Couldst act the patriot hero's part,
And bear thy country on thy heart,

Ev'n while it languish'd in the pangs of death.

As once the Decii certain death defy'd,
T' insure Rome conquest and devoted dy'd;
As Curtius, noble youth! intrepid brav'd
The gulf wide-yawning, and his country sav'd:
So thou, brave Wolfe, durst, at the heav'nly call,
Rush into ruin's open jaws,

Thus like those heroes didst thou greatly fall,
Thyself devoted in thy country's cause.

Long as Quebec shall rear aloft her head,
Long as her rocks her stable walls sustain,

Long as Laurentius in his spacious bed,
Rolls his vast tide of waters to the main ;
So long, O Wolfe, thy memory shall bloom,
And deathless laurels flourish on thy tomb.

This is followed by two patriotic hymns, composed for, and sung on days of national thanksgiving, "by desire of the preacher on his text."

The author also tries his hand on French verse, and gives La Lamentation de Louis sur les victoires des Anglois. A.D. MDCCLX.

This is followed by Loyal Tears shed over Royal Dust, an elegy on George II. Also, "on the Liberty of the Press to Mr. F, printer, at New York, A.D. MDCCLXII." With other verses on incidents of the war, and two Latin paraphrases of the lament of David over Absalom, and the fight with Goliath.

In 1791, Dr. Prime published Columbia's Glory, or British Pride Humbled; a Poem on the American Revolution: some part of it being a parody on an ode entitled Britain's Glory, or Gallic Pride Humbled; composed on the capture of Quebec, A.D. 1759, by Benjamin Young Prime, M.D. In a brief preface, he speaks of his former publication in London, in 1764, and of the requests of his friends made to him to compose a parody upon it in honor of the American revolution. The plan expanded to a composition of 1441 lines, occupied with a review of the events of the war, a eulogy of the friends and denunciation of the enemies of the country. It was ready for publication at the close of the war, but, as the author informs in consequence of a seven years' absence from the city, his affairs had become somewhat deranged, and as no printer could be found to execute the work on any but cash terms, he postponed publishing for a few years. We extract a portion of a panegy

ric upon Washington :—

us,

O Washington! thou dear, illustrious chief!
Thou ornament and blessing to mankind!

The soldier's glory and thy country's pride!
Columbia's skilful guide

Through the dire contest, and her sweet relief
In all the sorrows of her state forlorn!
How has thy character refin'd

From the Virginia Gazette, May 2, 1766. Sure never was picture drawn more to the life Or affectionate husband more fond of his wife, Than America copies and loves Britain's sons, Who, conscious of Freedom, are bold as great guns. "Hearts of Oak are we still, for we're sons of those Men,

Who always are ready, steady, boys, steady, To fight for their freedom again and again." Tho' we feast and grow fat on America's soil, Yet we own ourselves subjects of Britain's fair isle; And who's so absurd to deny us the name? Since true British blood flows in every vein. "Hearts of Oak, &c."

Then cheer up, my lads, to your country be firm, Like kings of the ocean, we'll weather each storm; Integrity calls out, fair liberty, see,

Waves her Flag o'er our heads and her words are be free.

"Hearts of Oak, &c."

The next we present was published in the Pennsylvania Chronicle, July 4, 1768. It was one of the earliest lyrics of the Revolution, and, by an advertisement in Hugh Gaine's Gazette, appears to have been published with the music to which it was set. It has been attributed both to Mrs. Mercy Warren,* and to John Dickinson.

A SONG.

To the Tune of "Hearts of Oak," &c.

Come, join hand in hand, brave Americans all, And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call; No tyrannous act shall suppress your just claim, Or stain with dishonour America's name.

In freedom we're born, and in freedom we'll live!

Our purses are ready—

Steady, friends, steady;

Not as slaves, but as freemen our money we'll give.

Our worthy forefathers (let's give them a cheer)
To climates unknown did courageously steer;
Through oceans to deserts for freedom they came,
And, dying, bequeath'd us their freedom and fame.
In freedom we're born, &c.

Their generous bosoms all dangers despised,
So highly, so wisely their birthrights they prized;
We'll keep what they gave, we will piously keep,
Nor frustrate their toils on the land and the deep.
In freedom we're born, &c.

The tree their own hands had to Liberty rear'd,
They lived to behold growing strong and revered,
With transport then cried, Now our wishes we

66

gain, For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain." In freedom we're born, &c.

How sweet are the labours that freemen endure,
That they shall enjoy all the profit, secure-
No more such sweet labours Americans know
If Britons shall reap what Americans sow.
In freedom we're born, &c.

Swarms of placemen and pensionerst soon will

appear,

Like locusts deforming the charms of the year;
Suns vainly will rise, showers vainly descend,
If we are to drudge for what others shall spend.
In freedom we're born, &c.

Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all,
By uniting, we stand, by dividing, we fall;
In so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed
For Heaven approves of each generous deed.
In freedom we're born, &c.

All ages shall speak with amaze and applause
Of the courage we'll show in support of our laws;
To die we can bear, but to serve we disdain,
For shame is to freemen more dreadful than pain.
In freedom we're born, &c.

This bumper I crown for our sovereign's health,
And this for Britannia's glory and wealth;
That wealth and that glory immortal may be,
If she is but just, and if we are but free.
In freedom we're born, &c.

A tory parody of this song appeared in the Supplement Extraordinary to the Boston Gazette of Monday, September 26, 1768:

Then plunder, my lads, for when red coats appear, You'll melt like the locusts when winter is near: Gold vainly will glow; silver vainly will shine; But faith you must skulk, you no more shall purloin. In folly, &c.

Then nod your poor numbskulls, ye pumpkins, and bawl!

The De'il take such rascals, fools, whoresons and all.
Your cursed old trade of purloining must cease,
The curse and the dread of all order and peace.
In folly, &c.

All ages shall speak with contempt and amaze,
Of the vilest Banditti that swarm'd in those days;
In defiance of halters, of whips, and of chains,
The rogues would run riot, damn'd fools for their
pains.

In folly, &c.

Gulp down your last dram, for the gallows now groans,

And order depress'd her lost empire bemoans; While we quite transported and happy shall be, From snobs, knaves and villains, protected and free. In folly, &c.

We soon after have the tables again turned, in a new version of this popular song. It was published in a handbill at Boston.*

We are indebted for this and the previous song to a very valuable collection of cuttings from American and English newspapers, illustrating the history of our country from 1660 to 1840, formed by the antiquary William Upcott, in the possession of the New York Historical Society.

THE PARODY PARODIZED, OR THE MASSACHUSETTS SONG OF LIBERTY.

Come, swallow your bumpers, ye Tories, and roar, That the sons of fair freedom are hamper'd once

more;

But know that no cut-throats our spirits can tame, Nor a host of oppressors shall smother the flame.

Chorus.

In freedom we're born, and like sons of the brave,
Will never surrender,

But swear to defend her,

And scorn to survive if unable to save.

Our grandsires, blest heroes! we'll give them a tear, Nor sully their honors by stooping to fear;

Thro' deaths and thro' dangers their trophies they

won,

We dare be their rivals, nor will be outdone.

Chorus.

Let tyrants and minions presume to despise, Encroach on our rights and make freedom their prize; The fruits of their rapine they never shall keepTho' vengeance may nod, yet how short is her sleep. Chorus.

The tree which proud Haman for Mordecai rear'd, Stands recorded, that virtue endanger'd is spar'd; That rogues, whom no bonds and no laws can restrain, Must be stript of their honors and humbled again.

Chorus.

Our wives and our babes still protected, shall know
Those who dare to be free shall for ever be so;
On these arms and these hearts they may safely rely,
For in freedom we'll live, or like heroes we'll die.
Chorus.

Ye insolent tyrants, who wish to enthrall,
Ye minions! ye placemen! pimps, pensioners, all!
How short is your triumph, how feeble your trust!
Your honors must wither and nod to the dust.

Chorus.

When opprest and reproach'd, our king we implore,
Still firmly persuaded our rights he'll restore;
When our hearts beat to arms to defend a just right,
Our monarch rules there, and forbids us to fight.
Chorus.

Not the glitter of arms, nor the dread of a fray,
Could make us submit to their chains for a day;
Withheld by affection, on Britons we call,
Prevent the fierce conflict which threatens your fall.
Chorus.

All ages shall speak with amaze and applause,
Of the prudence we show in support of our cause.
Assur'd of our safety a Brunswick still reigns,
Whose free, loyal subjects are strangers to chains.
Chorus.

Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all,
To be free, is to live; to be slaves is to fall;
Has the land such a dastard as scorns not a lord?
Who dreads not a fetter much more than a sword?
Chorus.

A song to the same tune was composed in New York, in honor of some of the leaders of opinion in that day, a portion of whom afterwards figured on the royalist side. It appeared in the New York Journal, January 26, 1769.

A SONG.

Come, cheer up, my lads, like a true British band, In the cause of our country who join heart and hand;

Fair Freedom invites she cries out-"Agree!
And be steadfast for those that are steadfast for me."

Hearts of oak are we all,
Hearts of oak we'll remain :
We always are ready—
Steady, boys, steady-

To give them our voices again and again.
With the brave sons of Freedom, of every degree,
Unite all the good-and united are we :
But still be the lot of the villains disgrace-
Whose foul, rotten hearts give the lie to their face.
Hearts of oak, &c.

See! their unblushing chieftain! perverter of laws!
His teeth are the shark's, and a vulture's his claws-
As soon would I venture-howe'er he may talk,
My lambs with a wolf, or my fowls with a hawk.
Hearts of oak, &c.

First-the worth of good Cruger let's crown with applause,

Who has join'd us again in fair Liberty's cause-
Sour Envy, herself, is afraid of his name,

And weeps that she finds not a blot in his fame.
Hearts of oak, &c.

To Jauncey, my souls, let your praises resound! With health and success may his goodness be crown'd:

May the cup of his joy never cease to run o'er-
For he gave to us all when he gave to the poor!
Hearts of oak, &c.

What Briton, undaunted, that pants to be free,
But warms at the mention of brave De Launcey?
"Happy Freedom!" said Fame, "what a son have

you here!

Whose head is approved, and whose heart is sincere.” Hearts of oak, &c.

For worth and for truth, and good nature renown'd,
Let the name and applauses of Walton go round:
His prudence attracts-but his free, honest soul
Gives a grace to the rest, and enlivens the whole.
Hearts of oak, &c.

Huzza! for the patriots whose virtue is tried-
Unbiass'd by faction, untainted by pride:
Who Liberty's welfare undaunted pursue,
With heads ever clear, and hearts ever true.
Hearts of oak, &c.

The planting of the first liberty pole in the country in The Fields at New York, in that portion of the present Park between the west end of the City Hall and Broadway, by the Sons of Liberty, and the struggle which ensued between that energetic band and the government troops, during which the pole was cut down, again set up, again felled, and finally hooped and otherwise protected with iron, seems to have excited the attention of some Tory versifier, who perpetrated a burlesque cantata, a copy of which is preserved in its original form of four folio pages, printed in large type, in the collection of broadsides made by Du Simitière, now in the possession of the Library Company of Philadelphia. A MS. note by that antiquary on the copy, informs us that "this paper was found under the front door of a great many houses in New York on the morning of the fifth of March, 1770."

The Procession with the Standard of Faction: a Cantata, opens with a few lines of

RECITATIVE.

"Twas on the morn when Virtue wept to see
Discord stalk forth in robes of liberty,
The sons of Faction met (a ghastly band!)
To fix their standard in our bleeding land:

Come listen, good neighbours of every degree,
Whose hearts, like your purses, are open and free,
Let this pole a monument ever remain,
Of the folly and arts of the time-serving train.
Derry down, &c.

Its bottom, so artfully fix'd under ground,
Resembles their scheming, so low and profound;
The dark underminings, and base dirty ends,
On which the success of the faction depends.
Derry down, &c.

The vane, mark'd with freedom, may put us in mind,
As it varies, and flutters, and turns, with the wind,
That no faith can be plac'd in the words of our foes,
Who change as the wind of their interest blows.
Derry down, &c.

The iron clasp'd around it, so firm and so neat,
Resembles too closely their fraud and deceit,
If the outside's but guarded, they care not a pin,
How rotten and hollow the heart is within.
Derry down, &c.

Then away, ye pretenders to freedom, away,
Who strive to cajole us in hopes to betray;
Leave the pole for the stroke of the lightning to

This curious production has never, to our knowledge, been reprinted or noticed. Our extracts are from Du Simitière's copy, the only one we have met with.

The burning of the armed schooner Gaspee in the waters of Rhode Island, one of the earliest instances of resistance to British authority, gave rise to a ballad at the time which has a genuine flavor of the popular feeling. The passage of history to which it refers is thus related by Bancroft. The time was June, 1772.

"Inhabitants of Providence, in Rhode Island, had in the last March, complained to the Deputy Governor of the conduct of Lieutenant Dudingston, Commander of the Gaspee, who obstructed their vessels and boats, without showing any evidence of his authority. Hopkins, the Chief Justice, on being consulted, gave the opinion, that any person who should come into the Colony and exercise any authority by force of arms, without showing his commission to the Governor, and if a Custom House officer, without being sworn into his office, was guilty of a trespass, if not piracy.' The Governor, therefore, sent a sheriff on board the Gaspee, to ascertain by what orders the Lieutenant acted; and Dudingston referred the subject to the Admiral. The Admiral answered from Boston: The Lieutenant, Sir, has done his duty. I shall give the King's officers directions, that they send every man taken in molesting them to me. As sure as the people of Newport attempt to rescue any vessel, and any of them are taken, I will hang them as pirates.' Dudingston seconded the insolence of his superior officer, insulted the inhabitants, plundered the islands of sheep and hogs, cut down trees, fired at market boats, detained vessels without a colorable pretext, and made illegal seizures of goods of which the recovery cost more than they were worth.

"On the ninth of June, the Providence Packet was returning to Providence, and proud of its speed, went gayly on, heedless of the Gaspee. Dudingston gave chase. The tide being at flood, the Packet ventured near shore; the Gaspee confidently followed; and drawing more water ran aground on Nauquit, a little below Pautuxet. The following night a party of men in six or seven boats, led by John Brown and Joseph Brown of Providence, and Simeon Potter of Bristol, boarded the stranded schooner, after a scuffle in which Dudingston was wounded, took and landed its crew, and then set it on fire."*

The author of the old ballad is unknown:

NEW SONG CALLED THE GASPEE†
Twas in the reign of George the Third,
The public peace was much disturb'd,
By ships of war that came and laid,
Within our ports to stop our trade.
In seventeen hundred and seventy-two,
In Newport harbor lay a crew
That play'd the parts of pirates there,
The sons of Freedom could not bear.

Sometimes they'd weigh, and give them chase,
Such actions, sure were very base!-
No honest coasters could pass by,

But what they would let some shot fly.

Bancroft's United States, vi. 416, 417.

+ From Sketches of Newport and its Vicinity, publishe John S. Taylor, New York, 1842, pp. 150-2.

Which did provoke to high degree
Those true-born Sons of Liberty,-
So that they could no longer bear
Those sons of Belial staying there.

It was not long, ere it fell out

That William Duddingston, so stout,
Commander of the Gaspee tender,
Which he has reason to remember-

Because, as people do assert,
He almost met his just desert;
Here on the twelfth day of last June,
Between the hours of twelve and one-

Did chase the sloop called the Hannah,
Of which one Lindsay was commander-
They dogg'd her up Providence Sound,
And there the rascals got aground.

The news of it flew that very day,
That they on Naquit Point did lay;-
That night, about half after ten,
Some Narragansett Indian-men,
Being sixty-four, if I remember,

Soon made this stout coxcomb surrender-
And what was best of all their tricks,
In him a ball too they did fix-

Then set the men upon the land
And burnt her up, we understand-
Which thing provok'd the king so high
He said those men should surely die
So if he can but find them out,
King George has offered very stout
One thousand pounds to find out one
That wounded William Duddingston.

One thousand more, he says he'll spare
To those who say they Sheriffs were-
One thousand more there doth remain
For to find out the leader's name.

Likewise one hundred pound per man,
For any one of all the clan;
But let him try his utmost skill,
I'm apt to think he never will
Find out one of these hearts of gold,
Though he should offer fifty fold.

We have next to present three out of several scraps of verse on the exciting topic of tea. The first is from the New Hampshire Gazette of July 22, 1774; the second from the Pennsylvania Journal of September 14, in the same year; the third is also from a newspaper of about the same period:

IV.

Forbid it, Heaven, let us be wise,
And seek our country's good;
Nor ever let a thought arise,
That tea should be our food.

V.

Since we so great a plenty have,
Of all that's for our health;
Shall we that baleful herb receive,
Impoverishing our wealth.

VI.

When we survey the breathless corpse,
With putrid matter fill'd;

For crawling worms a sweet resort,
By us reputed ill.

VII.

Noxious effluvia sending out
From its pernicious store,
Not only from the foaming mouth,
But every lifeless pore.

VIIL

To view the same enroll'd in TEA,
Besmear'd with such perfumes,
And then the herb sent o'er the sea,
To us it tainted comes.

IX.

Some of it tinctur'd with the filth

Of carcases embalm'd;

Taste of this herb then if thou wilt, Sure me it cannot charm.

Σ.

Adieu, away, O TEA begone,
Salute our taste no more;
Though thou art coveted by some,
Who're destin'd to be poor.

VIRGINIA BANISHING TEA.

By a Lady.

Begone, pernicious baneful tea,
With all Pandora's ills possess'd;
Hyson, no more beguiled by thee,
My noble sons shall be oppress'd.
To Britain fly, where gold enslaves

And venal men their birth-right sell:
Tell North and his brib'd clan of knaves
Their bloody acts were made in hell.
In Henry's reign those acts began,
Which sacred rules of justice broke;
North now pursues the hellish plan,
To fix on us his slavish yoke.
But we oppose, and will be free,

This great good cause we will defend; Nor bribe, nor Gage, nor North's decree, Shall make us "at his feet to bend." From Anglia's ancient sons we came, Those heroes who for freedom fought; In Freedom's cause we'll match their fame, By their example greatly taught. Our king we love, but North we hate, Nor will to him submission own;

If death's our doom, we'll brave our fate, But pay allegiance to the throne.

A LADY'S ADIEU TO HER TEA-TABLE

Farewell the tea-board, with its gaudy equipage
Of cups and saucers, cream-bucket, sugar-tongs,
The pretty tea-chest also, lately stor'd
With Hyson, Congou, and best double fine.