For cross coves manag’d, as they pleas’d, to win or lose a fight,
Unlike brave English Pugilists,
Men of the olden time!
Then censures on the fancy Ring on every hand were rife,
And beaks proclaim’d they’d put an end to Boxiana’s life;
And now, as a more gentle mode of settling points of strife,
We’ve introduc’d, God save the mark! the dagger and the knife;
Oh, for brave English Pugilists,
Men of the olden time!
Now surely it were better far the Ring should thrive again,