THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE
July the first of a morning fair
In seventeen ninety famous,
King William did- his men prepare
To fight with false King Shamus.
King James he pitched his tents between
The lines for to retire;
But King William threw his bomb-balls in
And set them all on fire.
Thereat revenge the Irish vowed
Upon King William's forces,
And vehemently with cries did crowd
To check their forward courses.
A ball from out their batteries Hew
As our King he faced their fire;
His shoulder-knot away it shot,
Quoth he, "Pray come no nigher!"
Then straight his officers he did call,
Saying, "Gentlemen, mind your station,
And prove your valour one and all
Before this Irish nation.
My brazen walls let no man break,
And your subtle foes you'll scatter;
Let us show them to-day good English play,
As we go over the water."
Then horse and foot we marched amain,
Resolved their ranks to batter;
But the brave Duke Schomberg he was slain,
As we went over the water.
Then King William cried, "Feel no dismay
At the losing of one commander,
For God shall be our king to-day,
And I'll be general under."
Then stoutly we Boyne river crossed
To give the Irish battle;
Our cannon to his dreadful cost
Like thunder-claps did rattle.
In majestic mien our Prince rode o'er,
The stream ran red with slaughter
As with blow and shout we put to rout
Our enemies over the water.
——Anon. Adapted by A. P. Graves.
