captive chain! Afar near Eutaw's fatal ſprings Deſcending Vict'ry ſpreads her wings! Thro' all the land in various chace, We hunt the rainbow of ſucceſs; In vain! their Chief ſuperior ſtill Eludes our force with Fabian ſkill, Or ſwif • deſcending by ſurprize, Like Pruſſia's eagle ſweeps the prize." I look'd, nor yet, oppreſt with fears, Gave credit to my eyes or ears, But held the views an empty dream, On Berkly's immaterial ſcheme; And pondring ſad with troubled breaſt At length my riſing doubts expreſs'd. " Ah whither, thus by rebels ſmitten, Is fled th' omnipotence of Britain, Or fail'd its uſual guard to keep, Gone traunting or fall'n aſleep; As Baal his prophets left confounded, And bawling vot'ries gaſh'd and wounded? Did not, retir'd to bow'rs Elyſian, Great Mars leave with her his commiſſion, And Neptune erſt in treaty free, Give up dominion o'er the ſea? Elſe where's the faith of ſamed orations, Addreſs, debate and proclamations, Or courtly • ert •• on, laurea •• ode, And ballads on the watry God; With whoſe high 〈◊〉 great George enriches His eloquence of gracious ſpeeches? Not faithful to our 〈◊〉 eyes, Theſe deadly forms of viſion 〈◊〉 ; But ſure ſome Whig-inſpiring ſprite Now palms deluſion on our ſight. I'd ſcarcely truſt a tale ſo 〈◊〉 , Should revelation prompt the ſtrain, Or O • tian's ghoſt the ſcenes rehearſe, In all the melody ofEaſe, the antient Scottish language, in which oſ • ian 〈…〉 his poems. Eaſe." " Too long, quoth M ••• olm, with confuſion You've dwelt already in 〈◊〉 , As Scep • i • s, of all fools the chief, Hold faith in creeds of unbelief. I come to draw thy veil aſide Of error, prejudice and pride. Fools love deception, but the wiſe Prefer ſad truths to pleaſing lies. For know thoſe hopes can ne'er ſucceed That truſt on Britain's breaking reed. For weak'ning long from bad to worſe By fatal atrophy of purſe, She feels at length with trembling heart, Her foes have found her mortal part. As famed Achilles, dipt by Thetis In Styx, as ſung in antient ditties, Grew all caſeharden'd o'er like ſteel, Invulnerable, ſave his heel, And laugh'd at ſwords and ſpears, as ſquibs, And all diſeaſes, but the kibes; Yet met at laſt his fatal wound, By Paris' arrow nail'd to ground: So Britain's boaſted ſtrength deſerts, In theſe her empire's utmoſt ſkirts, Remov'd beyond her fierce impreſſions, And atmoſphere of omnipreſence; Nor to theſe ſhores remoter ends, Her dwarf omnipotence extends: Whence in this turn of things ſo ſtrange, 'Tis time our principles to change. For vain that boaſted faith, which gathers No perquiſite, but tar and feathers, No pay, but Whig's inſulting malice, And no promotion, but the gallows. I've long enough ſtood firm and ſteady, Half hang'd for loyalty already: And could I ſave my neck and pelf I'd turn a flaming Whig myſelf, And quit this cauſe and courſe and calling, Like rats that fly from houſe 〈◊〉 falling. But ſince, obnoxious here to f •• e, This ſaving wiſdom comes too late, Our nobleſt hopes already cr •• t, Our ſal' • ies gone, our titles loſt, Doom'd to worſe ſuff'rings from the mob, Than Satan's furg'ri • s uſed on Job; What more remains but now with ſleight, What's left of us to ſave by ſlight? Now raiſe thine eyes for viſions true Again aſcending wait thy view." I look'd and clad in early light, The ſpires of Boſton roſe to ſight; The more o'er eaſtern hills afar, Illum'd •• e varying ſcenes of war. Great Howe had long ſince in the lap Of Loring taken out his nap, And with the ſun's aſcending ray, The cuckold came to take his pay. When all th' encircling hills around, With inſtantaneous breaſtworks crown'd, With pointed thunders m • t his ſight, By magic rear'd the former night. Each ſummit, ſar as eye commands, Shone peopled with rebellious bands. Aloft their tow'ring heroes riſe, As Titans erſt aſſail'd the ſkies, Leagued with ſuperior force to prove, The ſcepter'd hand of Britiſh Jove, Mounds piled on hills aſcended fair With bat • 'ries placed in middle air, That rais'd like angry clouds on high Seem'd like th' artill'ry of the ſky, And hurl'd their fiery bolts amain, In thunder on the trembling plain. I ſaw along the proſtrate ſtrand, Our baffled Gen'rals quit the land, And ſwift as frighted mermaids flee, T' our boaſted element, the ſea! Reſign that long conteſted ſhore, Again the prize of rebel-power, And tow'rd their town of refuge fly, Like convict Jews condemn'd to die. Then tow'rd the north, I turn'd my eyes, Where Saratoga's heights ariſe, And ſaw our choſen vet'ran band, Deſcend in terror o'er the land; T' oppoſe this fury of alarms, Saw all New-England wake to arms, And ev'ry Yanky full of mettle, Swarm forth, like bees at ſound of kettle. Not Rome, when Tarquin raped •• ucretia, Saw wilder muſtring of militia. Thro' all the woods and plains of fight, What mortal battles fill'd my ſight, While Britiſh corſes ſtrew'd the ſhore, And Hudſon ting'd his ſtreams with gore! What tongue can tell the diſmal day, Or paint the party-color'd fray; When yeomen left their fields afar, To plow the crimſon plains of war; When zeal to ſwords transformed their ſhares, And turn'd their pruning-hooks to ſpears, Chang'd tailor's geeſe to guns and ball, And ſtretch'd to pikes the cobler's awl; While hunters fierce like mighty Nimrod, Made on our troops a daring inroad; And levelling ſquint on barrel round, Brought our beau-officers to ground; While rifle-frocks ſent Gen'rals cap'ring, And redcoats ſhrunk from leathern apron, And 〈◊〉 and gorget run From whinyard brown and ruſ • y gun: While ſunburnt wigs in high command, Ruſh furious on our frighted band, And antient beards and hoary hair, Like meteors ſtream in troubled air. With looks unſhorn not Samſon more Made uſeleſs all the ſhow of war, Nor ſought with aſs;es jaw for rarity, With more ſucceſs or ſingularity. I ſaw our vet'ran thouſands yield And pile their muſkets on the field, And peaſant guards in rueful plight March off our captured bands from ſight; While ev'ry rebel-ſife in play, To Yanky-doodle tun'd its lay, And like the muſic of the ſpheres, Melliſluous ſooth'd their vanquiſh'd ea • " Alas, ſaid I, what baleful ſtar, Sheds fatal influence on the war, And who that choſen Chief of fame, That heads this grand parade of ſhame?" " There ſee how fate, great Malcolm cried, Strikes with its bolts the tow'rs of pride. Behold that martial Macaroni, Compound of Phoebus and Bellona, With warlike ſword and ſingſong lay, Equipp'd alike for ſeaſt or fray, Where equal wit and valour join; This, this is he, the famed Burgoyne: Who pawn'd his honor and commiſſion, To coax the Patriots to ſubmiſſion, By ſongs and b • lls ſecure obedience, And 〈◊〉 the ladies to allegiance. Oft his camp muſes he'll parade, At Boſton in the grand blockade, And well invoked with punch of arrack, Hold converſe ſweet in tent or barrack, Inſpired in more heroic faſhion, Both by his theme and ſituation; While farce and proclamation grand, Riſe fair beneath his plaſtic hand. For genius ſwells more ſtrong and clear When cloſe confin'd, like bottled beer: So Prior's wit gain'd greater pow'r, By inſpiration of the tow'r; And Raleigh faſt in priſon hurl'd Wrote all the hiſt'ry of the world: So Wilkes grew, while in goal he lay, More patriotic ev'ry day, But ſound his zeal, when not confin'd, Soon ſink below the freezing point, And public ſpirit once ſo fair, Evaporate in open air. But thou, great favorite of Venus, By no ſuch luck ſhalt cramp thy genius; Thy friendly ſtars till wars ſhall ceaſe, Shall ward th' illfortune of releaſe, And hold there fa • t in bonds not feeble, In good condition still to ſcribble. Such merit 〈…〉 ſhield from ſiring, Bomb, carcaſe, 〈◊〉 and cold iron, Nor truſts thy doubly ••• rell'd head, To rude aſſaults of flying lead. Hence in this Sarat • gue retreat, For pure good fortune thou'lt be beat; Not taken oft, 〈◊〉 or reſcued, Paſs for ſmall change, 〈◊〉 ſimple Preſcott; But captured there, as fates befall, Shalt ſtand thy hand ſor't, once for all. Then raiſe thy daring thoughts ſublime, And dip thy conq'ring pen in rhyme, And changing war for 〈◊〉 and jokes, Write new Blockades and Maids of OaksThe Maid of the 〈◊〉 and the Blockade of Boſton, are • arces— the firſt 〈…〉 by General • urgoyne, the other generally 〈…〉 ." This ſaid, he turn'd, and ſaw the tale, Had dyed my trembling cheeks with pale; Then pitying in a milder vein Purſued the viſionary ſtrain. " Too much perhaps hath pain'd your view▪ Of vict'ries gain'd by rebel crews; Now ſee the deeds not ſmall or ſcanty, Of Britiſh Valor and Humanity; And learn from this auſpicious ſight, How England's ſons and friends can fight, In what dread ſcenes their courage grows, And how they conquer all their foes." I look'd and ſaw in wintry ſkies Our ſpacious priſon-walls ariſe, Where Britons all their captives taming, Plied them with ſcourging, cold and famine; Reduced to life's concluding ſtages, By noxious food and plagues contagious. Aloft the mighty Loring ſ • ood, And thrived, likeThe notion of Vampyres is a ſuperſtition, that had greatly prev • nted in many parts of Europe. They pretend it is a dead body, which riſes out of its grave in the night, and ſucks the blood of the living. Vampyre, on their blood, And counting all his gains ariſing, Dealt daily rations out of poiſon. Amid the dead that croud the ſcene, The moving ſkeleton • were ſeen. At hand our troops in vaunting ſtrains, Inſulted all their wants and pains, And turn'd on all the dying tribe, The b •• ter taunt and ſcornful gibe: And Britiſh officers of might, Triumphant at the joyful ſight, O'er foes diſarm'd with courage daring, Exhauſted all their tropes of ſwearing. Around all ſtain'd with rebel blood, Like Milton's lazar houſe it ſtood, Where grim Deſpair attended nuri • , And Death was Gov'rnor of the houſe, Amaz'd I cried, " Is this the way, That Britiſh Valour wins the day?" More had I ſaid, in ſtrains unwelcome, Till interrupted thus by Malcolm: " Blame not, quoth he, but learn the reaſon Of this new mode of conq'ring treaſon. 'Tis but a wiſe, politic plan, To root out all the rebel-clan; (For ſurely treaſon ne'er can thrive, Where not a ſoul is left alive:) A ſcheme, all other chiefs to ſurpaſs, And to do th' effectual work to purpoſe, For war itſelf is nothing further, But th' art and myſtery of murther, And who moſt methods has eſſay'd, Is the beſt Gen'ral of the trade, And ſtands Death's Plenipotentiary, To conquer, poiſon, sta •• e and bury. This Howe well knew, and thus began, (Deſpiſing, Cariton's coaxing plan, Who kept his pris'ners well and merry, And dealt them food like Commiſſary, And by paroles and ranſoms vain, Diſmiſs'd them all to fight again:) Whence his firſt captives with great ſpirit, He tied up for his troops to • ireThis was done openly and without cenſure by the troops tinder Howe's command in many inſtances, on his firſt conquest of Long-Iſland. at, And hoped they'd learn on foes thus taken, To aim at rebels without ſhaking. Then wiſe in ſtratagem he plann'd The ſure deſtruction of the land, Turn'd famine, ſickneſs and deſpair, To uſeful enginry of war, Inſtead of cannon, muſket, mortar, Uſed peſtilence and death and torture, Sent forth the ſmall pox and the greater, To thin the • and of ev'ry traitor, And order'd out with like endeavour, De • achments of the priſon-fever; Spread deſolation o'er their head, And plagues in Providence's ſtead, Perform'd with equal ſkill and beauty, Th' avenging angel's tour of duty, Brought all the elements to join, And ſtars t' aſſiſt the great deſign, As once in league with Kiſhon's brook, Famed Iſrael's foes they fought and took. Then proud to raiſe a glorious name, And em'lous of his country's fame, He bade theſe priſon-walls ariſe, Like temple tow'ring to the ſkies, Where Britiſh Clemency renown'd, Might fix her ſeat on ſacred ground; (That Virtue, as each herald ſaith, Of whole blood • in to Punic Faith) Where all her Godlike pow'rs unveiling, She finds a grateful ſhrine to dwell in. Then at this altar for her honor, Choſe this Highprieſt to wait upon her, Who with juſt rites, in antient guiſes, Preſents theſe human ſacrifices; Great L •• ing, famed above laymen, A proper Prieſt for Lybian Ammon, Wh • , while Howe's gift his brows adorns, Had march'd that deity in horns. Here 〈◊〉 day her vot'ries tell She more devours than th' idol Bel; And thirſts more rav'nouſly for gore, Than any worſhipp'd Pow'r before. That antient Heathen Godhead, Moloch, Oft stay'd his ſtomach with a bullock, Or if his morning rage you'd check firſt, One child ſufficed him for a breakfaſt. But Britiſh Clemency with zeal Devours her hundreds at a meal, Right well by Nat'raliſts defined, A Being of carniv'rous kind. So erſtSee Rabclais's hiſtory of the giant Gargantua. Gargantua pleas'd his palate, And eat his pilgrims up for ſallad. Not bleſt with maw leſs ceremonious, The wide-mouth'd whale that ſwallow'd Jonas, Like earthquake gapes, to death de • ote, That open ſepulchre, her throat; The grave, or barren womb you'd ſtuff, And ſooner being to cry, enough; Or fatten up to fair condition, The leanfleſh'd kine of Pharaoh's viſion. Behold her temple where it ſtands Erect by famed Britannic hands; 'Tis the blackhole of Indian ſtructure, New-built with Engliſh architecture, On plan, 'tis ſaid, contrived and wrote, By Clive, before he cut his throat; Who ere he took himſelf in hand, Was her Highprieſt in Nabob-land: And when with conq'ring glory crown'd, He' •• well enſlav'd the nation round, With pitying heart the gen'rous chief, (Since ſlav'ry's worſe than loſs of life) Bade deſolation circle far, And famine end the work of war; Thus looſed their chains and for their merits, Diſmiſs'd them free to worlds of ſpirits: Whence they with gratitude and praiſe, Return'dClive in the latter years of his life conceived himſelf perpetually haunted by the ghoſts of thoſe, who were the victi •• s of his British humanity in the Eaſt-Indies. to attend his latter days, And hov'ring round his reſtleſs bed, Spread nightly viſions o'er his head. " Now turn, he cried, to nobler ſights, And mark the proweſs of our fights: Behold like whelps of Britiſh Lyon, The warriors, Clinton, Vaughan and Tryon, March forth with patriotic joy, To raviſh, plunder, burn, deſtroy. Great Gen'rals foremoſt in the nation, The journeymen of Deſolation! Like Samſon's foxes each aſſails, Let looſe with firebrands in their tails, And ſpreads deſtruction more forlorn, Than they did in Philiſtine corn. And ſee in flames their triumphs riſe, I •• un • ing all the nether ſkies, And ſtreaming, like a new Aurora, The weſtern hemiſphere with glory! What towns in aſhes laid confeſs Theſe heroes' proweſs and ſucceſs! What blacken'd walls, or burning fane, For trophies ſpread the ruin'd plain! What females caught in evil hour, By force ſubmit to Britiſh power, Or plunder'd Negroes in diſaſter Confeſs king George their lord and maſter! What crimſon corſes ſtrew their way Till ſmoaking carnage dims the day! Along the ſhore for ſure reduction They wield their boſom of deſtruction. Great Homer likens, in his Ilias, To dogſtar bright the fierce Achilles; But ne'er beheld in red proceſſion, Three dogſtars riſe in conſtellation; Or ſaw in glooms of ev'ning miſty, Such ſigns of fiery triplicity, Which far beyond the comet's tail, Portend deſtruction where they ſail. Oh had Great-Britain's godlike ſhore, Produced but ten ſuch heroes more, They'd ſpared the pains and held the ſtation, Of this world's final conflagration, Which when its time comes, at a ſtand, Would find its work all done t' its hand! Yet tho' gay hopes our eyes may bleſs; Indignant fate forbids ſucceſs; Like morning dreams our conqueſt flies, Diſpers'd before the dawn ariſe." Here Malcolm paus'd; when pond'ring long, Grief thus gave utt'rance to my tongue. " Where ſhrink in fear our friends diſmay'd, And all the Tories' promis'd aid, Can none amid theſe fierce alarms Aſſiſt the pow'r of royal arms?" " In vain, he cried, our king depends, On promis'd aid of Tory-friends. When our own efforts want ſucceſs, Friends ever fail as fears increaſe. As leaves in blooming verdure wove, In warmth of ſummer cloath the grove, But when autumnal froſts ariſe, Leave bare their trunks to wintry ſkies; So while your pow'r can aid their ends, You ne'er can need ten thouſand friends, But once in want by foes diſmay'd, May advertiſe them ſtol'n or ſtray'd▪ Thus ere Great-Britain's ſtrength grew ſlack, She gain'd that aid, ſhe did not lack, But now in dread, imploring pity, All hear unmov'd her dol'rous ditty; Allegiance wand'ring turns aſtray, And Faith grows dim for lack of pay. In vain ſhe tries by new inventions, Fear, falſhood, flatt'ry, threats and penſions, Or ſends Commiſs'ners with credentials Of promiſes and penitentials. As for his fare o'er Styx of old, The Trojan ſtole the bough of gold, And leaſt grim Cerberus ſhould make head, Stuff'd both his fobs with 〈…〉 Medicat • m • i • gib • s off • m 〈…〉 lib. 6. 〈◊〉 41 • ; gingerbread; Behold at Britain's utmoſt ſhifts, Comes Johnſtone loaded with like gifts, To venture thro' the Whiggiſh tribe, To cuddle, wheedle, coax and bribe, Enter their lands and on his journey, Poſſeſſion take, as King's Attorney, Buy all the vaſſals to protect him, And bribe the tenants not t' eject him; And call to aid his deſp'rate miſſion, His petticoated politician, While Venus join'd t' aſſiſt the farce, Strolls forth Embaſſador for Mars. In vain he ſtrives, for while he lingers, Theſe maſtiffs bite his off'ring fingers; Nor buys for George and realms infernal, One ſpaniel, but the mongrel Arnold. " Twere vain to paint in viſion'd ſhow, The mighty nothings done by Howe; What towns he takes in mortal fray, As ſtations, whence to run away; What conqueſts gain'd in battles warm, To us no aid, to them no harm; For ſtill the event alike is fatal, What'er ſucceſs attend the battle, If he gain victory, or loſe it, Who ne'er had ſkill enough to uſe it; And better 'twere at their expence, T' have drubb'd him into common ſenſe, And wak'd by baſtings on his rear, Th' activity, tho' but of fear. By ſlow advance his arms prevail, Like emblematic march of ſnail; That be Millennium nigh or far, 'Twould long before him end the war. From York to Philadelphian ground, He ſweeps the mighty flouriſh round, Wheel'd circ'lar by excentric ſtars, Like racing boys at priſon-bars, Who take the adverſe crew in whole, By running round the opp'ſite goal; Works wide the traverſe of his courſe, Like ſhip in ſtorms' oppoſing force, Like millhorſe circling in his race, Advances not a ſingle pace, And leaves no trophies of reduction, Save that of cankerworms, deſtruction. Thus having long both countries curſt, He quits them, as he found them firſt, Steers home diſgraced, of little worth, To join Burgoyne and • ail at North. Now raiſe thine eyes, and view with pleaſure, The triumphs of his famed ſucceſſor." I look'd, and now by magic lore, Faint roſe to view the Jerſey ſhore; But dimly ſeen, in glooms array'd, For Night had pour'd her ſable ſhade, And ev'ry ſtar, with glimm'rings pale, Was muffled deep in ev'ning veil: Scarce viſible in duſky night, Advancing redcoats roſe to ſight; The lengthen'd train in gleaming rows Stole ſilent from their ſlumb'ring foes, Slow moved the baggage and the train, Like ſnail crept noiſeleſs o'er the plain; No trembling ſoldier dared to ſpeak, And not a wheel preſum'd to creak. My looks my new ſurprize confeſs'd, Till by great Malcolm thus addreſs'd:" " Spend not thy wits in vain reſearches; 'Tis one of Clinton's moonlight marches. From Philadelphia now retreating, To ſave his anxious troops a beating, With haſty ſtride he flies in vain, His rear attack'd on Monmo •• h plain: With various chance the mortal fray Is lea •• then'd to the cloſe of day, When his tired bands o'ermatch'd in fight, Are reſcued by deſcending night; He forms his camp with vain parade, Till ev'ning ſpreads the world with ſhade, Then ſtill, like ſome endanger'd ſpark, Steals off on tipt •• in the dark; Yet writes his king in boaſting tone, How grand he march'd by light of moon. I ſee him; but thou canſt not; proud He leads in front the trembling croud, And wiſely knows, if danger's near, 'Twill fall the heavieſt on his rear. Go on, great Gen'ral, nor regard The ſcoffs of ev'ry ſcribling Bard, Who ſing how Gods that fatal night Aided by miracles your ſlight, As once they uſed, in Homer's day, To help weak heroes run away; Tell how the hours at awful trial, Went back, as erſt on A • az' dial, While Britiſh Joſhua ſtay'd the moon, On Monmouth plains for Ajalon: Heed not their ſncers and gibes ſo arch, Becauſe ſhe ſet before your march. A ſmall miſtake, your meaning right, You take her influence for her light; Her influence, which ſhall be your guide, And o'er your Gen'ralſhip preſide. Hence ſtill ſhall teem your empty ſkull, With vict'ries when the moon's at full, Which by tranſition yet more ſtrange, Wane to defeats before the change; Hence all your movements, all your notions Shall ſteer by like excentri • motions, Eclips'd in many a fatal criſts, And dimm'd when Waſhington ariſes. And ſee how Fate, herſelf turn'd traitor, Inverts the antient courſe of nature, And changes manners, tempers, climes, To ſuit the genius of the times. See Bourbon forms his gen'rous plan, Firſt guardian of the rights of man, And prompt in firm alliance joins, To aid the Rebels proud deſigns. Behold from realms of eaſtern day, His ſails innum'rous ſhape their way, In warlike line the billows ſweep, And roll the thunders of the deep. See low in equinoctial ſkies, The Weſtern Iſlands fall their prize. See Britiſh flags o'ermatch'd in might, Put all their faith in inſtant flight, Or broken ſquadrons from th' affray, Drag ſlow their wounded hulks away. Behold his chiefs in daring ſetts, D'Eſtaings, De Graſſes and Fayettes, Spread thro' our camps their dread alarms, And ſwell the ſears of rebel-arms. Yet ere our empire ſink in night, One gleam of hope ſhall ſtrike the ſight; As lamps that fail of oil and fire, Collect one glimm ••• g to expire. And lo where ſouthern ſhores extend, Behold our union' • hoſts deſcend, Where Charleſtown views with varying beams, Her turrets gild th' encircling ſtreams. There by ſuperior might compell'd, Behold their gallant Lincoln yield, Nor aught the wreaths avail him now, Pluck'd from Burgoyne's imperious brow. See furious from the vanquiſh'd ſtrand, Cornwallis leads his mighty band! The ſouthern realms and Georgian ſhore Submit and own the victor's pow'r. Lo ſunk before his waſting way, The Carolinas fall his prey! In vain embattled hoſts of • oes Eſſay in warring ſtrife t' oppoſe. See ſhrinking from his conq'ring eye, The rebel legions fall or fly; And with'ring in theſe torrid ſkies, The northern laurel fades and dies. With rapid force he leads his band To fair Virginia's fated ſtrand, Triumphant eyes the travell'd zone, And boaſts the ſouthern realms his own. Nor yet this hero's glories bright Blaze only in 〈◊〉 fields of fight, Not Howe's humanity more deſerving, In gifts of hanging and of ſtarving; Not Arnold plunders more tobacco, Or ſteals more Negroes for Jamaica; Scarce Rodney's ſelf among th' Euſtatians, Inſults ſo well the laws of nations; Ev'n Tryon's fame grows dim, and mourning, He yields the laurel crown of burning. I ſee with rapture and ſurprize, New triumphs ſparkling in thine eyes. But view where now renew'd in might, Again the rebels dare the fight." I look'd and far in ſouthern ſkies, Saw Greene, their ſecond hope, ariſe, And with his ſmall but gallant band, Invade the Carolinian land. As winds in ſtormy circles whirl'd Ruſh ••• lowing o'er the darken'd world, And where their waſting fury roves, Succeſſive ſweep th' aſtoniſh'd groves. Thus where he pours the rapid fight, Our boaſted conqueſts ſink in night, And wide o'er all th' extended field, Our ſorts reſign, our armies yield, Till now regain'd the vanquiſh'd land, He lifts his ſtandard on the ſtrand. Again to fair Virginia's coaſt, I turn'd and view'd the Britiſh hoſt, Where Cheſapeak's wide waters lave Her ſhores and join th' Atlantic wave. There fam'd Cornwallis tow'ring roſe, And ſcorn'd ſecure his diſtant ſoes; His bands the haughty rampart raiſe, And bid th' imperial ſtandard blaze. When lo, where ocean's bounds extend, I ſaw the Gallic ſails aſcend, With fav'ring breezes ſtem their way, And croud with ſhips the ſpacious bay. Lo Waſhington from northern ſhores, O'er many a region, wheels his force, And Rochambeau, with legions bright, Deſcends in terrors to the fight. Not ſwifter cleaves his rapid way, The eagle cow'ring o'er his prey, Or knights in fain'd romance that fly On fairy pinions thro' the ſky. Amaz'd the Briton's ſtartled pride, Sees ruin wake on ev'ry ſide; And all his troops to fate conſign'd, By inſtantaneous ſtroke Burgoyn'd. Not Cadmus view'd with more ſurprize, From earth embattled armies riſe, When by ſuperior pow'r impell'd, He ſow'd with dragon's teeth the field. Here Gallic troops in terror • and, There ruſh in arms the Rebel band; Nor hope remains from mortal fight, Or that laſt Britiſh refuge, flight. I ſaw with looks downcaſt and grave, The Chief emerging from hisAlluding to the well known fact of Cornwallis's taking up his reſidence in a cave, during the ſiege of York-Town. cave, (Where chaced like hare in mighty round, His hunters earth'd him firſt in ground) And doom'd by • ate to rebel ſway, Yield all his captur'd hoſts a prey. There while I view'd the vanquiſh'd town, Thus with a ſigh my friend went on: " Beholdſt thou not that band forlorn, Like ſlaves in Roman triumphs borne; Their faces length'ning with their fears, And cheeks diſtain'd with ſtreams of tears, Like dramatis perſonoe ſage, Equipt to act on Tyburn's ſtage. Lo theſe are they, who lur'd by follies, Left all and follow'd great Cornwallis; True to their King, with firm devotion, For conſcience ſake and hop'd promotion, Expectant of the promis'd glories, And new Millennial ſtate of Tories. Alas, in vain, all doubts forgetting, They tried th' omnipotence of Britain; But found her arm, once ſtrong and brave, So ſhorten'd now ſhe cannot ſave. Not more aghaſt departed ſouls, Who riſk'd their fate on Popiſh bulls, And find St. Peter at the wicket Refuſe to counterſign their ticket, When driv'n to purgatory back, With all their pardons in their pack: Than Tories muſt'ring at their ſtations On faith of royal proclamations. As Pagan Chiefs at ev'ry criſis, Confirm'd their leagues by ſacrifices, And herds of beaſts to all their deities, Oblations fell at cloſe of treaties: Cornwallis thus in antient faſhion, Concludes his league of cap'tulation, And victims due to Rebel-glories, Gives this sin-off'ring up of Tories. See where reliev'd from ſad embargo, Steer off conſign'd a recreant cargo, Like old ſcapegoats to roam in pain, Mark'd like their great forerunner, Cain▪ The reſt, now doom'd by Britiſh leagues, To juſtice of reſentful Whigs, Hold worthleſs lives on 〈◊〉 ill, Of tenancy at Rebel-will, While hov'ring o'er their forfeit perſons, The gallows waits his ſure reverſions. Thou too, M'Fingal, ere that day, Shalt taſte the terror 〈◊〉 th' affray. See o'er thee hangs in angry ſkies, Where Whiggiſh conſtellations riſe, And while plebeian ſigns aſcend, Their mob-inſpiring aſpects bend; That baleful Star, whoſe —From his horrid Law Shake • 〈◊〉 and war. horrid hair Shakes forth the plagues of down and tar▪ I ſee the pole, that rears on high Its flag terrific thro' the ſky; The Mob beneath prepar'd t' attack, And tar predeſtin'd for thy back! Ah qui • , my friend, this dang'rous home, Nor wait the darker ſceres to come; For know that Fate's auſpicious door, Once ſhut to flight is oped no more, Nor wears its hinge by various ſtations, Like Mercy's door in proclamations. But leſt thou pauſe, or doubt to fly, To ſtranger viſions turn ſhine eye: Each cloud that 〈◊〉 thy mental ray, And all the mortal miſts decay; See more than human Pow'rs befriend, And lo their hoſtile forms aſcend! See tow'ring o'er th' extended ſtrand, The Genius of the weſtern land, In vengeance arm'd, his ſword aſſumes, And ſtands, like Tories, dreſt in plumes, See o'er you Council ſeat with pride, How Freedom ſpreads her banners wide! There Patriotiſm with torch addreſs'd, To fire with zeal each daring breaſt! While all the Virtues in their band, Eſcape from you unfriendly land, Deſert their antient Britiſh ſtation, Poſſeſt with rage of emigration. Honor, his buſineſs at a ſtand, For ſcar of ſtarving quits their land; And Juſtice, long diſgraced at Court, had By Mansfield's ſentence been tranſported. Vict'ry and Fame attend their way, Tho' Britain wiſh their longer ſtay, Care not what George or North would be at, Nor heed their writs of 〈…〉 ; But fired with love of colonizing, Quit the fall'n empire for the riſing." I look'd and ſaw with horror ſmitten, Theſe hoſtile pow'rs averſe to Britain. When lo, an awful ſpectre roſe, With languid paleneſs on his brows; Wan dropſies ſwell'd his ſorm beneath, And iced his bloated cheeks with death: His tatter'd robes expoſed him bare, To ev'ry blaſt of ruder air; On two weak crutches propt he ſtood, That bo •• at ev'ry ſtep he trod, Gilt titles graced their ſides ſo ſlender, One, " Regulation," t'other, " Tender;" His breaſt plate grav'd with various dates, " The faith of all th' United States:" Before him went his fun'ral 〈◊〉 , His grave ſtood dug to wait his fall, I ſtarted, and a haſt I cried, " What means this ſpectre at their ſide▪ What danger from a 〈◊〉 ſo 〈◊〉 , And why he joins that ſplendid train?" " Alas, great Malcolm cried, experience Might • each you not to truſt appearance Here ſtands, as dreſt by fierce B • llona, The ghoſt of Continental Money, Of dame Neceſſity deſcended, With whom Cre •• lity engender'd. Tho' born with conſtitution f •• il, And feeble ſtrength that ſeen muſt 〈◊〉 Yet ſtrangely vers'd in magic lore, And gifted with transforming pow'r. His ſkill the wealth Peruvian joins With diamonds of Brazilian mine • . As erſt Jove ſell by ſubtle wiles, On Danae's apron thro' the tiles, In ſhow'rs of gold; his potent hand Shall ſhed like show' • s thro' all the lard. Leſs great the magic art was 〈◊〉 , Of tallies caſt by Charles theſe ſecond, Or Law's famed Miſſiſſipi 〈…〉 , Or all the wealth of South ſea dreams, For he of all the world alone Owns the longſought Philoſ'pher's ſ • one, Reſtores the ſab'lous times to view, And proves the tale of 〈◊〉 . O'er heaps of rage, he wave 〈◊〉 , All turn to gold at his 〈…〉 , Provide for preſent wants and future, Raiſe armies, victual, clothe, 〈◊〉 , Adjourn our conqueſts by 〈◊〉 , Cheek Howe's 〈…〉 , Then makes all days of 〈…〉 vain, And 〈◊〉 all back to 〈◊〉 again. In vain great Howe ſhall play his part, To ape and counterfeit his art; In vain ſhall Clinton, more belated, A conj'rer turn to imitate it; With like ill luck and pow'r as narrow, They'll fare, like ſor'cers of old Pharaoh, Who tho' the art they underſtood Of turning rivers into blood, And caus'd their frogs and ſnakest' exiſt, That with ſome merit croak'd and hiſs'd, Yet ne'er by ev'ry quaint device, Could frame the true Moſaic lice. He for the Whigs his arts ſhall try, Their firſt, and long their ſole ally; A patriot firm, while breath he draws, He'll periſh in his country's cauſe; And when his magic labours ceaſe, Lie buried in eternal peace. Now view the ſcenes in future hours, That wait the famed European Pow'rs. See where you chalky cliffs ariſe, The hills of Britain ſtrike your eyes: Its ſmall extenſion long ſupplied, By vaſt immenſity of pride; So ſmall, that had it found a ſtation In this new world at firſt creation, Or were by Juſtice doom'd to ſuffer, And •• r its crimes tranſported over, We'd find full room for't in lake Eri, or That larger waterpond, Superior, Where North on margin taking ſtand, Would not be able to ſpy land. No more, elate with pow'r, at eaſe She deals her inſults round the ſeas; See dwindling from her height amain, What piles of ruin ſpread the plain; With mould'ring hulks her ports are fill'd, And brambles clothe the cultur'd field! See on her cliffs her Genius lies, His handkerchief at both his eyes, With many a deepdrawn ſigh and groan, To mourn her ruin and his own! While joyous Holland, France and Spain, With conq'ring navies rule the main, And Ruſſian banners wide unfurl'd, Spread commerce round the eaſtern world. And ſee (ſight hateful and tormenting) Th' Amer'can empire proud and vaunting, From anarchy ſhall change her crafis, And fix her pow'r on firmer baſis; To glory, wealth and ſame aſcend, Her commerce riſe, her realms extend; Where now the panther guards his den, Her de •••• foreſts ſwarm with men, Her cities, tow'rs and columns riſe, And dazzling temples meet the ſkies; Her pines deſcending to the main, In triumph ſpread the watry plain, Ride inland lakes with fav'ring gales, And croud her ports with whit'ning ſails; Till to the ſkirts of weſtern day, The peopled regions own her ſway." Thus far M'Fingal told his tale, When thundring ſhouts his ears aſſail, And ſtrait a Tory that ſtood centry, Aghaſt ruſh'd headlong down the entry, And with wild outcry, like magician, Diſpers'd the reſidue of viſion: For now the Whigs intell'gence found Of Tories muſtring under ground, And with rude bangs and loud uproar, 'Gan thunder furious at the door. The lights put out, each Tory calls To cover him, on cellar walls, Creeps in each box, or bin, or tub, To hide his head from wrath of mob, Or lurks, where cabbages in row Adorn'd the ſide with verdant ſhow. M'Fingal deem'd it vain to ſtay, And riſk his bones in ſecond fray; But choſe a grand retreat from ſoes, In lit'ral ſenſe, beneath their noſe. The window then, which none elſe knew, He ſoftly open'd and crept thro' And crawling ſ • ow in deadly fear, By movements wiſe made good his rear, Then ſcorning all the fame of martyr, For Boſton took his ſwift departure; Nor dar'd look back on fatal ſpot, More than the family of Lot. Not North in more diſtreſs'd condition, Outvoted firſt by oppoſition: Nor good king George when that dire phan • o •• Of Independence comes to haunt him, Which hov'ring round by night and day, Not all his conj'rers yet can lay. His friends, aſſembled for his ſake, He wiſely leſt in pawn at ſtake, To tarring, feath'ring, kicks and drubs Of furious, diſappointed mobs, And with their forfeit hides to pay For him, their leader, crept away. So when wiſe Noah summon'd greeting All animals to gen'ral meeting; From ev'ry ſide the members ſent All kinds of beaſts to repreſent; Each from the flood took care t' embark, And ſave his carcaſe in the ark; But as it fares in ſtate and church, Left his conſtituents in the lurch. FINIS.