“Dark rumours through the country ran,
And many filled with fear—
And an old ‘Blacking man,’ called Hunt,
At Preston did appear.
“And long before this time they had
Been lab’ring in vain,
And fencing round their borough towns,
That must be sieged and ta’en.
“The Bill-men muster’d on the hills,
Unable to endure;
They of their bare backs show’d a part,
Their clothing being poor.
“The ancient Whigs in front did stand,
Not one was seen to quake;
And with loud cries the hills and vales
Were rous’d for freedom’s sake.
“Duke Wellington stood in the bent,
And spoke with haughty sneer—
Says he, ‘Earl Grey he promised,
And Russell, to be here.
“‘But now I think they will not come,
To meet us here this day.’
With that a trembling pensioner
Thus to the Duke did say:—
“‘Lo! yonder doth Lord Russell come—
Earl Grey is in my sight—
Behind I see a countless host,
And gloomy as the night.
“‘All men displeased, from hill and dale
The King’s name gives them head.’
‘Fie on the King,’ said Wellington,
‘Although I eat his bread.
“‘And, now, my proud preservatives,
Your courage to advance;
Upon the plains of Belgium,
You know I conquer’d France.
“‘And even the great Bonaparte,
That filled the world with fear,
I him encounter’d man for man
With Blucher in his rear.’