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Les disgrammes suivanta illustrent le mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 S 6 >>,'^'^is^p^ •.■''' ^ ■ • ■ 1 « j^ " .|P^l£^i^^^^ ■■ :-.,l"' fB ''Ip. ' •JO A 1^. i ^ 1 i:^J- ^]i.;;\^^ _ ^^,^ s ■:ji Mount Allison University Ralph Pickard Bell Library b^n S; ^j GIFT OF R. MABEE I *F I N 6 L: (.•Mir jft.. ^ A MODER •>•■ ." . -I ■ X HE following Poem was firft pabliHied in 1782, in the State of Connedlicut, where the Author was born, and received his education, and where he now rcfides. It has paiFed through fevcral impreflions in this country, ai^d Great- Britain, and has obtained univerfal celebrity. In 1792, a fpleudid edition of it appeared ia London, with explanatory notes. So far as thefc notes contain fafts, and ferve to elucidate paf- fages, which would be otherwife obfcufe, they are retained in this edition : But as that London edi- tion was publiftied to anfwer the purpofes of a party, and the Editor has taken the liberty to mifreprefent tlie views of the Author, the preface and fuch of the notes as were inJIrted for that purpofe, are here omitted. This h done at the IV PREFACE. requeft of the Author, with whofe permiffion, this edition is offered to the American public. The defign of the Poem will be ft appear from its general tenor. The Author, at the time the oppofition of America to the unjuft claims of the Britifli Parliament was maturing into fyftem, liv- ed in Bo/lon with one of the principal prnjeiflors of American Independence. He efpoufed the caufe of his country, and became intimately ac- quainted with the tranfa;5lions of the early revo- huionifts, and all the meafures of the Britifh agents, to counteraift the oppofition. This ap- pears by a number of Anecdotes, very humor- . oufly related, in the courfe of tlie Poem. - That the Author is a warm friend of Amer- ican Independence, is obvious, from the whole tenor of the work ; and the principal fcope of the Poem feems to have been, to ridicule the claims of the Britifh Parliament, and the meafures pur- fueJ to enforce thiofe claims. At the fame time, the abfurdities and mifcondudl of his own coun- trymen have not efcaped his notice. •' '■ t**'" *fef. PREFACE. T The Author is no friend to monarchy, nor ariflocracy ; nor is he a raving democrat. He is a friend of republican government, and rational liberty — that liberty which is fecured by juft laws, and a fleady adminidrationof juftice. But it is not true that the Poem was written with the fole view to ridicule any particular form of gov- ernment. The fceiie of the Poem is laid in MafTachufetts, where the Revolution originated. The time is in 1775. M*FiNGAL the hero, is defigned to repre- fent the Tory fadtion in general : and Honorius, the Whigs. It is unneceflary to fay any thing of the merit of the Poem. This is univerfally ackn*. v'^ledged ; and the Poem will continue to be read and admir- ed, while true tafte and fcience adorn the civilized world. The philofopher in his clolet, the travel- ler on his voyage, and the man of b'ufmefs at his fire-fide, will always find M*Fingal, an inftruc- tive friend, and a pleafant companion. '.i. ^ ■ •7 THE Notes in this Edition marked *with inverted m Commits^ were inferted by the Author in the firfl Edi- tion ; thofe that are not fo marked y are principally ex* traced and altered from a London Edition^ printed in the Tear 11^2. . ; 1 .' •■, ■K:., ;i-:.». H '-" 1 ,■■ M ' F I N G A L. CANTO FIRST. ■y\i' * The Town-Meeting, A. M. W: HEN Yankies,*i fkill'd in martial rule, FIrft put the Britifh troops to fchool ; Inftrudted them in warlike trade. And new manoeuvres of parade ; The true war-dance of Yankey-reels, And manual exercife of heels ; * Made them give up, like faints complete, The arm of flefli, and truft the feet, * Tanilesf a term formerly of derUlon, but now merely «fdiflindion, given to the people of the four Eaftern States M*F IN G A L. CANTO I. And work, like Chridians undifTembling; Salvation out, by fear and trembling ; ^ Taught Percy fafhionable races, And modern modes of Chevy-Chafes :* From Bodon, in his heft array. Great 'Squire M*Fingal took his way, And, grac'd with enfigns of renown, Steer*d homeward to his native town. His high defcent our heralds trace To f Oflian's fam'd Fingalian race ; For thoiigh their name fome part may lack. Old Fingal fpelt it with a Mac ; Which great M*Pherfon, with fubmifllon. We hope will add the next edition. His fathers flouri(h'd in the Highlands Of Scotia's fog-benighted iflands ; Whence gain'd our 'Squire two gifts by right, Rebellion and the Sccond-fight. Of thefe the firft, in ancjent days, Had gain'd the nobled palms of praife, * Lord Percy commanded the party that was firft oppofed by the Americans at Lexington. This allufion to the family renown of Chevy-Chace arofe from the precipitate manner of his quit* ting the field of battle, and returning to Boflon. - ■.,:■'' f «* See Fingal, an ancient Epic Poem,publiflicd as the work of Oflian, a Caledonian Bard, of the third century, by James M«Pherfon, a Scotch minifterial fcribblcr." ♦r CANTO !. -> i\i M*f I N O A 1. ^ 'Gainfl Kings (lood forth, and many a crown*d head With terror of its might confounded ; Till rofe a King with potent charm His foes by goodncfs to difarm | *- - Whom cv'ry Scot and Jacobite ^ ^ Straight fell in love with — at firft fight ; Whofe gracious fpeech, with aid of pcnfions, Huih'd down all murmurs of diifenfionst And with the found of potent metal, Brought all their bluft'ring (Varnis to fettle i Who rain'd his miniflcrial mannas^ "'-^ Till loud Sedition fung Hofannas ; ^ V* f *> The good Lords Bilhops and the Kirk United in the public work ; - -«***/ Rebellion from the northern regions With Bute and MansHeld fwore allegiance» And all combin'd to raze, as nuifancct Of church and (late, the conftitutions ; Pull down the empire, on whofe ruins They meant to edify their new ones i ^3. Enflave the American wildernefles, : >. And tear the provinces in pieces, • **- -'-^f For thefe our 'Squire, among the valiant'ftt" Employed his time and tools and talents' f And in their caufe, with manly zeal> Us'd his fir ft virtue to rebel ; And found this new rebellion pleafing A'S his old king-deftroying treafon. 10 M^FIN G A L* CANTO U Nor lefs avaiPd his optic fleight, ^ And Scottifli gift of fecond-fight. No ancient fybil, fam'd in rhyme, Saw deeper in the womb of time ; , , , . No block in old Dodona's grove, ' Could ever moreorac'lar prove. _ f ; ;, Nor only faw he all that was, But much that never came to pafs ; Whereby all Prophets far out-went he, Though former days produc*d a plenty ; For any man with half an eye, What ftunds before him may efpy ; But optics fharp it needs, I ween* To fee what is not to be fecn. , >, As in the days of ancient fame Prophets and poets were the fame. And all the praife that poets gain Is tutfor what tli* invent jind feign j So gain'd our 'Squire his fame by feeing Such things as never would have being. Whence he for orades was grown The very iripod* of his town. - : Gazettes no fooncr rofe a lie in« But ftraigbt he fell to prophefying^ - ^^d Made dreadful {laughter in his courfe, ; Overthrew provincials, foot and horfe 5 iV» S ! ,,« I .^ u, : 1 »; • ** The tripod was a facred three legged (lool, frotn whifilk ' Ijic ancient pricft 8 ottered their oracles." CANTO I. M* F I N O A L. 1^1 Brought armies o'er by fudden preflings, Of Hanoverians, Swifs, and Hedians y Feafted with blood his Scottilh clah, And hang*d all rebels to a man ; Divided their eftates and pelf, And took a goodly (hare himfelf,* r ^ All this, with fpirit energetic, "s *a ,4 He did by fecond-fight prophetic. Thus ftor*d with intelledlual riches, Skill'd was our 'Squire in making fpeeches, Where ftrength of brains united centres With ftrength of lungs furpafling Stentor's.- But as fome mufkets fo contrive it, ■ < . As oft to mifs the mark they drive at,- And though well aim'd at duck or plover,/ Bear wide, and kick their owners over : So far*d our 'Squire, whofe reasoning toil* Would often on- himfelf recoik And fomuch injur'd more his ddcr'^ r^ The ftronger arg'ments he apply'd ;■ v;^ * As old war-elephants, diimay'd, .. ^f Trode down the troops they came to aidi *ThIs propKccy, lilcc fome of the- prayers of Hom^% h(i^' roes, Was but half accotrpliihcd. The Hanoveriamt^^Q . indeed, came over, and much were thcy^/eii/f f(f ivitb l/oodi but the banging of all the Rehtth^ and the dividing their eftatts^ remain unfulfilled. This, however, cannot be the fault o£- our Hero, but rather the Britifh Miiiifler, who IJl oil the ^Va'r"^ before the work was completed. 12 M*f IN G AL. CANTO, I. And hurt their own fide pore in battle Than lefs and ordinary cattle, Yet at town meetings ev'ry chief Pinn'd faith on great Jtl*FingaPs flecvc. And, as he motioned all by rote Rais'd fympathetic hands to vole. The town, our Hero's fcene of a^ion, Had long been torn by feuds of fa<5lion ; And as each party's ftrength prevails, It turn'd up different heads or tails > With conftant rattling, in a trice Show'd various fides, as oft as dice : As that fam'd weaver,* wife t' Ulyfles, By night each day's-work pick'd in pieces j And though (he ftoutly did beftir her. Its finifhing w^as ne'er the nearer : So did this town, with ftedfaft zeal, « * ^; Weave cobwebs for the public weal, Which when completed, or before, ,;. A fecond vote in pieces tore. They met, made fpeeches full long-winded, ^Refolv'd, protefted, and refcinded ; Add^^fles /ign'd, then chole Committees,"* T»^M||ri^ of Bohea-teas ;f mi *■ *i*'>;l^ \# i,- i i> . -fM^-t ; ;>'»^»- "• .f .tX-.-;? * Homer's O^flTey. f Oi»6f the futjedls of dlfputc, which brought on the war, 'WM a tax laM upon tea, on its importation into the theB i #«' -^* • CANTO I. M*F I NO AX. With winds of do<5tnne vecrM about, And turn'd all Whig-Committees out* Meanwhile our Hero, as their head, In pomp the tory fallen led, Still following, as the 'Squire fhould pleafe, Succeffive on, like files of geefe. And now the town was fummon'd, greetings To grand parading of town-meeting ; A fhow, that ftrangers might appal, As Rome's grave fenate did the Gaul. High o'er the rout, on pulpit-ftairs,* Like den of thieves in houfe of pray'rs, (That houfe, which, loth a rule to break, * Serv'd Heav'n. but one day ia the week. Open the reft for all fup plies '• Of news and politics and lies,) Stood forth the conftable, and bore His ftafF, like Merc'ry's wand of yore, Wav'd potent round, the peace to keep. As that laid dead men's fouls to fleep. Colonics. And, therefore, one of the weapons of oppofition, made ufe of by the people, was 3 univerfal agreement, not f ifrini any Tea until the tax/boultl he taken ojf. The Committees, here referred to, were called Committees of Safety ; part of their bufinefs was to watch over the .execution of the volun- tary regulations made by the people i^the feveral towns. I * In.country-towniVie tg^irn'me^in^ is genera|Lf|ii the Church. '■i» *. ■* H M^FIKG AL. CANTO R. rt>Vv,>:' Above, and near th* Hermetic ftaflF, The *xnoderator'i5 upper half In grandeur o'er the cufhion bow*d, Like Sol half fcen behind a cloud. ' Beneath ftood voters of all colours, Whigs, tories, orators, and bawlers, Withjev'ry tongue in either fadion, Prepared like'minute-menjf for a^ion ; Where truth and falfehood^ wrong and right,. f Draw all their legions out to fight ; ■j With equal uproar, fcarcely rave - -^ Oppofing winds in -^olus* cave ;* Such dialogues, with earned face,. *■ =^ ' * Held never Balaam with his aft. / ^ ■ With daring zeal and courage blefti- , , Honorius firft the crowd addrefs'd ; When now our 'Squire, returning late, ArrivM to aid the grand debajs, With Jlrange four faces fat him do^,> While thus^the orator went on r i^-i. * Moderator is the name commonly given to the cHairmaiK' or fpeaker of the town-meeting. He it here feated m the- pulpit. j- MUtute'tnen were that part of the militia of our country' who, being drafted and enroikd by.thcnifelves, were prepared ^tnarch at a minute's wanj^- —4^ v t-i:_ ivesaaia* required. ^ ; ' * ■■J.'* W- er the public CANTO I. M* F I K G A L. " — For age$ bleft, thus Britain rofc. The terror of encircling foes ; Her heroes rurd the bloody plain ; Her ccnqu'ring Aandard aw*d the mam 4 The different palms lier triumphs grace« ■ Of arms in war, of arts in peace : IJnharafs*d by maternal care, Each rifing province flouriIh*d fair ; Whofe various wealth with lib'ral hand« By far overpaid the parent land. But though So bright her fun might fhine, *Twas quickly hafting to decline, With feeble rays, too weak t' alTuage The damps, that chill the eve of age. *< For dates, like men, are doomed as wfill Th* infirinities of age to feel ; And from their different forms of empire^ Are feizM with every deep didemper. Some dates high fevers have madfe head in. Which nought could cure but copious bleeding ; While others have grown dull and dozy« Or fix*d in helplefs idiocy 4 Or turn'd demoniacs, to belabour Each peaceful habitant and neighbour ; [Or, vcf'd with hypocondriac fits, [Hfive brolf their firength, and loft thfiii* wits. « i6 M*F I N G A L, CANTO I. ** Thus now, while hoar^ years prevail, •Good Mother Britain feem'd to fail ; Her back bent, crippled with the weight Of age and debts, and cares of ftate : For debts llie owM, and thofe fo lat-ge That twice her wealth could not difcharge ; And now 'twas thought, fo high they'd grown. She'd break, and come upon the town ;* Her arms, of nations ohce the dread, She fearce could lift above her head ; Her deafen'd ears ('twas all their hope) The final trump perhaps might ope, So long they'd been in ftupid mood. Shut to the hearing o£ all good ; Grim Death had put her in his fcrolli Down on the execution roll ; And Gallic crows, as (he grew weaker. Began to whet their beaks to pick her. And now, her pow'rs decaying faft. Her grand clima<5l'ric had fhe pad. And jud like all old women elfe, Fell in the vapours much by fpells. Strange whimfies on her fancy ftruck. And gave her brain a difmal fhock'l * 7« come upM the to^vn^ that is, to become This remark will ferve to explai|g|||any otheif town regulaticni^n. the courfe of thi^i li'^vl^i..... ifi^fii ■ 'oeni. *<|l«r vCANTO I. M^F I NG AL, 17 Her mem'ry fails, her judgment ends ; She quite forgot her nearefl: friends ; Loft all her former fenfe and knowledge, And fitted faft for Bethle*m coll'ige : •Of all the pow'rs (he once retain'd, ^Conceit and pride alone remained. As Eve, when falling, was fo moded To fancy flie fhould grow a goddefs ; As madmen, ftraw who long have flept on. Will ftyle them, Jupiter, or Neptune ; So Britain, 'midft her airs fo flighty, Now took a whim to be almighty ; Urg'd on to defpVate heights of frenzy^ AffirmM her own Omnipotency ;* Would rather ruin all her race, Than 'bate fupremacy an ace ; Afliim'd all rights divine, as grown The church's head, like good pope Joan ; Swore all tlie world fhould bow and Ikip To her almighty Goody (hip 5 Anath'matiz'd each unbeliever. And vow'd to live and rule for ever. Her fervants humour'd every whim, And own'd at once, her power fupreme. Her follies pleas'd in all their ftages, • Sec the atft, declaring that the King and Parliament had "** a/ightto bind the Colonics in all cafxt xvbatfotver.'* ^ i8 ji^Fl NO AL. CANTO 1. For fake of legacies and wages ; In * Stephen's Qhapel then in ftatc too Sat up her golden calf to pray to* Proclaimed its pow'r and right diviney And calPd for worfhip at its ihriney And for poor Heretics to burn us Bade North prepare his fiery furnace ; Struck bargains with the Romifh churches^ Infallibility to purchafe ; Sat wide for Popery the door> Made friends with BabePs fcarlet whore^ Join'd both the matrons firm in clan ; No fifters made a better fpan. ^^ No wonder then, ere this was over, That Ihe fliould make her children fuffer. She firft, without pretence of reafon, Claim*d right whatever we had to feizc on ; And, with determinM refolution To put her claims in execution, Sent fire and fword, and calPd it, Lc'nity', Starv'd us, and chriften'd it. Humanity. For fhe, her cafe grown defperater, Miftook the plaineft things in n^re ; , Had loft all ufe of eyes or wits | Took flav'ry for the Bill of Rights ; v ; Trembled at whigs and deem*d them foes, * And ftopp'd at loyalty her nofe ; * • " The Parliament-Houfc Is called by that name.* CANTO I. M^F IN OA£. 19^ StjVd her own children brats and caitiffs, And knew not us from th* Indian natives. " What though with fupplicating prayer We begg'd our lives and goods ihe'd fpare ; Not vainer vows, with fillier call, Elijah's prophets rais'd to Baal ; A worlhlpp'd (lock, of god or goddefs,^ Had better heard and underftood us. So once Egyptians at the Nile Ador*d their guardian Crocodile, Who heard them firft with kindefl: car. And ate them to reward their pray 'r ; And could he talk, as kings can do. Had made as gracious fpeeches too. " Thus, fpite of pray'rs her fchemes purfuing. She ftill went on to work our ruin ; AimulPd our charters of relcafes. And tore our title-deeds in pieces ; Then fign'd her warrants of eje<5lion, And gallows raised to ft retch our necks on : And on thcfe errands fcnt in rage. Her bailiff, and her hangman. Gage,* ♦ General Gage, commander in chief of the khio's troops i« North- Apfterica, WHS appointeti in 1773 |jjovcrnor and vice-ad- miral of MaflaAufetts, in the room of Hutchinfon, who had been the mpfl: aAivc agent of the Miniiler, in fomenting the difputes which brought on the war. The charader and conduct of cJage is defcrib^d with great jufticc in the fubfeijucnt part of thi« fpccch of Honoriua. . 20 M^F I N O AL. CANTO I- And at his keels, like dogs to bait us,- Difpatch'd her Pofe Comitatus^ " No ftate e*er chofe a fitter perfon. To carry fuch a filly farce on. As heathen gods in ancient days *• * Hcceiv'd at fecond-hand their praife. Stood imag'd forth in fiones and (locks. And deified in barbers* blocks ; So Gage was chofe to reprefcnt Th' omnipotence of Parliament. " ?. And as old heroes gain'd, by ihifts, ; ; From gods (as poets tell) their gifts y -.-i- Our general, as his a<5^ions (how, Gain'd like affiftance from below, By Satan graced with full fupplles. From all his magazine of lies : Yet could his practice ne'er impart The wit, to tell a lie with art : ^ . ^ - Thofe lies alone are formidable. Where artful truth is mix*d with fable f * But Gage has bungled oft fo vilely. No foul could credit lies fo filly ; Outwent all faith, and ftretch'd beyond Credulity's extremeft end. WLence plain it feems, though Satan ance O'crlook*d with fcorn each brainlefs dunce. And, blund'ring brutes in Eden ihunning, Chofe out the ferpent for his cunning ; by craft or prdweis. Have done a whit more mifchief to us. Since he began th' unnatural war. The work his mafters fent him for* " And arc there in this free-born land, Among ourfelves, a venal band, A diiftard race, who long have fold Their fouls and confciences for gold ; Who wilh to flab their country's vitals, If they might heir furviving titles ; With joy behold our mifchief brewing, Infult and triumph in our ruin ? Priefts, who, if Satan fhould fit down To make a Bible of his own, Would gladly, for the fake of mitres, Turn his infplr'd and facred writers ; Lawyers, wlio, fhould he wifli to prove His title t* his old feat above. Would, if his caufe he'd give 'em fees In, ^i 22 M^ F I N G A L. CANTO r. Bring writs o^ Entry fur dljftifm^ Plead for him boldly at the I'elfion, And hope to put him in poflcflion ; Merchants, wlio, for his kindly aid. Would make him partner in their trade^ H.uig out their ligns with goodly (how, Inlcrib'd with " Beelzebub and Co,** And judges, who would liil his pages, For proper liveries and wages j And who as humbly cringe and bow To all his mortal fervants now ? There are ; andjhame, with pointing geftures^ Marks out the Addrelkrs and Prote Iters j* Whom following down tlie ftream of fate. Contempts ineffable await, \ v .• And public infamy, forlorn, ,;, Dread hate, and everlafling fcorn.'* As thus he fndke, our 'Squire M*Fingal Gave to his partifans a fignah Not quicker roU'd the waves to land, When Mofcs wavM his potent wand, • '■• Nor with more uproar, than the Tories :^> - Sat up a general rout in chorus ; , „ . • The Addresskrs were thofc who addrcfled General Gage with exprcflions of gratitude and attachment, on his ar- rival with a fleet and army to fubdue tlie colonies. The Protesters were thofe whoproteftcdagainil the meafures of tke firft Congrefs, and the general lefolutions of the country. CANTO U M^F I N O A L. »3 LaughM, hifsM, henim'd, murmur'd, groan'd, and Honorius now could fcnrre be heard. [jcer'd ; Our Mufc amid th' incrcaling roar, Could not didingutlh one word more ; Thougli ihc fat by, in firm record To take in Ihort-hand every word ( Ac ancient Mufes wont, to whom Old bards for depofiticns come ; Wlio muft have writ 'cm ; for how elfc Could they each fpeech verbatim tell us ? And though fome readers of romances Are apt to drain their tortur'd fancies, And doubt when lovers all alone Their fad foliloquies do groan. Grieve many a page with no one near 'cm. And nought but rocks and groves to hear *cm. What fprite infernal could have tattled And told the authors all they prattled \ Whence fome weak minds have made obje^ion^ That what thev fcribbled muft be fi^ion : 'Tis falfc, for while the lovers fpoke. The Mufe was by with table-book ; And, left fome blunder might cnfue. Echo ftood clerk, and kept the cue. And though the fpeech ben'c worth a groat, A« ufual, 'tisn't tlie author's fault, 24 M*F I N G A L, CANTO L P But error merely of the prater, '<' n Who fhould have talkM to th* purpofe better ; Which full excufe, my critic brothers, . May help me out as well as others ; % And 'tis defign'd, though here it lurk, ;• ^' To ferve as preface to this work. - ' / So let it be — for now our 'Squire No longer could contain his ire 5 .. And ri/lng, 'midft applauding. Tories, ; Thus vented wrath upon Honorius. • * Quoth he, " 'Tis wond'rous what ftrange ftuff Your Whigs* heads are compounded of; Which force of logic cannot pierce. Nor A'lbgiftic carte £3* //>rrr, Nor .1w<^rt of icripture or of reafon SiHH^e to make the lead impreflion. Not Seeding what ye rais'd centeft on. Ye prate, and beg or fteal the que ft ion ; , And when your boafted arguings fail. Straight leave all reasoning o-ff, to rail. Have not our High-Church Clergy made it Appear from fcriptures, which ye credit, That right divine from heaven was lent To kings, that is, tJie Parliament, Their fubjcds to opprefs and teaze. And ferve tlie Devil when they pleafe ? Did they not write, and pray, and preach. And torture all tlie parts of ij^eech ; * ** 4 CANTO I. M*F ING A L. ^5 About Rebellion malce a pother, «i From one end of the land to th' other ? And yet gain'd fewer pros'lyte Whigs, Than old * St. Anth'ny 'mongft the pigs ; And chang'd not half fo many vicious As Auftin, when he preach'd to fifhes ; Who throng'd to hear, the legend tells. Were edified and wagg'd tlieir tails ; But fcarce youM prove it, if you tried, v That e'er one Whig was edified. ' v Have ye not heard from f Parfon Walter Much dire preflige of many a halter ? --.p- What warnings had ye of your duty '^ From our old Rev'rend f Sam. Auchmuty ? From priefts of all degrees and metres, T* our fag-end man, poor J Parfon Peters ? Have not our Cooper and our Seabury Sung hymns, like Barak and old Deborah ; * " The ftories of St. Anthony and his pig, and St. Auftin'$ preaching to fifhes, are told in the Popifii legends." f " High-Church Clergymen, one at Bofton, and one at New-York." I " Peters, a Tory-Clergyman in Connedlicut, who, after making liinu^elf detcftable by his inimical condiitft, abfconded from the contempt, rather than the vengeance of his country- men, and fled to England, to make complaints againft that Colony : Cooper, a writer, poet, and fatirift of the fame flamp, Prefident of the College at New-York ; Seabury, a Clergy- man of the fame Province." ' -- 'f 26 MT I N G AL. CANTO I. Proved all intrigues to fet you free, ■ Rebellion 'gainft the pcw^n that be ; Brought over many a fcripture text That us'd to wink at rebel fefts ; . CoaxM wayward ones to favour regents* Or paraphrased them to obedience ; Prov*d ev'ry king, ev'n thofe confeft Horns of th' Apocalyptic beaft, And fprouting from its noddles feven, Orduin'd, as bifliops are, by Heaven, (For reafons fim'lar, we are told, That Tophet was ordain'd of old ;) By this lay ordination valid Becomes all fandlified and hallow'd, Takes patent out when Heav*n has fign'd it. And ftarts np ftraight the Lord's anointed ? Like extreme unction, that can cleanfe Each penitent from deadly fins, Make them run glib, when oiPd by prieft, The heavenly road, like wheels new greas'd. Serve them like flioe-ball, for defences ' : 'Gainfl: wear and tear of confciences ; So king's anointment cleans betimes, Like fuller's earth, all ipots cf crimes ; For future knav'ries gives commifilons, Like Papifts finning under liccnfe, For Heaven ordain'd the origin, Divme* declare, of pain and fin ; ■;;;M;-.- -" CANTO I. M'F I N G A L, 27 Prove fuch great good they both have done us, Kind mercy 'twas they came upon us : For without pain and fin and folly, Man ne'er were bleft, or wife, or holy ; And we fhould * thank the Lord 'tis fo. As authors grave wrote long ago. Now Heav'n its ifliics never brings < Without the means, and theie are kings ; And he who blames when they announce ills. Would counterad: th* eternal councils. As when the Jews, a murm'ring race, '^ *' By conflant grumblings fell from grace, Heav'n taught them firft to know their diftance> By famine, flav'ry, and Phlliftines ; '* ^ When thefe could no repentance bring, In wrath it fent them lafl: a king. So nineteen, 'tis believ'd, In twenty \; Of modern kings, for plagues are fent ye ;. Nor can your cavillers pretend. But that they anfwer well their end. *Tis yours to yield to their command,, ' As rods In Providence's hand ; ' And If it means to fend you pain, You turn your nofes up in vain : Your only way's in peace to bear it^ ^ And make neccfuty a merit. . . * " See the Movleru Mctaj^hriiciil Diviirity.'*' 28 M*f I N O A L. CANTO I, Hence Aire perdition muft await \ r i v^ f The man who rifes 'gainft the ftate, . t Who meets at once the damning fentence^ . , ^ Without one loop- hole for repentance ; E'en though he gain*d the royal fee, , i ^^ And riink among the pcnsfrs that he : For hell is theirs, the Scripture Ihows, Wlioe*cr the po^cors that he oppofe, And all thofe powers (1 am clear that 'tis fo) Are damn' d forever, Lord Dartmouth's felf might out-be-drivcl." " Have you forgot," Honorius cried, << How your prime faint the truth defied,* Affirmed he never wrote a line, Your chartered rights to undermine ; When his own letters then were by, >i • That prov'd his me^ag« all a lie ? : ' * . How many promifes he feaPd :, To get the oppreffive afts repealed ; r" ; Yet, once arriv'd on England's fhore, Set on the Premier to pafs more ? -i .^ ~ - But thefe are no defers, we grant, ■ ,4 > j-/ In a right loyal Tory faint, Whofe godlike virtues muft with eafc n. f^ Atone fuch venal crimes as thefe : ^ Or ye perhaps in Scripture fpy A new Commandment, " Thou (halt lie ;" And if 't be fo, (as who can tell ?) . { There's no one, fure, ye keep fo well." • , Quoth he, " For lies and promife-breaking Ye need not be in fuch a taking ; ;'-■*- For lying is, we know and teach, ^ . j. |. The highell privilege of ipeech ; * The detcdlon of falfehood in Gevcmor HutcTiinfon, here •alluded to, k a curioui little hiftory. It is told at large m tlu J^mtmbrofuer, publifhed by Alnion, vol. I. *l^ 34 M*F I N G A L. CANTO I. The univcrfal Magna Charta, «' t > . ' To which all human race is party ; ; . Whence children firft, as David fays, * • Lay claim to 't in their carlieft days $ - < - The only (Iratagem in war , it Our Gen'rals have occaAon for ,; -> Tne only freedom of the prefs ^ Our politicians need in peace : -'i And 'tis a ihame you wiih t' abridge u« Of thefe our darling privileges. Thank Heav'n, your fhot have mifs'd their aim^ For lying is.no fin, or fhame. ** As men laft wills may change again, Though drawn in name of God, Amen ,; Befure they muft have much the .Tiore, O'er promifcs as great a pow'r, Which, made in hafte, with fmall infpef^ion. So much the more will need corre?tv-vf 1»- Mi^^g;^ .ji*»ari3i»».i:*'ni-',. ■..'.*-'i--'U ■ CANTO I. M^ F I N O A L. 35 Yet when he faw, 'gainft troops that brav'd him, They were the only guards that fav*d him, Kept off that Satan of a Putnam,* From breaking in to maul and mutt'n him : He*d too much wit fuch leagues t' obfcrvc. And (hut them in again to (larve. " So Mofes writes, when female Jews Made oaths and vows unfit for ufe, ♦> £ Their parents then might iet them free ;;' ^ } From that confc'entious tyranny : And ihall men feel that fpir'tual bondage For ever, wlien they grow beyond age ; Nor have pow*r their own oaths to change I 1 think the tale were very (Irange. -- ^ Shall vows but bind the ftout and ftrong. And let go women weak and young, . ^,j As nets incloie the larger crew, - Mfc..,^ |||g And let the fmaller fry creep through ? Befides, the Whigs have all been fet on,. TheTories to affright and threaten, , , ^ Tin Gage, amidft his trembling fits. Has hardly kept him in his wits j, 4 .^ * >r.r'f * Gen::ral Putnam of ConnecSlicut, who had' gained great reputution, as a Partifan officer, in the war before iall, came forward with adivity in the beginning of the war of inde- pendence ; but hijj ago and infirmities obliged him foon to (juit the field. ■ o -J ^.i M^F I N O A L« CANTO U 3 ■* ( 36 And though he fpeak with art and fineile^ 'Tis faid beneath durefs per minaj* For we're in peril of our fouls From feathers, tar, and lib*rty-polcs ? And vows extorted are not binding In law, and fo not worth the roinding^r For we have in this hurly-burly Sent off our confciences on furlough ; Thrown our religion o'er in form. Our fliip to lighten in the ftorm. Nor need we blulh your Whigs beforci If weVe no virtue, you've no more. ** Yet, black with fms, would (lain a mitre^ Rail ye at crimes by ten tints whiter I And, fluff M with choler atrabilious, Infult us here for peccadilloes ? "While all your vices run fa-high That mtrcy fcarce could find fupply : While, Ihould you offer to repent, You'd need more fading days than Lent, More groans than haunted church-yard valleys And more confeffions than broad-alleys.* I'll Hiow you all at fitter time, Th' extent and greatnefs of your crime^ • ^'Uluding to cliurch difcIpHDe) where a perfoB u obliged to fta'.d in the aiflc of the church, called tlic broad alley, name the offence of which he has been g,nilty, and afk pardon of hit ketliFciu \ CANTO I. M^F I N O A L» And here dcmonftrate to your face. Your want of virtue, as of grace, Evinc'd from topics old and recent : But thus much mud fuffice at prefent. - To th' after portion of the day, I leave what more remains to fay ; When Pve good hope you'll all appear. More Beted and prepared to hear, And griev*d for all your vile demeanour ; But now 'tis time t' adjourn for dinner/* 37 !'■•'(, 'I £ND or THE FIRST CANTO* •,■ , t ' - •.,■!■ ■>■ . ' »,i, • f < ^ i., "1"'.' . <.. ' »' > t-'.wi '««.■ M*F I N G At. CANTO SECOND. The Town-Meeting, P.M.. X HE Sun, who never ftops to dine, Two hours had pafs*d the mid-way line ;; And, driving at his ufual rate, Lafli'd on his downward car of ftate j^ And now expir'd the ihort vacation, And dinner done in epic falhion ; While all the crew be'">eath the trees, Eat pocket-pics or bread and cheelc ; Nor (hall we, like old Homer, care To verfify the bill of fare. For now each party, feafted well, Th.ong'd in, like fheep, at found of bcJJ,. With equal fpirit look their places ;. And meeting op'd with three O ycflcs : *?. CANTO II, M*F I N G A L* .39 When firft the daring Whigs t' oppofe. Again the great M*Fingal rofe, .Stretch'd magifterial arm amain, ' if And thivs aflumM th' accufing ftrain. ' '^ " Ye Whigs, attend, and hear, affrighted, The crimes whereof ye ftand indifted ; . * The fins and follies paft alLcompafs, * ^ ' v - That pj-ove you guilty, or mn ^compos* '^ '- I leave the verdi<5l to your ienfes, - r ' And Jury of your confciences; ' '" Which, though they're neither good nor true;, Muft yetconvidt you and your crew. Ungrateful fons ! a fadious band. That rife again ft your parent land ! Ye viper race, that burftdn ftrife, ^ « at r The welcome womb that .gave you life. Tear with Iharp fangs, and forked tongue, Th* indulgent bowels, whence you fprung^ And fcorn the debt of obligation. You juftly owe the Britifli nation, - ■ . Which fince you cannot .pay, your crew Affecft to fwear 'twas never due. " Did not the deeds of England's Primate* Firft drive your fathers to this climate, ;J %c **■* ^. 1*. • The pcrfecutlons of the EngUfli Church under Ardh- biihop Laud, arc well fciiown to have been the caufe of ^hc peopiwi^ of New-England. % 40 M^F I N O A L. CANTO II* Whom jails, and fines, and cv'ry ill " Forced to their good againft their will ? Ye owe to their obliging temper The peopling your new-fangled empire, While every Britiih ad and canon Stood forth, your caufajine qua mn* Did they not fend you charters o'er, And give you lands you own'd before, III Permit you all to fpill your blood. And drive out heathen where you could ; On tliefe mild terms, that, conqueft won. The realm you gained fliould be their own I Or when of late, attacked by thofe, Whom her connexion made your foes,* Did they not then, diftrefl; in war, Send Gen*rals to your help from far, Whole aid you own*d in terms lefs haughty, And thankfully overpaid your quota? Say, at what period did they grudge To fend you Governor or Judge, * The war of 1775, between the Englifli and the French, was doubtlefs excited by circumftances foreign to the intercfts •of the colonies -which now form the United States. The col- onies, however, paid more than their proportion of the ex- penfe, and the balance was repaid by the Britiih government, afti^" th« war. .,^-., ... \- .' CANTO II, mVfino AL. 41 '-'i -^ \ .■•'k'*' With all their miffionary crew,* To teach you law and gofpel too ? Brought o'er all felons in the nation, To help you on in pOf)ulation, Proposed their Bilhops to furrcnder, And made their Priefts a legal tender, .6 Who only afk'd, in furplice clad, , The fimple tytlie of all you had : I And now to keep all knaves in awe, r- ; Have fent their troops t' eftablifti law, ■' And with gunpowder, fire, and ball, > Reform your people one and all. Yet, when their infolence and pride ' Have anger*d all the world belide. When fear and want at once invade, Can you refufe to lend them aid ; And rather rifque your heads in fight. Than gratefully throw in your mite ? Can they for debts make iatisfadion, -^v f Sliould they difpofe 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, with want oppreft, Infei t his name in bankrupt lift, * The Miflionarics were clergymen, ordained by the Bifhdp of London, and fettled in America. Thofe in the Northern Colonics were generally attached to the Royal caufe* ■fz. fv >:-<^ Ji m 42 M^F IN G A L. CANTO n» And fhut nplliop, like failmg merchant, That fears the bailiffs fliould make fearch in*t I With poverty fhall princes ftrive, And nobles lack whereon to live ? ' Have they not rack'd their whole inventions, To feed their brats on pofts and penfions, * Made e'en Scotch friends with taxes groan. And pick'd poor Ireland to the bone ; Yet have on hand, as well deferving. Ten tlioufand baftards left for ftarving ? And can you now, with confcience clear, Refufe them an afylum here? Or not maintain, in manner fitting, Thefe genuine fons of Mother Britain ? T' evade tliefe crimes of blacked grain. You prate of Liberty in vain. And ftrive to hide your vile defigns, terms abftrufe, like fchool-divines. Your boafted patriotifm is fcarce, Your country's love is but a farce ; And after all the proofs you bring, We Tories know there's no fuch thing j Our Englifli writers of great fame Prove public virtue but a name. Hath not * Dalrymple ihow'd in print, .^ ^^ And * Johnfon too, there's nothing In't 't tt :f. ♦ " Mintftenal Penfioners.** CANTO II. M* F I N O A L. 43 ■ >• ■ I- r^V Froduc'd you demonftration ample, Iroxn others' and their own example. That felf is ftill, in either fa 44 M* F I N G A L* CANTO 11. CAN' ,.j -,^ i ii' Aflirm your unlverfal failure In ev^ry principle of valour. And fwear no fcamp'rcrs e*er could match yoit;. So fwlft, a bullet fcarce could catch you ? . ' A And will ye not confefs in this^ ^ A judge moft competent ht i^, ■ 'i / ; Well ikilPd on runnings to dedidcj i' - ' As what himfelf has often tried ? 'Twould not, methinks, be labour lofty - If you'd lit down and count the coft ; ' And ere you call your Yankies out, Firft think what work you've fet abouU Have ye not rous'd, his force to try on,» That grim old beaft, the Brit'Oi Lion I ' ' And know you not that at a fup He's large enough to eat you up ? Have you furvey'd his jaws beneath,. Drawl inventories of his teeth, : Or have you weigh'd in even balance His flrength and magnitude of talons ?' His roar would turn your boafts to fear^ As eaiily as four fmall-beer, And make your feet from dreadful fray^ By native inftlnd-, run aw.iy, ^'' Britain, depend on't, will take on her * T* alfert her dignity and honour. And ere Ihc'd lofe yciir fliare of pelf, Dcftroy your country,, and herfelf. * fj r.i ■ ■ ' CANTO lU M^P IN G A U 45 :i vA ...-i" For has not North declared they fight To gain fubftantial rev'nue by't, Denied he*d evfcr deign to treat, ' ' 'Till on your knees, and at his feet ? And feel you not a trifling ague, From Van's Delenda eft Carthago r* « - ■ ' For this, now Britain has come to't; * s ,' Think you Ihe has not means to do't ? Has Ine not fet to work all engines • To fpirit up the native Indians, ' > -^ ■ Send on your backs a favage band, ' • ^ '• ; i With each a hatchet in his hand, ' - ' >- ; . T* amufe themlelves with fcalping-knives, t- ' ^^ And butcher children and your wives ; : :"; ;; ^ That (he may boad again with vanity, " ■ Her Englifli national humanity ? iiij ( For now, in its primeval lenle, ^M| This term, ^w;//^/;'/^, comprehends AH things of which, on this fide hell. The human mind is capable ; And thus *tis well, by writers fage. Applied to Britain and to Gage.) And on this work to raife allies »She fent her duplicate of Guys, ; * *^ To drive at difF'rent p-.irts at once on, Her flout Guy Carleton and Guy Johnfon % , * Alluding, as is fuppofed, to a fpeech in the Britilh Par- liament, in which " Delenda eft Carthago" was applied to America. 46 M*F I N O AL. CANTO lU ifi,' Tb each of whom* to fend again ye, .' . Old Guy of Warwick were a ninny ; Though the dun cow he fell'd in war, Thefe kill-cows are his betters far. . ^ ** And has (he not ailky'd her notes, > To roiife your flaves to cut your throats. Sent o'er ambaffadors with guineas, . To bribe your blacks in Carolinas ? And has not Gage, her mifllonary. Turned many an Afric flave t' a Tory, And made th* Amer*can Bi (hop's fee grow^ By many a new-converted Negro ? - As friends, to gov'mment did not he Their flaves at Bofton late fet free I Eulift them all in black parade,. Set off with regimental i:ed ? And were they not accounted then ; Among his very braved men ? And when fiich means flie ftoops to take„ . ^ Think YOU ilie Is not uide awake I As Eliphaz' good man in Job,, . ^^ a Own'd numVous allies through the globe ; Had brought the *ilones along the flrect ...j • To ratify a covenant meet, .^ * The Hones and all the elements with thee • - ■ Shall rutify a ftrid confied'racy ; 'Wild beafls their lavage temper fliall forget, And for a firm alliance with thee treat. Blackmore's Paraphrase. OF Job; CANTO II. M*F 1 N G A L. 47 And ev'ry bcaft, from lice to lions, To join in league of ftriip- ^.lliance : Has fhe not cring'd, in fpite of pride, For like affiftance, far and wide ? ■'■^ Wasihere a creature fo defpisM, * ■ ^ ' Its aid ihc has not fought and priz'd ? • ' Till all this formidable league rofe Of Indians, Britilh troops, and Negroes : And can you break thefe triple bands, By all your workmanihip of hands ?" " Sir," quoth Honorius, " we prefume,, ' You guefs from pa ft feats, what's to come ; And from the mighty deeds of Gage, Poretel how fierce the war he'll wage. ^ ' -^ You, doubtlefs^ recolle<2ed here * /^ The annals of his firft great year ; ' -* '**'^ > While, wearying out the Tories' patience, Re fpent his breath in proclamations ; While all his mighty noife and vapour ''' *" Was us'd in wrangling upon paper ; " And beaded military fits ' *■ ' Clos'd in the ftraining of his wits ; ' While troops in Bofton commons plac'd Laid nought but quires of paper wafte ; While ftrokes alternate ftunn'd the nation, Proteft, addrefs, and proclamation ; And fpeech met fpeech, fib clafh'd with fib. And G',}^e PdW anfwer'd, fquib for fquib. Un's*,!^ it 3» 48 lyi'T I K G A L, PANTO II. " Though this not all his time was loft on ; He fortify'd the town of Bofton ; , ■ Built breaft-works that might lend aflldauce , ; To keep the patriots at a diftance ; ., . f •• ; (For howfoe'er the rogues might feoff, .,•,■! He likM them beft, the i^irtheft off ;) Of mighty ufe and help to aid His courage when he felt afraid ; , And whence right off, in manful ilation, He*d boldly pop his proclamation. Our hearts muft in our bofoms freeze • At fuch heroic deeds as thefe." " Vain," quoth our 'Squire, " you'll find to fneer At Gage's firft triumphant year ; For Providence, difpos'd to teaze us, Can ufe what inftruments it pleafes. To pay a tax, at Peter's wilh, . ' His chief calhier was once a Fldi ; An Afs, in Balaam's fad difaller, Tum'd orator, and fav*d his mafter ; < A Goofe, plac'd fentry on his Ration, Preferv'd old Rome from defolation ; An Englifti bi(hop*s * Cur of late - Difclos'd rebellions 'gainft the State ; So Frogs croak'd Pharaoh to repentance. And Lice reversed the threat'ning fentence : And Heav'n can ruin you at pleafure. By oar icorn'd Gage, as well as Ceiar. ,. * " Sec Bifiiop Auerbury\ trial." . ' CANTO II. M* F I N O A L. 49 Yet did our hero in thefe days Pick up fome laurel wreaths of praifc. And as the flatuary of Seville ' Made his crack'd faint an excellent devil $ So though our war few triumphs brings, We gain*d great fame in other things. , Did not our troops fhow much difcerning, And fkill, your various arts in learning ? Outwent they not each native noodle By far, in playing Yankey-Doodle ?* Which, as 'twas your New-England tune, 'TvvHS marvellous they took fo foon : And ere the year was fully through, ^^ Did iioi they learn to foot it too — And fuch a dance as ne'er was known, For twenty miles on end led down l-f Was there a Yankey trick you knew, They did not play as well as you ? ' " ^ * Yankkt-Doodle, as M'Fingal here relates, was a na- tive Air of New-England, and was of.cn played in derlilon by the Britiih troops, particularly on tV»cir march to Lexing- ton. Afterwards the captive army of Burgoyne was obliged to march to this tune in the ceremony of piling their arms, at Saratoga. In the tourfe of the war. It became a favourite air of Liberty, like the pxefent Ca Ira of France. It is re- iT-.arkable, that after the taking of the BaftlUe, and before the introdudion of Ca Ira, the Paris guards played Yankey» Boodle. f This is Lard Percy's modern Chcvy-chace ; in which his ilordfhip and his army were diaced from Conc^ird to BoHou. %0 I ■!)• t^i '-■•■.' ♦• •''. -/ 50 M*F 1 N O A L. CANTO II. Did tlicy not lay their heads together, And gain your art to tar and feather. When Cornel Nefl)itt through the town In triumph bore the country-clown ? ' ^ Oh, what a glorious work to fing The veteran troops of Britain's king. AdventVing for th* heroic laurel, With bag of feathers and tar-barrel ! To paint the cart where culprits ride, And Nelbitt marching at its fide,* * In the winter of 1774 and 1775, the, Britifli army 4iad been ftimulated by their officers and the Toric», to an ardent ddire to fee hoftiiities commence. But the inftigators, wifh- ing the Americans to be the aggreffors, .ufcd the following ftratagem to complete their purpofe. On the firft of May^ I775'» the king-s flandard was to be creAed at'Worccfter,.fifty miles from Boftow,when Lieutenant Colonel Nelbitt immortalized himfelf by executing this plan to promote the quarrel, and give the army an opportunity of their defired 4-evengc. A foldicr, according to his diredlions, fold an old rufty muf> ket to a countryman for three dollars, who brought vegetables to market. This could be no crime in the market-man, who hal an undoubted right to purchafe,and bear arms. He was, notwithftanding, immediately feized by Nefbitt, and conveyed to the guard-houfe, where he was conftned all night. Early the next morning they "ftriiiped him naked, covered him with warm tar, and then with feathers, and condufted him to the north end of the town, then to the fouth end, and as far a& Liberty-Tree, where they difmifled the man, through fear of the people, (who by this time had colle<5led in Urge numbers,^ and made a retreat to their barracks. The CANTO II. M*F I N G A L. 5» Great executioner and proud» Like hangman high en Holborn road ■, ' ' And o*er the bright triumphal car The waving enfigns of the war ! As when a triumph Rome decreed', For great Calig'la's valiant deed. Who had fubdu'd the Britilh feas, By gathering cockles from their bafe ; In pompous car the conqu'ror bore • His captiv'd fcallops from the fhore, ' Ovations gained his crabs for fetching, And mighty feats of oyfter-catching : 0*er Yankies thus the war begun. They tarr*d and triumphed over one ; And fought and boafted through the feafon. With might as great, and equal reafon. " Yet thus though fkilPd in vi They boaft, not unexpert in wiles. For gain*d they not an equal fame in The art of fecrecy and fcheming ; In (Iratagems fliowM mighty force^ And modernii'd the Trojan hcrfe ;. The party confided of about thirty grenadiers o£ the 47th regiment with fixed bayonets, 20 drums and fifes playing the rogue's marcb, headed by Nefbitt, with a drawn fvvord. The magiftratcs of the town waited on General Gage with* a complaint of this outrage ; he pretended difapprobution ; but took 110 ileps to cenfure the condu«5l of Nefbitt) or to do |uili(|e to the niaa who had fulfered the violence. ^ ).*■ 5^ M*F I N G AL. CANTO lU PlayM o'er again thofe tricks UlyiTcan ' In their fam'd Salem- expedition ? ^ - For as that horfe, the poets tell ye. Bore Grecian armies in his belly ; Till, their full reckoning run, with joy Their Sinon midwiPd them in Troy ; So in one fliip was Leflie bold -- . Cramm*d with three hundred men in hold^ Equipped for enterprife and fail. Like Jonas ftow'd in womb of whale. To' Marblehead, in depth of night. The cautious veflel wing'd her flight* And now the fabbath's filent day Caird all your Yankies off to pray ; - RemovM each prying jealous neighbour. The fcheme and veilel fell in labour ; Forth from its hollow womb pour'd haft'I/ The Myrmidons of CbPnel Leflie : Not thicker o'er the blackened fl;rand The * Frogs* detachment ruih'd to land, Equipp'd by onfet or furprife - r , To florm the entrenchment of the Mice» Through Salem flraight without deluy, The bold battalion took its way, March'd o*er a bridge in open fight Of fev'ral Yankies arm'd for fight. Then without lofs of time, or men, Vcer*d/ound for Bofton back again ; • " See Homer's Battle of the Frogs c;nd Mice." {( CANTO II* M*F I N G A L. 53 ■^ftf '\ 4 i'K' n^i^ And found Co well their projefts thrive^ That ev*ry foul got home alive. « Thus Gage's arms did fortune blefs With triumph, fafety, and fuccefs ; ^>' ; ; But mercy is, without difpute, ,'» >- * Hi.s firfl and darling attribute ; So great, it far outwent and conquered His military fkill at Concord. > ^ v There, when the v;ar he chofe to wage,. Shone the benevolence of Gage : Sent troops to that ill-omen'd place On errands mere of fpecial grace. And all the work he chofe them for Was to f prevent a civil war : • ' And for that purpofe he proje<5led The only certain way t' eiFedt it, '' To take your powder, ftores, and armi. And all your means of doing harms : As prudent folks take knives away, Ld\ children cut themfelves at play. And yet, though this was all his fcheme, This war you ftill will charge on him ; -« ♦ And though he oft has fwore, and faid it, Stick clofe to fin5ls, and give no credit. Think you, he wifti'd you'd brave and beard him I Why, 'twas the very thing that fcar'd him. He'd rather you fhould all have run, - Than (laid to fire a fingle gun. ' *;^ t See Gage's anfwer to Governor Trumbull. ^U 54 M'F I N G AL. CANTO II. And for the civil war you lament, Faith, you yourfelves muft take the blame rn't t. For had you then, as he intended, Giv'n up your arms, it muft have ended. Since that's no war, each mortal knows^ Where one ilde only gives the blows. And th' other bears 'em ; on refle<5tion, The moft you'll call it, is corredion. Nor could the conteft have gone higher^ If you had ne'er return'd the fire ; But when you ihot, and not before, It then commenc'd a civil war. Elfe Gage, to end this controverfy. Had but cofred:ed you in mercy ; Whom mother Britain, old and wife,. Sent o'er the col'nies to chaftife ; Command obedience on their peril Of Minifterial whip and ferule ; And fmce they ne'er coUld. come of age,. Govern'd and tutor'd them by Gage- Still more,,that this was all their errand,. The army's condiidl makes apprirent. , What though at Lexington you can fay They kill'd a few they did not fancy, -^lAt Concord then, with manful popping, |[)ifcharg'd a round, the ball to open ; - - jt when they faw, your rebel-rout )^termin'd ftill to hold it out, Did they not ihow their love to peace. And wilh, that difcord ftraight might ceafe— '*x^ '<; ^tK CANTO II. M* F I N G A L. J5 Demonftrate, and by proofs uncommon, Their orders were, to injure no man ? For did not ev'ry Reg'lar run,* As foon as e'er you fir'd a gun ? Take the firft (hot you fent them greeting. As meant their fignal for retreating— And fearful if they ftaid to fpott. You might by accident be hurt, • Convey themfelves with fpeed away , '' . J'uU twenty miles in half a day — ' Race till their legs were grown fo weary, ' '/* ^y'd fcarce fufiice their weight to carry ? . ^^liuce Gage extols, from gen'ral hearfay^ The f great a(5livHy of Lord Percy, Whole brave example led them on, And fpirited the troops to run ; And now may boaft, at royal levees, *• * A Yankey chace worth ;fbrty Cherys. Yet you, as vile as they were kind, , ^ ■ Purfued, like tigers, dill behind ; v u Fir'd on them at your will, and ftiut . i .:; . The town, as though you*d ftarve them out-: * In the ancient wars in America, the term Regular was •jippiied to Britifli troops, to diftinguifli them from the Pro- vincials, or new levies of the country. At the coaimcnce- -ment of the late war, the fanic terms ofdiftinAion .were ufecl. f " Too much praife cannt^t be given to Lord Percy, fw: his remarkable activity through the whole day." " ;' % .Gj^;''j Jlccount of Lexiigtoa JSatik. r ■ ,. ,, #• 56 M*F I N G A L, CANTO n. 'if ■\*"4 And with parade prepoft'rous * hedg'd, Affe<5t to hold them there befieg'd ; (Though Gage, whom proclamations call Your Governor and Vice-Admiral, j^ Whofe pow'r gubernatorial ftill ^ .? ■•. Extends as £ir as Bunker's Hill — . , ^i Whofe admiralty reaches clever, Near half a mile/ up Myftic river, Whofe naval force commands the feas, -■ . Can run away whene'er he pleafe) Scared troops of tories into town, And burnt tlieir hay and houfes down, And menaced Gage, unlefs he'd flee, To drive him headlong to the fea | As once, to faithlefs Jews a fign, The dc'el, turn'd hog-reeve, did the fwine* " But now your triumphs all are o'er, For fee, from Britain's angry Ihore, With mighty hofts of valour, join ^ Her Howe, her Clinton, and Burgoyne. As comets throngh th' affrighted Ikies Pour baleful ruin, as they rife ; As ^tna, with infernal roar, '*J[p conflagration fweeps the fliore ; '•"*** And with a prepoll:erou5 parade of military arrangc- antfnt, they alL*j£5l to held the army bcficgcd." ^' i ?»■ ;^ ; Cage* s laji grand ProiilumalisU' ^' X,;.... ., jcanto II. M*F ING AL. 57- Or as * Abijah White, when fent Our Marflifield friends to reprefent, Himfelf while dread array involves, CoRimiflions, piftols, /words, refolves, In awful pomp defcending down, jBore terror on the faftious town ; Not with lefsglorjr and aflFright, Parade thefe Generals forth to fight. No niore each Reglar Col'nelf runs 'r-- From whizzing beetles, as air-guns, Thinks horn-bugs bullets — or, through fears, Mufkitoes takes for mufqueteers ; Nor 'fcapes, as though you'd gain'd allies From Beelzebub's whole hoft of flies. No bug their warlike hearts appals, .,..,, - They better know the found of balls.?,^ jj^^ ^* I hear the din of battle bray, t* r The trump of horror marks its way. * " He was a reprcfentative of Marfhfield, and employed to •carry their famous town-refolves to Bofton. He armed him- ifclf in a ridiculous military array, as another Hvdibras, pre- iiending he was afraif^ he ibould be robbed of them." ^ t " This was a fa' To wrap you over with their fall, . And fave your heads, in thefe fad weathers. From fire and fword, and tar and feather* I For lo, with Britiih troops, tar-bright. Again our Nefbitt^ heaves in fight ! He .comes, he comes, your lines to ftorm. And rig your troops in uniform ! To^ meet fuch heroes, will ye brag, •* •' ti fury arm'd and feather-bag .; , .^ 10 wield their miffile pitch and tar, , ,^4. With engines new in Britifh war ? .4 ,i^j 'f'iiiO, where our mighty navy bring-s rdion on her canvas wings ; *' '^fiile through the deeps her potest thunder CANTO It. M*^ ING A L. 59 Shall found th* alarm to rob and plunder ! As Phoebus firft, (fo Homer fpeaks,) When he march'd out t' attack the Greeks, 'Galnft mules fent forth his arrows fatal, And (lew th* aur'liaries, their cattle ; So where c ■ Im (hall ftretch t. ^ wcel, What conquered oxen Ihall they fteal ! • What heroes, rifing from the deep, Invade your marlhalPd hofts of Iheep '. Difperfc whole troOps of horfe, arid, prefimg,- Make cows furrender at difcretion j , , Attack your hens, like Alexanders, And reg'itients rout of geefe and ganders ; Gr, wherri. united arms combine, Lead captive many a herd of fwine ! Then ruih in dreadful fury down ' , To fire on ev*ry fea-port town ; Diiplay their glory and their wits, Fright unarm'd children into fits. And ftoutly from th' unequal fray' Mai<:^ many a woman run away \ 4r And can ye doubt, whene'er we pleafe,« Gur chiefs (hall boaft fuch deeds as thefc ? Have we not chiefs,- tranfoending fir The old fdm'd'^/\//Wt'r^{?/// ofivar; '' " Beyond the brave romantic fighters, '^'° ^VjV iS. fxiiords of death by novel-writers ?•' .^ Nor in romancing ages e'er rofe So terribie a tier cf Jieroes;^ f Vi «'*• 4-. ; in.' '*. ,ii: Admire, array'd in ducal taflels, « » ^ ^ Your OlVers, Hutchinfons and VafFals ; See, joined in minifterial work. His grace of Albany and York i What Lordfhips from each carv'd eftate, n On our New- York aflembly wait ! • What titled f Jauncys, Oalcs and Billops ; Lord Brufli, Lord Wilkins, and Lord Phillips 4 In wide-ileev*d pomp cf godly guiffi, ' What folcmn rows of Biftiqps rife 1 , Aloft a Cardinal's hat is fpread O'er punfter J Cooper's rev'rend head ! In Vardell, that poetic zealot, ' - I view a lawn-bedizen'd prelate ! ' * ■ * Sec Hutchinfon*8 and Oliver's letters! t Members of the minifterial majority in the New-York af- "fcmbly ; Wilkins, a noted writer. t Prefident Cooper, a notorious punfter : Vardell, author of fome poetical fatires on the fons of liberty in New York, and royal profeffor in King's college ; Chandler and Auchmuty, ii;^h-cljurch and Tory-writers of the clerical order. 54 M* F I N G A L. CANTO II. While mitres fall, as 'tis their dutf, ' • On heads of Chandler and Auchmuty ! • Knights, vifcounts, baroni, (hall ye meet, As thick as pavements in the ilreet ! ^ ^ .r Ev'n I, perhaps, Heav'n fpeed my claim, Shall fix a Sir before mv name. ; , ' For titles all our foreheads ache ; For what bleft clianges can they make i Place rev*rence, grace, and excellence -^ . . Where neither claimed the leaft pretence: Transform by patent's magic words Mea, likeft devils, into Lords ; Whence commoners, to peers tranilated. Are juftly £aid to be created! Now where commiffioners ye faw. Shall bcuu-ds of nobles deal you law ! Long rob'd comptrollers judge your rights. And tide-waiters flart up in knights I While Whigs, fubduM in flaviih awe, Our wood fhall hew, our water draw. And blefs that mildnefs, when paft hope, Which fav*d their necks from noofe of rope. For as to gain afliftance, we ^ Defign their negroes to fet free ; For Whigs, when we enough (hall bang 'em, Perhaps 'tis better not to hang 'em ; .? Except their chiefs ; the vulgar knaves Will do more good preferv'd for flaves." •,». )^ ^ . n CANTO XI. M* F J N C A L. 65 ''■| -, ■ " 'Tis well," Hononus cried, ** your fchemc Has painted out a pretty dream. ti . We can't confute ypur,fecood fight 5 We (hall be flaves and you a knight : icfVi^ * . Thefc things muft come : but, I diviae cn*^ They'll come not in your day, or mine. But 01 my friends, .my birethren, Jiear, And turn for once th* attentive ear. | ^ Ye fee how prompt to aid p^r w< c$, The tender mercies of our foes ; Yc fee with what unvaried rancoi^^ % n I'X Still for our blood their mifiions hanker, , ^ '"ft Nor ought can fate th^ir ;inad ambition: . ;.>■( 1'^ i 66 M*F I N G AL. CANTO lU " Rife then, ere ruin fwift furprife, ' To vidlory, to vengeance rife ! Hark ! how the diftant din alarms ! The echoing trumpet breathes, To arms ! From provinces, remote afar. The fons of glory roufe to war ; *Tis Freedom calls ; th* enraptur'd found The Apalachian hills rebound ; The Georgian fhores her voice fliall hear, And ftart from lethargies of fear. From the parch*d zone, with glowing ray, Where pours the fun intenfer day, To Ihores where icy waters roll, And tremble to the dulky pole, Infpir'd by Freedom's heav'nly charms, United nations wake to arms. The ftar of conqueft lights their way. And guides their vengeance on their prey. — Yes, though tyrannic force oppofe. Still fliall they triumph o'er their foes, Tii'x Heav'n the happy land fliall blefs, With fafety, liberty, and peace. " And ye, whofe fouls of daftard mould. Start at the brav'ry of the bold ; To love your country who pretend. Yet want all fpirit to defend ; . Who feel your fancies fo prolific, Engendering vifionM whims terrific. CANTO II. M* F I N G A L. 67 ** -o - 0*er-run with horrors o£ coercion, v v . Fire, blood, and thunder in reverfion, King's (landards, pill'ries, conHfcations, And Gage's fcare-crow poclaxnations. With all the tnimpery of fear $ Hear bullets whizzing in your rear ; | '*:*si Who fcarce could roufe, if caught in fray, : 0^ Prefence of mind to run away ; See nought but halters rife to view In all your dreams (and dreams are true ;) And while thefe phantoms haunt your brains. Bow down the willing neck to chains. Heat'ns ! are ye fons of fires fo great. Immortal in the fields of fate. Who brav'd all deaths by land or fca. Who bled, who conquered, to be free ! Hence ! coward fouls, the word difgrace Of our forefathers' valiant race ; Hie homeward from the glorious field ; ; There turn the wheel, the diftaff wield ; A<51 what ye are, nor dare to ftain The warrior's arms with touch profane : There beg your more heroic wives . ^ To guard your children and your lives j Beneath their aprons find a fcreen, . . Nor dare to mingle more with men.". ' As thus he faid, tlxe Tories' anger : ^ . Could now reftrain itfclf no longer. 68 M*F I N G A t. CANTO II, .V ..'i.U iii; Vr i>,. Who tried before by many a freak, or nt, Infulting noife, to ftoji the fpfeakefr ; '^' ' i Swung th' unoil'd hingd of eaeh pe^;^-dbor ;. ^ Their feet kept fliuffliiig on th^ fldot : Made their difapprobation kh6\vn - By many a murmur, hum, and groan, That to his fpdech fupplied' the placd' ' '-''' '"' Of counterpart in thorough-bkfs : , ; tj As bag-pipes, while the tuiie they breathe,, Still drone and grumble underneath ; Or as the fam'd Demofthenej; '* Harangu'd the rumbling of the fcas, - Held forth, with eloquence full graved *** To audience loud of wind and waVe ? And had a ftiller congregration - Than Tories are, to hear th' oralron. But now the ftorm grew high and louder,. As nearer thund'rings of a cloud are, And ev'ry foul, with heart and voice, Supplied his ^uota of the noife $ Each lift'ning ear was fet on tortirre, Each Tory bellowing out, To order : And fome, with tongue not low or weak, Were clam'ring faft, for leave to fpeak ; .- The moderator, with great violence, V' }r The cuftiion thump'd, with " Silence ! filence !" The conftable to ev'ry prater • '* ' -'• ^^i-i.^^ Bawl'd out, " Pray hear the moderator ;" '-'-^y ^- ■■»" « ar/' caWto II. M' F I N 6 Ai:*'*^ 69 9r 'im Some callM the vote, and ftme, irt tiirtf,- Were fcreaming high, ** Av'' '^ His fword the great M'Fingal driew^ : «i j <> ? Prepared in either chance to Ihare, r^ '' hv . bu To keep the peace, or aid the war.: *'* * ' '^ ' •* ^'* Nor lack'd they each poetic being, ' »? iH\i>.'-'a si^l Whom bards alone arc fkilPd in fedirig ; ' *■ '^:^^ Plum*4Vi<5tory flood perch'd on high^ *1 I^jv 7 * Upon the pulpit-canopy, -'^"^ ^'^^;:j,-^--'' ^■■'::-u-^- To join, as is her cuilom tried, ' *; ' ^ > H ..^a Like Indians, on the ftrongeft iidc' ; - *' ^^^if^^'-,- The Deftinies, with fhears and diftafF, Drew near, their threads of life to twift off; * The Furies ,'gun to feaft on blows, , And broken heads or bloody nofe ; When on a fudden, from without, Arofe a loud terrific fhout ; And ftraight the people all at once heard Of tongues an univerfal concert ; Like iEfop's times, as fable runs, When ev'ry creature talk'd at once 5 Or like tlie variegated gabble That craz'd the carpenters of BabeK m^ fii'^* r 70 M^FIKO AL« CANTO Ih Each party foon forgot the quarrel. And let the other go on parole ; Eager to know what fearful matter ^?'< Had conjur*d up fuch general clatter ; And left the church in thin array, As though it had been le6lure-day. Our 'Squire M*Fingal ftraightway beckon'd The conftable to ftand his fecond, ,\ . And fallied forth, with afpe<5l fierce, The crowd aflembled to diiperfe. The moderator, out of view, , Beneath a bench had lain perdue ^ Peep'd up his head to view the fray. Beheld the wranglers run away. And, left alone, with folemn face, Adjourn'd them without time or place. -■'.- « END OF THE SECOND CANTO. f ' , ■• ; \ >■'• ",^^?*;» rt^--: '• .■/:" /%,rJ-J' ■^ '■■J 7i'.t 4( , i > ■ M ^ F I N G A L. CANTO THIRD. The Liberty-Pole. ' ■>■'(• f^) ■'l f 'rwy'" "'• ^f f'.^''-''^' ' ■/•'■' ':"-- JN OW, arm'd with minifterial ire, TkrdS fallied forth our loyal 'Squire, And on his ftriding fteps attends His deip'rate clan of Tory friends ; "* ' ' When fudden met his angry eye, ^ ^^ A pole afcending through the iky. Which num'rous throngs of Whiggiih race Were raifing in the market-place ; Not higher fchool-boys* kites afptrc, ' Or royal maft, or country fpire, * ^' - Like fpears at Brobdingnagian tilting. Or Satan's walking ftaff in Milton ; And on its top the flag, unfurPd, Wav'd triumph o'er the proftrate world, "' Infcrib'd with inconfiftent types v Oi libertjf and thirteen ftripcs. vi va •/ M*F I N G AL. CANTO III, Beneath, the crowd, without delay. The dedication-rites eflay, And gladly pay, in ancient faihion. The cererptjnies of libation ; \ While brifkly to each patriot lip Walks eager round th' infpiring flip :* Delicious draught, whofe pow'rs inherit The qulnteiTence of publ'w fpirit ! Which whofo taftes, perceives his, ynind To nobler politics refin'd, Or rous'd for martial controverfy. As from transforming cups of Circe ; ■Or warm'd with Homer's ne6tar*d liquor. That fill'd the veins of gods with ichor- At hand, for new fupplies in ftore, i . The tavern opes its friendly door, , ^; Whence to and. fro the waiters run. Like bucket-men, at fires in town. Then witli three fhouts that tore the fky, 'Tis confccrate to Libeity : To guard it from th' attacks of Tories, A grand committee cull'd of four is, Who, foremoft on the patriot fpot. Had bought the flip, and paid the fliot. By this, M*FingaI, witli his train, . - Advanced upon th' adjacent plain, And fierce, with royal rage poffefs'd. ^-iMJ^ ""iMWi W i l» ii V ■<»< Will this vile pole, devote to freedom, Save, like the Jewifti pole in £dom. Or, like the brazen fnake of Mofes, Cure your crackM fkulls and battered nofes ? Ye dupes to evVy faf^ious rogue ^ "' *" Or tavern-prating demagogue, ^ '• Whofe tongue but rings, with found more fuIU On th' empty drumhead of his fkull ; Behold you not, what noify fools, , *[ Ufc you, worfe fimpletons, for tools ? For Liberty, in your own by-fenfe, Is but for crimes a patent} licenfe j K ■■*i! ♦/Vi «^'*;-f*«> 74 M^FIKG AL. CANTO UK j 'hi >'J t ... 1. 4 A ^ tr ,v . . . J I f « *# ••? ' 1 *1r^ ' To break of law th* Egyptian yoke, And throw the world in common (lock ; Reduce all grievances and ills To Magna Charta of yonr wills j Eftabliih cheats, and frauds, and nonfenfe. Framed by the model of your confcier4:c j *^ Cry j uftice down, as out of faOiica^ " ' And fix its fcale of depreciation ;* Defy all creditors to trouble ye, \l And pafs new years of Jewifli jubilee ; Drire judges out, like Aaron's calves. By jurifdiAibn of white (laves, And make the bar, and bench, and (leeple^ Submit t* our fov'reign Lord, the People ; Affure each knave his whole aiTetSi By gen'ral amnefty of debts ; By plunder rife to pow'r and glory, And brand all property as Tory ; Expofe all wares to lawful feizures ,i,. , Of mobbers and monopolizers ; ^ - Break heads, and windows, and the peace, For your own int'reft and increafe ; Difpute, and pray, and fight, and groan For public good, and mean your own ; • Alluding to the depreciation of the continental paper money. The declining value of this Currency was afcertain cd and declared by Congrefs, in what was called a fcale 0/Je' prnUitiun, Scc more of this fuhjed in the laft Canto. .*L •j,j-r^« ■/i;; \:ivr \iJ ,( t It r €ANTO III. lt*F INO AL. 75 Prevent the laws, by fierce attacks» From quitting fcores upon your backs ; Lay your old dread, the gallows, low. And feize the ftocks, your ancient foe, And turn them as convenient engines To wreak your patriotic vengeance ; While all, your claims who underftand, Confefs tliey're in the owner's hand : And when by clamours and confuHons, Your freedom's grown a public nuifance, Cry, Liberty f with powerful yearning. As he does, Jlre, whofe houfe is burning, Though he already has much more, Than he can find occadon for, While ey*ry dunce, that turns the plains. Though bankrupt in eftate and brains. By this new light transformed to traitor, Forfakes his plough, to turn diii/ The dregs have work'd up to the brim^ And by the rule of topfy-turvcys, ^rhe fkum ftands fwelling on the furface. YouVe causM your pyramid t' afcend, And fet it on the little end ; .,^, Like Hudibras, your empire's made» V/hofe crupper had o'er-top'd his head ; ^ You've pufh'd and turn'd the whole world up- Side down, and got yourfclves a-top : While all the great ones of your ftate, Are crufii'd beneath the pop'lar weight ; .''' Nor can you boaft this prefent hour, The fliadow of the form of pow'r. , ;h:;; For what's your Congrefs,f or its end \ A power t' advife and recommend ; To call for troops, adjuft your quotas. And yet no foul is bound to notice ; ,^ * " M'Fingal having here infcrted the names and characters of fcvtral. great men, whom the public have not yet fully de- tsded, it is thought proper to omit fundiy paragraphs of his fpeech :n the prefent edition." • f The author here, in a true ftrain of patriotic cenfurc, point- ed out the principal defe<5ls in the firft federal Conilitution of th J United States ; all which have been fince removed in the New Conftitution, eftabllfhed in the year 1789. So that the prophecy below, Toull nier bai/efenfe enough to mend it, muft he ranked among the other fagc blunders of his fecond lighted hero. 78 M^FI N O A L. ;.N 1*0 111. To pawn your faith to th' utmofl limit» But cannot bind you to redeem it, And, when in want, no more in them lies Than begging of your State-aiTemblies $ Can utter oracles of dread, ' '' Like friar Bacon's brazen head $ But fhould a fadtion e'er difpute 'em, Has ne'er an arm to execute 'em. ► As though you chofe fupremc dilators. And put them under confervators ; You've but purfued the felf-fame way. With Shakcfpcarc's Trinclo in the play, *• You fliall be viceroys, here, 'tis true. But we'll be viceroys over you." ' What wild confufion hence muft enfue. Though common danger yet cements you ! So fome wreck'd veflel, all in fliatters. Is held up by furrcunding waters ; But ftranded, when the preflTare ceafes, Falls by its rottennefs to piects : And fall it mud — if wars were ended, You'll ne'er have fenfe enough to mend it j But creeping on with low Intrigues, Like vermin of an hundred legs, Will find as ftiort a life aflign'd. As all things elfe of reptile kind. Your Commonwealth's a common harlot. The property of ev'ry v^irlet, , Which now in tafte and full employ, ^ CANTO III. M'F I K G AL. 79 i*» ff. .}•■ ■yti •J ■r; All forts admire, as all enjoy j But foon, a batter'd ftrumpct grown, You'll curfc and drum her out of town. Such is the goycmmcnt you chofe ; For this you bade the world be foes ; For this, fo mark'd for difTolution, You fcom the Britiih conditution ; That conftitution, foi*m*d by fagei, The wonder of all modern ages : ':,' Which owns no failure in reality, lixcept corruption and venality ; , And only proves the adage juft, . . • *♦ * That be ft things fpoil'd, corrupt to worft : So man, fupreme in mortal ftation, - And mighty lord of this creation, When once his corfe is dead as lierring, Becomes the moft oBTenfive carrion. And fooner breeds the plague, 'tis found* Than all beafts rotting 'bove the ground. Yet for this government, to difmay us, ' You've call'd up Anarchy from Chaos, With all the followers of her fchool, • , Uproar, and Rage, and wild Mifrule ; • ' For whom this rout of Whigs di draped . ^^ And ravings dire of ev'ry crack'd head ; Thefe new-caft legiflativ* engines Of country mufters and conventions, i Committees vile of correfpondence, « And mobs, whofc tricks have almoft undonc's ; 8o M'F I N G A L. CANTO JII, While reafbn fails to check your cowle, -^ And loyalty's kick'd out of cjpors. And folly, like inyiting landlord, Hoifts on your poles her royal ftandard. ^ While the king's friends, in doleful dumps, Have worn their jcoarage to the ftup:ips. And leavir.g George in fad difafter, Moll fmfuUy deny'd their mafter. What furies rag'd, when you in fea. In (hape of Indians, drown 'd thejea ;* When your gay fparks, fatigu'd to watcji it, Aflum'd the moggifon and hatchet, With wampumM blankets hid their laces. And, like their fweethcarts, prim'd their faces While not a Red-coat dar*d oppofe, ; And fcarce a Tory (how'd his nofc ; While Hutchinfon for fure retreat, • Manceuvred to his country feat, : > And thence affrighted in the fud«, ': Stole off bare-headed threugh the woods ! Have you not rousM your mobs to Join, And make mandamus-men refign, CalPd forth each duffil-drefs'd curmudgeon, With dirty trowfers and white bludgeon,. Forc'd all our councils through ,the land ; To yield their necks to your command ; While palenefs marks their late difgraces, * The perfons who dcftroyed the cargo of tea, above red to, vrert difguifcd in the habit of Indians. ""J" rcfcr- they ; land t i mufti gencj towi CANTO III, M'F IN G AL. Through all their rueful length effaces ? Have you not caus'd as woful work, In loyal city of New- York,* When all the rabble, well cockaded, ; In triumph through the ftreets paraded ; And mobb'd the Tories, fcar'd their fpoufcs. And ranfack'd all the cuftom^oufes ; Made Aich a tumult, blufter, jarring, That, mid the clafh of tempefts 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, ? ^ Deftroy or torture whom they pleafe : Till, fir'd with rage, th' ungrateful club, i'> x> ^par'd not your beft friend, Beelzebub, ' ii| O'erlook'd his favours, and forgot The reverence due t* his cloven foot. And in the felf-fame furnace frying, Burn'd him, and North, and Bute, and Tryon ?t * There were fo many influential Tories in New- York, that they at firft obtained a vote in favour of the Ads of Parliament, land againft the proceedings of the firft Congrefs. , ^ f William Smith, formerly a lawyer in New- York. _^ ^r^. i Tryon, being nov/ dead, is probably forgot. The reader muft know that he was governor of New- York, and a Britifix general during the war. He had the glory of burning the towns af Fairfield and Norwaik, aad of iffuing many prodama- Xt tioQSf 82 M*F I N G A L. CANTO UK Did you not in as vile and ftiallow way, Fright our poor Philadelphian, Galloway,* '■' Your Congrefs when the daring ribald Belied, berated, and befcribbled ? What ropes and halters did you fend. Terrific emblems of his end. Till, left he'd hang in more than effigy, Fled in a fog the trembling refugee ? Now rifing in progreffion fatal. Have you not ventur'd to give battle ? When treafon chac'd our heroes troubled. With rufty gun and leathern doublet. Turned all ftone-walls, and groves, and buflies, To batt'ries arm'd with blunderbuffes. And with deep wounds, that fate portend, GalPd many a Reg'lar's latter end, Drove them to Bofton, as in jail, Confin'd without main-prize or bail. Were not thefe deeds enough betimes. To heap the meafure of your crimes. But in this loyal town and dwelling. You raife thefe enfigns of rebellion ? 'Tis done ; fair Mercy fliuts her door ; And Vengeance now (hall fleep no more ; tions. The other perfonages that make up this iettle of fj^y Bute, Beelzebub, and North, are ftill living, and therefore M'ant no explanation. * Galloway began by being a flaming patriot. He h one of the few men, who proved a traitor to hh country, wrote againfl it, and ran away. CANTO HI. M'F I N G A L. 83 Rife then, my friends, in terror rife, And wipe this fcandal from the Ikies ! I You'll fee their Dagon, though well jointed, Will fink before the Lord's anointed, * And like old Jericho's proud wall, ^' Before our ram's horns proftrate fall.*' This faid our 'Squire, yet undifmay'd,, -• Call'd forth the Conftable to aid. And bade him read in nearer ftation. The riot-act and proclamation ;* Who, now advancing tow'rd the ring, Began, " Our fovereign Lord the King^' — * When thoufand clam'rous tongues he hears. And clubs and ilones aifail his ears ; To fly was vain, to fight was idle. By foes encompafs'd in the middle 5 In ftrata^em his aid he found, And fell right craftily to gro iMd ; - ^ ' Then crept to feek an hiding place^ 'Twas all he could, bene-t'th a brace ; Where loon the conqu'nag crew eipled him, And where he lurk'd, they caught and tied him. At once wiih refolution fatal, I Both Whigs and Tories rulli'd to battle ; Inilead oF weapons, either band * ReaJ'inv the Rht-afi has the fame miruci)lo:i« efFet^ in Ant->r.. ica as In Enrjiand : it may convert any collcClioii of men into a /vW, an The fword flew up, and kickM the beam. Our 'Squire on tiptoe rifxng fair, Lifts high a noble ftroke in air, Which hung not, but like dreadful engines Defcended on the foe in vengeance. But ah ! in danger with dl (honour. The fword perfidious fails its ovv^ner ; That fword, which oft had flood its ground By huge train-bands encompafs'd round,* Or on the bench, with blade right loyal. Had won the day at many a trial, Of ftones and clubs had brav'd th' alarms^ Shrunk from thefe new Vulcan ian arms. The fpade fo temper'J from the fledge. Nor keen nor folid harm'd its edge, Now met it from his arm of might Defcending witli deep force to fmlte ; The bliie f -^ppM iliort — and from his hand With n-rt embrown''^ the glitt'ring faud. Swift turn'd M'Fingal at the view, And cail'd for aid th' attendant crew. In vain ; the Tories all had run, When fcarce t!ie fight was well begun ; Their fetting wigs he faw decreas'd, Tar in th' horizon tow'rd the v/e(l. * A iraii7 band is a Cuinaln's ccnij-;iny in the Milllia, CANTO III. M'F I N G A L. 87 Amaz*d he view*d the Ihameful fight, • And faw no refuge but in flight : But age unwieldy check'd his pace, ^ • Though fear had wing*d his flying race ; For not a trifling prize at ftake ; ' ' No lefs than great M'FingaVs back. With legs and arms he vvork'd his courfe, Like rider that outgoes his horfe, And laboured hard to get away, as Old Satan * ftruggling on through Chaos : Till, looking back, he fpied in rear The fpade arm'd cliief advancM too near. Then ftopp'd and feiz'd a ftone that lay. An ancient land-mark near the way ; Nor fhall we, as old Bards have done. Affirm it weighM an hundred ton ; But fuch a ftone as at a Ihift ' - A modern might fuffice to lift. Since men, to credit their enigmas, Are dwindled down to dwarfs and pigmies ; And giants, exiPd with their cronies, To Brobdingnags and Patagonies. , But while our hero turn'd him round, And ftoop'd to raife it from the ground, The deadly fpade difcharg'd a blow . Tremendous on his rear below : ■ , His bent knee fliilM, and, void of ftrength, Stretch 'd on the ground his manly length ; * In Milton. ^1|i| 88 M*F I N G AL. CANTO III, Like ancient oak o*erturn*d, he lay, v . . Or tow'rs to tempefts fallen a prey, , . ^ ^ . Aiid more things elfe — but all mca know 'ciDi Ififlightly vers*d in epic poen?. ., At once the crew at this fad crifis. Fall on and bind him ere he rifes, And with loud (houts and joyful foul Condudl him pris'ner to the pole. . When now the ir.ob in lucky ho ir, , Had got their enemies in their pow'j. They firft proceed by wife command, To take the Conftable in hand ; . Then from the pole's fublimefl top They fpeeded to let down the rope, At once its oth^r end in halle bind, And make k faft upon his waiitbund, Till, likd the earth, as ftrttch'd on tenter, ^ He hung felf-balanc*d on his centre. Then upwards, all hands hoifting fail. They fwung him, like a keg of ale, Till to the pinnacle fo fair, He rofe like meteor in the air. As Socrates* of old at firft did, ^ To aid philofophy, get hoifted, s And found his thoughts flow ftrangely clear, "Swung in a bafket in mid air : . * Socrates Is reprcfcnted in Ariflophanes's comedy of th* clouds, as iioifled in a l>a-lket to aid contemplation. . ,) • '■■•-'^•-»' CANTO III. M^#I N O AU 89 ''Our culprit thus in purer (ky, 'With like advantage rai&'d his eye ; And looking forth in profped wide, ♦His Tory errors clearly fpy'd, ^And from his elevated ilation^ With bawling voice began addrefling « -** Good gentlemen, and friends, and kin. For Heav*n*s fake hear, if not for mine I I here renounce the Pope, the Turks, The King, the Devil,' and all their works ; And will, fet me but once at eafe, ' Turn Whig or Chriftian, what you pleafe ; And always mind your laws as juftly ; Should I live long as old Methus'lah, ril never join with Britifli rage, - Nor help Lord North, or General Gage, Nor lift my gun in future fights, ^ ^ Nor take away your chartered rights ; Nor overcome your new-rais'd levies, * Deftroy your towns, nor burr* your navies ; Nor cut your poles down while Pvc breath. Though rais'd more thick than hatchel-teeth : But leave King George and all his elves To do their conquering work themfelves." This faid, they low'rM him down in ftatv Spread at all points, like falling cat ; r But took a vote firft on the queftion, ' '^ That they'd accept this full confeffioi^ M '■it ^t v# . i go M^F IN O At. CANTO IU4 And to their fellowfhip and favour Rcftore him, on his good behaviour. Not fo, our 'Squire fubmits to rale, But flood heroic as a mule. " You'll find it all in vain," quoth he, *< To play your rebel tricks on me. All punifhments theVorld can render, Serve only to provoke th' offender ; The will's confirm'd by treatment horrid, As hides grow harder when they're curried 5 No man e'er felt the halter draw. With good opinion of the law ; Or hsld, in method orthodox, His lote of juftice in the flocks ; Or iaird to lofe by (heriff's fliears At once his loyalty and ears. Have you made Murray look lefs big, Or fmok'd oW Williams to a Whig ? Did our mobb'd Ol'ver * quit his ftation, * This is the " Chief- Judge Oliver** of the firft Canto, in whofe appointment the fagacious M*Fingal perceives that Heav- en had no hand. One ground of the quarrel hetwten the Britifh government and the people of MaiTachufetts was, the n^ hj which the Jtidges of the Colony were rendered independent of the Colony for their fa]Bry,ai well a« for their places; which was contrary' to ancient ufage. When the people felt thcfc particular a«Sls of oppreilion from a powt^r three thoufand miles diftant, their only method of redrefs was, to prevent any per- '^ -vf fun CANTO III. M*F I N O A L. 91 ,.'i^ Or heed his vows of refig nation ? ^ .^ Has Rivington, f in dread of ftripcs, ., Ccas'd lying fmce you ftolc his types ? . And can you think my faith will aUer« ^ By tarring, whipping, or the haicer ? 1*11 ftand the word ; for r-'^ompcnfe j I truft King George an^' Providence. And when, our conquci' a'd, I come» ^ - Array*d in Ian' and terroi , liomc, You'll rue this inaufpicious morn, , . . -, And curfe the day you e'er were born, In Job's high ftyle of imprecations. With all his plagues, without his patience." , Meanwhile, befide the pole, the guard , .. A bench of juftice had prepared, ,^,. , ' y<'- 5 r/ fon from accepting an o^ce, or from exercifing its fundions, under fuch an aiSt. This expedient had been fucccfsful iu the cafe of the Stamp-a6l a few years before ; and the people nuw apphed to Judge Oliver, retjueiling him to refign an office, the new arrangement of which fo nianifcllly ftruck at the founda- tion of their liberty. The Judge promifcd to refign his pbce ; but afterwards >clai:iied that " bightj} privilege 6f Jjjeecby^ which. M'Fingal has fo well vindicated in favour of General Gage. f H'-rc a^^ain is an old acquaintance of the firft Canto. His paper, entitled The Koya! Gazette, had, by a ftrange combina- tion of circumftancos, obtained the name, through all the coun- try, of The Lyin. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // ^^ A 1.0 I2£ 1^ 12.2 ■50 lit Itt I.I 1.25 1^ iy£ lll'-^ IJ4 V y] Photographic Sdences Corporation ■^: s^ v ^v <^ a 23 WEST MAIN STRUT WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^ ^^^ ^^, And cover'd: all his outward man. As when (fo* Claudiaa fmgs* ) the gods. And earth-born giants feR at odds». TJic (lout £nceladii« in malice Tore mountains up ta throw at Pallas ;; And as he held then): o'er his head) The river, from their fountains fed,. Poured down his biu'k. its copious, tidcj. And wore its channels in his hide :. Soj from the high^rais-'^ urn,, the torrents Spread down his Cnic their various, currents His flowing wig, as next the brim, Firft met and drank die fable ftreuni ;. Adown his vifuge,. Hern and grave, KoU'd and adJier'd the vifcid wave ;, With, arms depending as he (lood, Each cufF capacious holds the flood ;: . From nofc and chin's remotell end» The tjirry icicles depend;. Till all o'erfpread, with colours gay,, He glitterM to the weftern ray, Like fleet-bound trees in wintry flcies,. Or Lapland idol carv'd in ice. And now the feather-bag difplay'd, Is vvav'd in triumph o'er his head, i w * *' Ciaudian's Gigantonacbia/* 94 M*r I N aAL. CANTO IIU And fpread him o'er with feathers mifiivei And down, upon the tar stdhedve : Not Maia's Ton, with wings for ears. Such plumes around his vifage wears ; Nor Milton's fix-wing'd angel gathers Such fuperfluity of feathers ; Till all complete appears our 'Squire Like Gorgon or Chimera dire ; Nor more could bond on * 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 ftatc. They rais'd our grand Dluumvirate. ,,. , And as at Rome a like committee, That found an owl within their city, i ?.; With folemn rites and fad proceffions, At ev'ry Ihrine perform'd luftrations ; And left infection fhould abound. From prodigy with face fo round, All Rome attends him through the ftreet. In triumph to his couni feat ; Wiih like devotion all the choir > ,' Paraded round our fcather'd 'Squire ; < In front the martial roufic comes Of horns and fiddles, fifes and drums, , T": 'tft- iii, *■* ii- 1 i>: * ** Alluding to Plato's famous deilnitiou of Mau, **JnitiMl >* CANTO ni. M* P I N O A L. 95 With jingling.found of carxiage bells. And treble creak of ruded wheels ; Behind, the crowd, in lengthened row. With grave proceffion, clos'd the Ihow ; And at fit periods ev'ry throat Coxnbin'd in univerfal ihout. And hail'd great Liberty in chorus, Or bawl'd, Confufion to the Tories. Not louder ftoim the welkin braves. From clamours of confliAing waves ; Lefs dire in Lybian wilds the noile. When rav'ning lions lift their voice ; Or triumphs at town-meetings made^ On pafling rotes to reg'late trade.* Thus having borne them round the to\m» Laft at the pole they fct them doWn, And tow'rd the tavern take their way, To end in mirth the feftal day. And now the Mob, difpers'd and gone. Left 'Squire and Conftable alone. ^ The Conftable, in rueful cafe, Lean'd fad and folemn o*er a brace, And fad befidebim, check by jowl. Stuck 'Squire M'Fmgal 'gainft the pole, * Such votes were frequently paiCed at Towmxicetinj^ ; the «bje Like Orpheus venturing for his wife. And bore in (how his mortal carcafs, Through realms of Erebus and Orcus, Then in the happy fields Elyfian, Saw all his embryo fens in vifion : f That the ^Uows is the lack'door leading from this to the other world, is a perfedly new idea in Epic Poetry ; unlefs the hint might have been taken from the rear-trumpet of Fame in Hudibras. "T-W" J •■«^-- CANTO IV. M< F I N O A U 1h As (hown by great archangel» MichaeU Old Adam faw the world's whole fequclf And from the mount's extended fpacey The rifing fortunes of his race ; So from this (lage (halt thou behold The war its coming fcenes unfold » Rais'd by my arm to meet thine eye ) My Adam, thou ; thine angel» I. But firft my pow'r, for vifions * bright, Mud clcanfe from clouds thy mental fight, Remove the dim fufFufions fpread, Which bribes and falVies there have bred | And, from the well of Bute, infule Three genuine drops of Highland dews, To purge, like euphrafy and rue, Thine eyes, for much thou haft to view. " Now, freed from Tory darknefs, raife Thy head, and fpy the coming days ; For lo, before our fecond-fight. The Continent afcends in light ; From north to fouth, what gath'ring fwarms Increafe the pride of rebel arms ! Through ev'ry State, our legions brave Speed gallant marches to the grave. Of battling Whigs the frequent prize, Willie rebel trophies (lain the Ikies. t {( See Milton's Pai-adife Loft, Book ii. 104 M'F I N G A L. CANTO IV. 'r** W Behold, o'er northern realms afar,* Extend the kindling flames of war ! >r ,.uj See fam'd St. John's and Montreal, Doom'd by Montgom'ry's arm to fall! . Where Hudfon with majeftic fway, Through hills difparted ploughs \iis way, , , ,:- Fate fpreads on Bemus' Heights alarms, And pours deftru<5tion on our arms ; ^ ^ »/ .: There Bennington's enlanguin'd plain. And Stony-Point, the prize of Wayne. v * Nothing lefs thau the whole Hiflory of the American War would be fufficient, completely to illuftrate the merits of this fingle paragraph. Malcolm, the gallows-taught prophet, in preparing the mind ^ 1 ^ In all the melody of * Erfe." *< Too long, quoth Malcolm, with confufion, You've dwelt already in deluiion. As Sceptics, of all fools the chief, . Hold faith in creeds of unbelief^. I come to draw thy veil afide Of error, prejudice, and pride. Fools love deception, but the wife Prefer fad truth to pleafihg lies. ' ^ For know, thofe hopes can ne'er fucceed That truft on Britain's breaking reed. For weak'ning long from bad to worfe. By fatal atrophy of purfe. She feels at length with trembling heart, Her foes have found her mortal part. As fum'd Achilles, dipt by Thetis In Styx, as iung in ancient ditties, \^* "Erfe, the ancient Scottifli language, in. which Offiaa wrote his poems.** . „ • ' io8 M* F I N G A L. CANTO IV. Grew all cafe-harden*d o^er like ftecl, Invalnerable, fave his heel, And laugh'd at fwords and fpcats, as fquibs. And all difeafes, bat the kibes ; Yet met at laft hfs fatal wound, By Paris' arrow naiPd to th' ground : So Britain's boafted ftrenglh defcrts, In thcfe her empire's utmoft ^irts^ Remov'd beyond her fierce impteflions, And atmofphere of omnipirefeAce ; Nor to thefe fhores' remoter ends, Her dwarf omnipotence e xtends : Whence in this turn of things fo ftrange, 'Tis time our principles to change. For vain that boafted faith, which gathers No perquifite, but tar and feathers. No pay, but Whigs* infulting malice. And no promotion but the gallows. I've long enough flood firm and fteady, Half-hang'd for loyalty already : And could I fave my neck and pelfi ^ ; I'd turn a flaming Whig myfelf, ^ ^ And quit this caufe, and courfe, and calling. Like rats that fly from houfe that's falling. But lince, obnoxious here to Fate, ^ This faving wifdom comes too late, Our nobleft hopes already croft, ^ ^ "- Our fkl'ries gone, our titles loft, ' : ,? Doomed to worfe iuff 'rings from the Mob, h: ^ ■ GAKTO rv. M^F I N O A L. 10$ Than Satan's furg'ries ufed on job ; What more remains but now with fleight. What's left of us to fave by flight ? " Now raife thine eyes ; for vifions true Again afcending wait thy vicw.^ 1 look'd ; and, clad in early light. The fpires of Bofton rofe to fight ;"• ' The morn o*er eaft em hills afar, IllunninM the varying fcenes of wan -'l'% Great Howe had long fmce in the lap ' Of Loring taken out his nap, ^ ^-v And with the fun*s afcending ray. The cuckold came to take his pay. When all th' encircling hills around, With inftantaneous bread- works crown*d. With pointed thunders met his fight, By magic rear'd the former night. Each fummit far, as eye commands. Shone peopled with rebellious Uands. Aloft their towering heroes rife , As Titans erft aflaiPd the flties. Leagued witli fuperior force to prove, The fceptred hand of Britifti Jove. Mounds, piPd on hills, afcended fair. With batteries, plac'd in middle air, That, rais'd like angry clouds on high, Seem*d like th' artill'ry of the fky. And hurVd their fiery bolts amain, Defcend in terror o'er the land ; T* oppofe their fury of alarms. Saw all New-England wake to arms. And ev'ry Yankey, full of mettle. Swarm forth, like bees at found of kettle. Not Rome, when Tarquin rap'd Lucretia, Saw wilder muft'ring of militia. , Through all the woods and plains cf fight. What mortal battles fiU'd my fight,, While Britilh corfes ftrew*d the Ihore, And Hudfon ting'd his ftreams with gore ! What tongue can tell the difmal day. Or paint the party-colour'd fray ; When yeomen left their fields afar. To plough the crimfon plains of war ; When zeal to fwords transformed their fhares, And turn'd their pruning hooks to fpears, Chang'd tailor's geefe to guns and ball, CANTO IV. M'F I NG AL. Ill And ftretch'd to pike the cobler's awl ; While hunters fierce, like mighty Nimrod, Made on our troops a daring' inroad ; And levelling fquint on barrel round, Brought our beau-officers to ground ; » While rifle-frocks fent Generals cap'ring, And Red-Coats flirunk from leathern apron. And epaulet and gorget run From whimyard brown and rufty gun : While fun-burnt wigs, in high command« Kufh furious on our frighted band. And ancient beards and hoary hai.-. Like meteors dream in troubled air. With locks unfliom not' Sarapfon more ■* Made ufelefs ail the fliow of war, Nor fought with afs's jaw for rarity, ■ With more fuccefs or fingularity* i? - * I faw our vet'ran thoufands yield,-' ^"^ And pile their mufquets on the field ; And peafant guards, in rueful plight, March oflF our captur*d bands from fight ; While erery rebel- fife in play. To Yankey-doodle tun'd its lay. And, like the mufic of the fpheres. Mellifluous footh*d their vanquifti'd ears. __^ « Alas !" laid I, -*« what baleful ftar '; Sheds fatal influence on the war. Arid who that chofen chief-of fame, That heads this grand parade of (hame ?" 112 M*F IN O AL. CANTO IV. " There fee how fate," great Malcolm cry'di ** Strikes with its bolts the tow'rs of pride. Behold that martial macaroni, Compound of Phcebus and Bellona, With warlike fword and fingfong lay, v Equipp'd alike for feaft or fray, I Where equal wit and valour join ; , This, this is he, the fam'd Burgoyne : - Who pawn'd his honour and commifHon, To coax the patriots to fubmiflion, ; ? By fongs and balls fecure obedience, > s And dance the ladies to allegiance, ; Oft his camp mufes he'll parade At Bofton in the grand blockade ; • » And well invoked with punch of arrack, v Hold converfe fweet in tent or barrack, , y , Infpir'd in more heroic faftiion, Both by his theme and (ituation ; While Farce and Proclamation grand, Rife fair beneath his plailic hand. For genius fwells more ftrong and clear; When clofe confin'd, like bottled beer : So Prior's witgain'd greater pow'r By infpiration of the tow'r ; And Raleigh, faft in prifon hurl'd, . Wrote all the Hift'ry of tlie World : So Wilkes grew, while in jail he lay, More patriotic ev'ry day ; V*r ^l.'•, ^^U' ^«-u, • ■■ i J CANTO IV. M^F IKG A L. "3 But found his zeal, when not confinM, Soon fink below the freezing pointy And public fpirit, once fo fair, Evaporate in open air. But thou, great favourite of Vemxsy By no fuch luck fhall cranip thy genius ; Thy friendly ftars, tiU wars ihall ceafe. Shall ward th' ill fortune of releafe. And hold thee faft, in bonds iiot feeble. In good condition dill to fcribble. Such merit fate fhall (hield from firing, Bomb, carcafs, langridge, and cold iron ; Nor trufts thy doubly-laurel'd head. To rude aflaults of flying lead. Hence, in this Saratogue retreat. For pure good fortune thou'lt be beat ; Not taken oft, released or refcued, Pafs for fmall change, like Ample Prefcott ;♦ But captur'd there, as fates befall. Shall ftand thy hand for't, once for all. Then raife thy daring thoughts fublime. And dip thy conquering pen in rhyme, And, changing war for puns and jokes, Write new Blockades, and Maids of Oaks."f * General Prefcott was taken and exchanged feveral times during the war. , t " The Maid of the Oaks, and the Blockade of Bofton, are farces — the firft acknowledged by General Burgoyne ; the oth- er generally afcribed to him." 114 M*F I N G A L. CANTO IV. This faid, he turn'd, and faw the tale Had dy*d my trembling cheeks with pale ; Then, pitying, in a milder vein, Purfu'd the vifionary ftrain. " Too much, perhaps, hath pain'd yo ur views Of vi<5l'ries gainM by rebel crews ; Now fee the deeds, not fmall nor fcanty, '^ Of Britifti valour and human'ty ; ' ^ * T And learn from this aufpicious iight, How England's fons and friends can fight, ■■'' , , In what dread fcenes their courage grows, "^ *■ And how they conquer all their foes." ^ I look'd, and faw, in wintry (kies, '■'■{ -i ' 'v * Our fpacious prifon-walls arife, ' Where Britons all their captives taming. Plied them, with fcourging, cold, and famine ; Reduc'd to life's concluding ftages, By noxious food and plagues contagious. ^ Aloft the mighty * Loring flood, * Loring was a Refugee from Bofton,rnatle commilTary of prif» oners by General Howe. The confummate cruelties pradlifetj on the American prifoners under Loring's adminiftration al* moft exceed the ordinary powers of human invention. If a fimpic ftatement of fa*Sls relative to this bufincfs were proper- ly diawn up and authenticated, it would furnifh the friends of .humanity with new images of horror in contemplating the rav- ages of war ; efpecially a war that obtains the name of rebel- lion, and is carried en at a diftance from the eye of the nation. Tbe cordudl of the Turhs in f uttirg all prircners to death k CANTO IV. M*F I N G A L. ^^5 And thriv'd, like Vampyre,f on their blood ; And counting all his gains arifing, Dealt daily rations out of poifon. Amid the dead that crowd the fcenc, The moving fkeletons were feen. At hand our troops, in vaunting drains, Infulted all their wants and pains. And turn'd on all the dying tribe, The bitter taunt and fcornful gibe : ; ,, And Britilh officers of might, v Triumphant at the joyful fight. O'er foes difurmM, with courage daring, Exhaufted all their tropes of fvvearing. Around all flainM with rebel blood, Like Milton's lazar-houfe it flood, Where grim Defpuir attended nurfe. And Death was Governor of the houie. Amaz'd, I cried, " Is this the way That Britifli Valour wins the day I*' certainly much more rational and humane, than that of the Britiih army hr the three firft years of the American war, or till after the capture of Burgoyne. We except from this gen- eral ohfervation, the condud of Lord Dorcheflcr in Canada : he a<5led on the common principles of war, as now pradifed in Europe. f "The notion of Vanipyrc'5 is a ripcrilition that has great- ly prevailed in many parts of Europe. They pretend it Is a dead body, which rifes out of its grave in the night, and fucks tbe blood of the living.'* .v - ii6 M^F I N G A L. CANTO IV, More had I faid, in drains imwelcome^ Till interrupted thus by Malcolm : ** Blame not," quoth he, " but learn the reafon - Of this new mode of conquering treafon. *Tis but a wife, politic plan, < v : To root out all the rebel clan ; v i- ... (For furely treafon ne'er can thrive, . v.,, . / Where not a foul is left alive :) A fcheme, all other chiefs to Airpafs, » And do th* effectual work to purpofe ; : For war itfelf is nothing further, '* But th' art and myftery of murther. And who moft methods has eflay'd. Is the beft Gen'ral of the trade, i; And ftands Death's Plenipotentiary, 1 j ' To conquer, poifon, ftarve and bury. This Howe v^ell knew, and thus began, (Defpifing (.Jeton*s coaxing plan, Who kep^ K'c p is'ners well and merry. And deak . b«'in food like CommifFary, And by paroles and ranfoms vain, - , DifmifsM them all to fight again :) Whence his firft captives, with great fpirit, - He tied up for his troops to fire at,* And hop'd they'd learn, on foes thus taken^ To aim at rebels without fhaking. * " This was done openly, and -without ccnfure, by the troops under Howe's command, in many inftances, on his firft coa- qucft of Long-Ifland.'* CANTO IV. M* F I N O A L. H7 Then, wife in ftratagem, he pUnn'd The furc de(lru<5tion of the land, Turn*d famine, ficknels, and defpair, To ufeful enginery of war, Inftead of cannon, muiket, mortar, Us'd pedilence, and death, and torture, Sent forth the fmall-pox, and the greater. To thin the land of every traitor, And ordered out, with like endeavour, Detachments of the prifon-fever ; Spread dcfolation o'er their head. And plagues in Providence's ftead, Perform'd with equal (kill and beauty, . Th* avenging angePs tour of duty, Brought all the elements to join, And ftars t' affift the great defign ; As once in league with Kiflion's brook, Fam'd IfraePs foes they fought and took. Then proud to raife a glorious name, And em'lous of his country's fame, He bade thefe prifon-walls arife. Like temple tow'ring to the fkies. Where Britifli clemency renown'd, Might fix her feat on facred ground ; (That virtue, as e^ch herald faith, -.j i Of whole blood kin to Punic faith ;) Where, all her godlike pow'rs unveiling, She finds a grateful fhrine to dwell in. Then, at this altar for her honour, ii8 M'r I N G A L. CANTO IV. Chofe this High Prieft to wait upon her. Who, with juft rites, in ancient guifes, Prefents thefc human facrifices ; Great Loring, fam*d above all laymen, W : A proper Prieft for Lybian Ammon, i Who, while Howe's gift his brows adorns, ■ Had match'd that deity in horns. Here ev*ry day her vot'ries tell, . She more devours than th* idol Bel ; And thirfts more rav'noully for gore. Than any v/orfliipp'd Power before. - That ancient Heathen Godhead, ,Moloch, Oft ftayM his ftomach with a bullock, . Or if his morning rage you'd check firft. One child fuffic'd him for a breakfali. But Britilh clemency, with zeal. Devours her hundreds at a meal j ; Right \yell by Nat'ralifts defin'd, ' A being of carniy'rous kind : So erft * Gargantau pleas'd his palate, And ate his pilgrims up for fallad. Not bleft with maw lefs ceremonious. The wide-mouth whale that fwallowM Jonas ; Like eartliquake gapes, to death devote, . / That open iepulchre, her throat ; - -- 'u> ' The grave, or barren womb you'd ftufF, t. .- And fooner bring to cry, enough ; « * See Rabelalb's Hiftory of the Giant Gargantau.'* CANTO IV, M^F I N G A L, M9 ■ .1 T.-( Or fatten up to fair condition, The lean-fleOi'd klne of Pharaoh's vifion^ ** Behold her temple, where it ftands r*. Ereft by fam'd Britannic hands ; 'Tis the bl?.ck hole of Indian ftrudure, ,, New built with Englifli architedure, .. On plan, 'tis faid, contrived and wrote ' j - By Clive, before he cut his throat ; Who, ere he took himfelf in hand, Was her Higli-PrieH: in nabob-land i And when, with conqu'ring glory crown'd. He'd well enflav'd the jiation round. With pitying heart, the gen'rous chief, ;( Since flav'ry's worfe than lofs of life,) Bade defblation circle iar, ;v And famine end the work of war ; Thus loos*d their chains, and for their merits, Difmifs'd them free to worlds of fpirits ; Whence they, with gratitude and praife, ■..*,/ ^eturn'd,f t' attend his latter days, ^-^ .,,^^ And, hov'ring round his reftlefs bed, Spread nightly vifions o'er his head. , , " Now turn," he cried, " to nobler fights, And mark the prowefs of our fights : Behold, like whelps of Britilh lion, "^ The warriors, Clinton, Vaughan, and Tryon, t " Ciive, in the latter years of his life, conceived himf-'lf per- petually hau:nc:l by the ghofts of thofe, who were the vidini^ rf)f hi* Britiili humanity in the Lail-Indles." • /;■ ••t ♦¥»:". ■ *■ 116 M*F IN G A L. CANTO IV. March forth with patriotic joy, To ravifli, plunder, burn, deftroy. Great gen'rals, foremoft in the nation, • The journeymen of Defolation ! Like Samfon's foxes, each aflails, '* Let loofe with firebrands in their tails, '''■'■ ' '- And fp reads deftrudlion more forlorn, "'* ^ . ^ Than they did in Philiftine corn. - - - ,. ' ! And fee ! in flames their triumphs rife, *,• Illuming all the nether fkies, ^ *j " And ftreaming, like a new Aurora, '^'^ ^ . The weftern hemifphere with glory ! - What towns, in afhes laid, confeis ; f Thefe heroes' prowels and fuccefs ! ^ - ^ ^ ^ What blackened walls, or burning fane, For trophies fpread the ruin'd plain ! * What females, caught in evil hour, By force fubmit to Britifh pow'r, ' ^ Or plundered negroes, in difafter, Confefs King George their Lord and Mafter ! What crimfon corfes 'ftrew their way. Till fmoking carnage dims the day ! Along the fhore, forfure reduction, They wield their befom of deftrudion, ' Great Homer likens, in his Ilias, To dog-ftar bright the fierce Achilles ; But ne'er beheld, in red proceflion. Three dog-ftars rife in conftellaticn ; * CANTO IV. M*F I NG AL. X2I Or faw in glooms of ev*ning mifty, Such iigns of fiery triplic'ty, Which, far beyond the comet's tail, Portend deftruAion where they fail. Oh ! had Great-Britain's godlike (hore Produc'd but ten fuch heroes more, TJiey'd fpar'd the pains, and held the ftation Of this world's final conflagration. Which, when its time comes, at a (land. Would find its work all done t* its hand ! " Yet though gay hopes our eyes may blefs, Indignant fate forbids fuccefs ; Like morning dreams, our conqueft flies, Difpers'd before the dawn arife." Here Malcolm paused ; when, pond'ring long. Grief thus gave utterance to my tongue : " Where (hrink in fear our friends difmay'd. And all the Tories' promis'd aid ? Can none, amid thefe fierce alarms, . ;^ Affift the pow'r of royal arms ?" " In vain," he cried, " our King depends On promised aid of Tory-friends. When our own efforts \^ant fuccefs. Friends ever fail, as fears increafe. As leaves in blooming verdure wove. In warmth of fummer clothe the grove ; But when autumnal frofts arife, Leave bare tjieir trunks to wintry fkies ; ,^^. i^\ nr I '?f 1| 122 CANTO IV- ■vi - So while your pow*r can aid^ their end^, " * You ne*er can need ten'tHouiaTK} friends ; * -' But, once in want, hf focis diftttay^d^ May advertife them' ftoPh or ftray'di ' Thus, ere Great Britain's ftrength grew flack. She gain*d that aid flie did not lack ; But now in dread, imploring pity. All hear, unmov'd, her dol'rons ditty ; Allegiance wand'ring turns afliray, And Faith grows dim for lack of pay. In vain ftie tries by' new inventions. Fear, falfehood, flatt'ry, threats and pendons ; Or fends Commifs'ners with credentials*' Of promifes and penitentiak. * The paifage ttiat here follows is to be explained thus : In- the year 1778, adctr the war had been raging three years, and the capture tit Burgoyne's army was known in England, the Britifh government cotichided to give up all the objedts for which the conteil had been begun. It accordingly paffed an aft repealing all ihe ads of which tlie Americans complained^ provided we would refcind our declaration of independence, and continue to be their Colonies. The MinHh-y then fent over three commiflioners, Mr. Johpftone^Mr. Eden, and Lord Carliflc. Thefc comminioners began their operations, and fin- ifhed them by attempting to bribe individuals among the members of the States^ and of the army. This'bait appears te have caught nobody but Arnold. The pittkoated politician yhtrt mentioned, is a woman of Philadelphia, (and a lady of confid* erablc diftinftion) through whofe agency they offered .a bribe to Jofeph Read, Governor of Pennfylvania. CANTO IV. AI^JING At. As, for his fare o'er Styx of old, ;. ^ The Trojan ftole the bough of gold ; And, led grim Cerb'rus Ihould make head, Stuff'd both his fobs with * gingerbread. Behold, at Britain's utmoft fhifts, ^ ^ Comes Johnftone, loaded with like gifts. To venture through the Whiggifti tribe. To cuddle, wheedle, coax, and bribe. Enter their lands, and on his journeys ^ > Poflefllon take, as King's attorney ; Buy all the vaflals to prote(ft him. And bribe the tenants not t* eje^it him ;. And call, to aid his defp^rate miflion. His petticoated politician ; While Venus, joined t' afllft the farce, Strolls forth ambaflador for Mars. In vain he ftrives, (for while he lingers,, Thefe maftiffs bite his oflF'ring fingers,) Nor buys for George and realms infernalr One fpaniel, but the mongrel Arnold. 'Twere vain to paint in vifion'd Qiow^ ^i The mighty nothings done by Howe ; What towns he takes in mortal fray. As ftations, whence to run away ; What conquefts gain*d in battles warm,. To us no aid, to them no harm ; For ftill th' event alike is fatal, 123 'Mcdicatam frugibus offam. -ffinekl, lib. vi. 410. % 124. M'F IN G AL. CANTO IV, Whate'er fuccefs attend the battle; - If he gain victory, or lofe it, • ' Who ne*er had fkill enough to ufe it ; And better 'twere, at their expenfe, T' have drubbed him into common fenfe^ And wak*d, by baftings on his rear, Th' a(5tivity, though but of fear. By flow advance his arms prevail. Like embleril|tic march of fnail ; That, be Milleiuiium nigh or far, / 'Twould long before him end the war. From York to Philadelphian ground, He fweeps the mighty flourifli round, Wheel'd circular by eccentric ftars, Hjce racing boys at prifon-bars ;* Who take the adverfe crew in whole, By running round the opp'fite goal ; Works wide the traverfe of his courfc. Like Ihip in ftorms* oppoiing force ; Like mill-horfe, circling in his race. Advances not a ilngle pace. And leaves no trophies of reduftion. Save that of canker-worms, deftrudion. * Prifon'bars is a kind of juvenile conteft, fufliciently Jjfcri- ted here. How far our author is juftifiable in comparing to it the operations of General Howe in America, is left to be determined by thofe military men who know the hiftory of bis manoeuvres. ^ » Av -* CANTO IV. M* F 1 N G A L. 125 Thus, having long both countries curft^ He quits them, as he found them fir(l» Steers home difgrac*d, of little worth. To join Burgoyne, and rail at North. " Now raife thine eyes, and view with pleafure^ The triumphs of his famM fucceflbr." I looked, and now by magic lorcj > > Faint rofe to view the Jerfey ihore ; But dimly feen, in glooms arrayM, ^^ For Night had pour*d hsr fable ftiade,. And ev'ry ftar, with glimnri*rings pale,. Was muffled deep in evening veil : Scarce vifible in dufky night, Advancing Red-Coats* role to fight; h The lengthen'd train, in gleaming rowsf Stole filent from their flumb'ring foes ; Slow mov*d tlie baggage, and the train,. Like fnails, crept noifelefs o*er the plain ; No trembling foldier dar*d to fpeak, And not a wheel prefumM to creak. My looks my new furprife confefs'd,. Till by great Malcolm thus addrefs'd : <* Spend not thy wits in vain refearches ;. . .1 'Tis one of Clinton's mooiilight marches. From Philadelphia now retreating, ^ To fave his anxious troops a beating,. With hafly ftride he flies in vain, ,• His rear attacked on Monmouth .plaia :^ 1 , * Red' Coat ft a term for Britiih troops. '. *■ -■ V- 226 M* F r N G A L. CANTO m With various chance the mortal fray ; • Is lengthen*d to the clofc of day, When his tir'd bands, o'ermatch'd in fight». Are refcu'd by defcending night, He forms his camp with vain parade, Till evening fpreads the world with fhade» Then ftill, like fome endangered fpark. Steals off on tiptoe m the dark ; Yet writes his king, in boafting tone. How grand he march'd by light of moon.* I fee him, but thou canft not ; proud He leads in front the trembling crowd,, And wifely knows, if danger's near,, ^fwill fall the heavicft on his rear. Go on, great Gen'ral, nor regard The feoffs of ev*ry fcribWing bard,. Who fmg how Gods that fatal night Aided by miracles your flight. As once they us'd, in Homer*s day,, To help weak heroes^ run away ; Tell how the hours at awful trial. Went back, as erft on Ahaz' dial. While Britiih Jolhua ftayM the moon^, On Monmouth plains, for Ajalon : * The circumftance of Gen. Clinton's official difpatcliea, giving an account of his marching from Monmouth by moon- light, furniflied a fubjeft of fome pleafantry in America ; where it was known that i\kc moon had fet two hours before the mareh began. CANTO ly. M'FIN G AL. I3JP tches, noon- vhere e the Heed not their fneers and gibes fo arcky Becaufe ihe fet before your march. A fmall mi (lake, your meaning right. You take her influence for her light ; Her influence, which (hall be your guide. And o'er your Gen'ralfhip prefide. Hence ftill Ihall teem your empty fkull. With vi(a*ries when the moon's at full. Which by tranfition yet more flrange. Wane to defeats before the change ; Hence all your movements, all your notionfi» Shall fleer by like eccentric motions, Eclips'd in many a fatal criiis, And dimmed when Wafliington arifes. And fee how fate herfelf, turned traitor, Inverts the ancient courfe of nature, And changes manners, tempers, climes, , ^ To fuit the genius of the times. ^e6 Bourbon forms his gtn'rous plan, Firft guardian of the rights of man, And prompt in firm alliance joins, ^ ^ . .y. To aid the Rebels' proud deftgns* r (•,*:, .n Behold from Tealms of eaftern day. His fails innum'rous (hape their way, ^ In warlike line the billows fweep, , ;,^ And roll the thunders of the deep. > ^ ; See, low in equinoftial ikies, The Weftera Iflands fall their prize. • 128 M*F I N G A L, CANTO IV. "Sec Brliifli flags o'ermatch'd in might, • Put all their faith in inftant flight ; . i-^ Or broken fquadrons from th* affray, Drag flow their wounded hulks away. Behold his chiefs in daring fets, DTdaings, De Grafles, and Fayettes, Spread through our camps their dread alarms, And fwell the fears of rebel-arms. • Yet, ere our empire link in night, 'One gleam of hope fliall ftrike the fight ; As lamps that fail of oil and Are, 'Colled one glimmVing to expire. And lo ! where fouthern fliores extend, Behold our union*d hofts defcend, ' Where Charleftown views, with varying beams, Her turrets gild th* encircling (Irean*:,. There, by fuperior might conipelPd, .^ Behold their gallant Lincoln yield,* Nor aught the wreaths avail him now, ' Pluck'd from Burgoyne's imperious brow. See, furious from the vanquilhM ftrand, <^orwallis leads his mighty band ! * General Lincoln was ferond in command in the army of General Gates, during the campaign of 1777, which ended in 'the capture of General Burgoyne. He is an officer of great reputation. He afterwards commanded the army in South- <^arolina, and was taken prifoner with the garrifon of Charlef- itown m 1 780. CANTO IV. M*FIN GAL, 129 The fouthern realms and Georgian (hore Submit, and own the vigor's powV. Lo, funk before his wafting way, The Carolinas fall his prey ! In vain embattled hofts of foes .' Eflay in warring ftrife t* oppofe. See, fhrinking from his conquering eye, The rebel legions fall or fly ; And, withering in thcfc torrid (kies, The northern laurel fades and dies.* With rapid force he leads his band To fair Virginia's fated llrand, Triumphant eyes the travellM zone, « And boafts the fouthern realms his own* Nor yet this hero's glories bright Blaze only in the fields of fight ; Not Howe's human* ty more defervingi J n gifts of hanging, and of ftarving ; Not Arnold plunders more tobacco, Or fteals more negroes for Jamaica ;f * This refers to the fortune of General Gates, who, aftwr haii^i ing conquered General Burgoyne in the North, was defeated by Lord Cornwallis in the South. ^ f Arnold, in the year 1781, haying been converted tothe caufe of Great-Britain, commanded a detachment of their army in Virginia; where he plundered many cargoes of hoi^ groes andx)f tobacco, and fent them to Jamaica for his own account. How far the Lords Rodney and Corrtwalli^ might R 130 II^F I N G A L* CANTO IV. Scarce Rodney's felf, among th' Euftatians, Infults fo well the laws of nations ; Ev'n Tryon's fame grows dim, and mourning* He yields the laurel crown of burning, y. I fee with rapture and furprife, v , New triumphs fparkling in thine eyes; But view, where now renewM in mighty Again the rebels dare the fight." I look'd, and far in fouthem (kies. Saw Greene, their fecond hope, arife, . And with his fmall but gallant bandi Invade the Carolinian land. ; As winds, in ftormy circles whirl*d, Kufli billowing o'er the darkened world, And, where their wafting fury roves, Succeflive fweep th* aftohifh'd groves. Thus where he pours the rapid fight. Our boafted conqucds fink in night, . And wide o'er all th* extended field, Our forts refign, our armies yield, Till, now regained the vanquifii'd land. He lifts his ftandard on the (Irand. Again to fair Virginia's coaft, I turn'd and view'd the Britifti hoft. Where Chefapeak's wide waters lave Her (hores, and join th* Atlantic wave. have excelled him in this kind of heroic achiercmcnts, time will perhaps never difcover. . CANTO IV. M^ F I N G A L. '3' There fam'd Cornwallts tow'ring rofc, And fcorri'd fecure his diilant foes ; His bands the haughty rampart raife^ And bid the royal ftandard blaze. When lo, where ocean's bounds extend, I faw the Gallic fails afcend. With fkv'i-ing breezes ftem their way, And crowd with (hips the fpacious bay. Lo, Waihington, from northern ihores, O'er many a- region, wheels his force. And Rochambeau, with legions, bright, Defcends in terrors to the fight. Not fwifter cleaves his rapid way. The eagle cow'ring o'er his prey, ^ Or knights in foni'd romance that fly On fairy pinions through the fky. Amazed, the Briton's (iartlcd pride Sees ruin« wake on ev'ry fide ; And, all his troops to fate confign'd,. By inftantaneous ftroke Burgoyn'd. Not Cadmus view'd with more furprlfe,; From earth embattled armies rife, ? Whcti, by fuperior pow*r impelPdj He fow*d with dragon's teeth the field. Here Gallic troops in terror (land, • There ruQi in arms the Rebel band ; Nor hope remains from mortal fight,. Or that lafl Bri:iih refage, flight. 132 M*F IN G AL. CANTQ XV, ,ji-ii ■*■ •Wr*"-. iiV- I faw, with looks downcaft and gravt, The Chief emerging from his cave,* (Where, chac'd like hare in mighty rounds Hi§ hunters earthM him firft in ground,) And, doom'd by Fate to rebtl fw^y. Yield all his captur'd hods a prey. There, while I view'd the vanquifh'd towJi, Thus with a figh my friend went on : ^* Behold*ft thou not that band forlorn, Like ilaves in Roman triumphs borne ; Their faces lengthening with their fears, And cheeks diftain*d with ftreams of tears> Like dramatis perfona fage, Equipt to a(5t on Tyburn's ftage ? =;^ Lo, thefeare they, who, lur'd by follies, Left all and followed great Cornwallis ; True to their King, with firm devotion, ,r^ > For confcience lake, and hop'd promotion, ?- , i, Expe(5lant of the promised glories, ^ i; ^ /^ And new. Millennial (late o* Tories. ^^ .v : Alas ! in vain, all doubts forgetting, -; * ? I They tried th* omnipotence of Britain ; But found her arm, once ftrong and brave. So fhorteii'd now ihe cannot fave. Not more aghaft departed fouls. Who rifk*d their fate on Popilh bulls, ♦ " Alluding to the well-known fa<5l of Cornwallis's tak- ing up his refidence In a cave, during the fiege of Yctktown.** m CANTO IV. M'F I N G A L. ^3a And find St. Peter at the wicket Refufe to counterfign their ticket, When driv'n to purgatory back. With all their pardons in their pack : Than Tories muft'ring at their ftationt On faith of royal proclamations* As Pagan Chiefs at ev'ry crifis, Confirm'd their leagues by facrilices. And herds of beads to all their deities,. Oblations fell at clofe of treaties : Cornwallis thus, in ancient faftiion. Concludes his league of capitulation, And vidims, due to Rebel glories, Gives this fin-offVing up of Tories. See where, relieved from fad embargo. Steer off confign'd a recreant cargo. Like old fcape-g'oats to roam in pain, Mark'd like their great forerunner, Cain. The reft, now doomed by Britilh leagues. To juftice of refentful Whigs, Hold worthlefs lives on tenure ill. Of tenancy at Rebel-will, While hov'ring o'er their forfeit ptrfons, The gallows waits his fure reverfions. " Thou too, M*Fingal, ere that day, Shalt tafte the terrors of th* affray. See ! o'er thee hangs in angry fkies. Where Whiggiih conftellations rife. IJ4 M*FIN G A E. G'ANTO' I V» And while plebeian iigns afcend. Their mob-infpiring afpe<5ls bend^ That baleful Star, whofe * horrid hair Shakes forth the plagues of down and tar !' I fee the polej that rears on high ^ Its flag terrific through the iky ; The mob beneath prepared t* attack, v And tar prededin'd for thy back ! r ' Ah ! quit, my friend, this dang'rous home,^ Nor wait the darker fcenes-to come ;. , * For know that Fate's aufpicio us door, Once fhut to flight, is op'd no more. Nor wears its hinge by various Rations, Like Mercy's door in proclamations.! " But left thou paufe^ or doubt to fly,, To ftranger vifions turn thine eye : Each cloud that dimm'd thy mental ray,. And all the. mortal mifts decay ; , .' « ((. From his horrid hair Milton; Shakes peftilence and war." •f 7ke door of mercy is now open ^ and tUe door of mercy ivlll he"^, Jhuty were, phrafes fo often ufed in the proclamations of the ! Britdih Generals in America, that our Poet fcems to fear that the hinge of that door will be worn out. A general collec- • tion oi thefe proclamations, or an abridgment of them com- prifed in a few volumes, would form a curious fyftem of rhef- orical tallies ; which- might be of great utility to the French ^ emigrant princes, and to thofc potentates of Europe, who arc | going to fubdue the fpirit of Liberty in France. If CANTO tV. M*J I.NG AI^ US Sec more than human Pow'rs befriendf And IQ9 their hoilile forms afcend! .^ee, tow'ring o'er th' extended ftrandi The Genius of the weilern land, Jn vengeance armM,.his fwordaflumes, And (lands, like Tories, dreft in plumes. See, o'er yon Council feat with pride» How Freedom fpreads her banners: wide J There Patriotifm with torch addrefs'd, To fire with zeal jcach daring bread! , While all the Virtues in tlieir band« £fcape from yon unfriendly land, X)efert their ancient Britiih ftation, PoiTefs'd with rage of emigration. Honour, his bufmefs at a ftand, •For fear of ftarving, quits the land ; And Juftice, long difgrac'd at Court, had .By Mansfield's fentence been tranfported. Vidl'ry and Fame attend their way,' Though Britain wifti their longer ftay, Care not what George or North would be at» Nor, heed their writs of. »^ exeat ; But, fir'd with love of colonizing, ^<^it the faU'n empire for the riling.' I look'd, and faw, with horror fmitten, Thefe hoftile powers averfe to Britain. When lo ! an awful fpe;^^s With whom Credulity engendered; 71yu^} lMi| Vfith conftitution frail, Xnd fecb^BpB^th that foon rauft fail ; Yet ftratlgifly vers'd in magic lore. And gifted with transforming pow*r. His (kill the wealth Peruvian joins WTth diamonds of Brazilian mifies. 'M. .v^-^ * ,iv .-^ ',£ m t CANTO nr. M* P I N O A L, 137 As erft Jove fell, by fubtle wiles, On Danae's apron through the tiles» In fhow'rs of gold : his potent hand Shalt fhed like fhow'rs through all the land. Lefs great the magic art was reckon'd| Of tallies cad by Charles the Second, Or Law's fam'd Mifliiippi fchemes, Or all the wealth of South-Sea dreaim . For he, of all the world alone. Owns the long-fought Philosopher's Stone, Reftores the fab'lous times to view, And proves the tale of Midas true. O'er heaps of rags he waves his wand. All turn to gold at his command. Provide for prefent wants and future, Raife armies, victual, clothe, accoutre. Adjourn our conqueils by efToigne, Check Howe's advance, and take Burgoyne, Then make all days of payment vain, And turns all back to rags again. In vain great Howe (hall play his part. To ape and counterfeit his art ; In vain (hall Clinton, more belated, A conj'rer turn to imitate it ; with like ill luck and pow'r as narrow. They'll fare, like forc'rers of old Pharaoh, Who, though the art they underftood, Of turning rivers into blood. n^ M.*FIN O AL.. CANTO JV. And caus'd their frogs aod fnatie^ t' ^x^Uit That with fome mfirit ccoak'd ajxd hifai'dy Yet ne'er, by ev'ry quaiuit dpwtp. Could frame thft traa Il^ofaic lice. He for the Wtiigs< his ar>tfi Audi try. Their firft, and hxag theiv fole dXty: ; A patriot firm, while bvoath he draw^. He'll perifh ia his country's caufe ; And when his magic labours ceaie. Lie bury 'd. tn eternal peaue. ♦« Now vkw the fcenes in future hours. That wait the fam^d European Pow'rs. ^ee4 where yon chalky diffs arifc, he hills of Britain ftrike your ay^s t Ifi fmall extenfiion long iupply'd By vaft immenflty of pride j t <>; So fmall, that had iJj fbund « (l^ion . ^■ In this new world at fi;i;(). cteatia9» Or were by Juijiae dpQp^'4. IP fuftr,. And for its crimes tir^nippctj^^ PY*''* We'd find fuljt roQm fp^'t m L.^ke Erie, op^ That larger water-pqi^,j. I^japf^ioi;^*' Q »r» ^te^ il..- ,'5-. :^>^ '■i* ,.^ss< * This fuppofition, fo tu as it re^e«5bs Lake Superior, is :*ot exaggerated. That Lake is aaoo mile« in circumference. his fuppofed by fonie« t;h»l iQ this- p^age thjC Autkpr nxean^ to ridicule tlvq jfaf^oF^UBe o^LOT^l, Nor«;h, iiy the lofs of his. fi^ht. But as thi% pQpn\ vt^ written ^nd publijOie^ji ^01*4 ^ word, as in this edition, fevei;al years before that -misfortune happened, the Author muft he innocent of the UsS^ M^ Xl'ANTO IV. 1W*FING Ah. »39 i is :e. W lis. Q|r ne Pi Where North, on xnargni taking ftand^ Would not be able to fpy land. No more, elate with pow*r at eafc She deals her infults round the iVas ; See ! dwindling from her height anlain^ What piles of ruin fpread the plain <; With mould'ring hulks her ports are flllM> And brambles clothe the cultur'd field ! See, on her cli£Fs her Genius lies, His handkerchief at both his eyes^ With many a deep-drawn figh and groan^ To mourn her ruin and his own ! While joyous Holland, France, and Spain, With conquering navies rule the main, And Ruiflian banners, wide unfurled. Spread commerce round the eaftern world. And fee (fight hateful and tormenting.) Th' American empire, proud a:nd vauritingj From anarchy ftiall change her crafis, And fix her pow'r on firmer bafis ; To glory, wealth, and fame afcend ; Her commerce rife, her realms extend % Where now the panther guards his den, Her defart forefts ifwarm with men, upon any thing more than mental blindnefs. There is no aftu- fion to any other eyes in his lordfhlp, tKah the eyes of his un- derftanding, which were fiip/pofed,'by fohie|)e6pre,«t tliat tiiOe to be wonderfully dhn ; -cfpecially when TOBfidcr^d bs Wloi%- jRg to the At-gU5 of a gfcai natioiu 140 M*F.ING AJL. CANTO IV. Her cities, tow'rs smd colamns rife. And daziling temples meet the (kies ; t Her pines defcending to the main. In triumph fpread the wat'ry plain ; Rido inland lakes with fav'ring gales, And crowd her ports with whit'ntng fails. Till to the ikirts of weftem day, The peopled regions own her fway." Thus far M'Fingal told his tale, When thund'ring fhouts his ears affail^ And ilraight a Tory that ftood fentry, Aghaft, rufli'd headlong down the entry. And with wild outcry, like magician, Difpers'd the refidue of vifion : For now the Whigs intelPgence found Of Tories muft'ring 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 Adom'd the fide with verdant fhow; M*Fingal deem'd it vain to ftay. And rifk his bones in fecond fray ; But chofe a grand retreat from foes. In lit'ral fenfe, beneath their nofc. The window then^ which none elfe kneWf CANTO IV. M*FIKG AL» M« He foftly open'd and crept through. And crawling (low in deadly fear, By movements wife, mad. good his rear $ ' Then, fcoming all the fame of martyr. For Bofton took his fwift departure i Nor dar'd look back on fatal fpot. More than the family of Lot. Not North, in more diftrefs'd condition, Out-voted firft by Oppofition : Nor good King George, when that dire pliantom Of Independence comes to haunt him. Which hov'ring round by night and day. Not all his conj'rers yet can lay. His friends, afTembkd for his fake. He wifely left in pawn, at (lake. To tarring, feathering, kicks, and drubs Of furious, difappointed mobs, And with their forfeit hides to pay For him, their leader crept away. So when wife Noah fummon'd, greeting. All animals to gen'ral meeting ; From ev'ry fide the members fent All kinds of beads to reprefent ; Each from tlie flood took care t' embark, And fave his carcafs in the ark ; But as it fares in (late and church, Left his conflituents in the lurch. F I K I S. E. 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