"Now, now de heretics all go down,
Lilli, &c.
By Chreist and St. Patrick de nation's our own,
Lilli, &c.
THE READING SKIRMISH;
OR, THE BLOODY IRISH ROUTED BY THE VICTORIOUS DUTCH.
Five hundred papishes came there,
To make a final end
Of all the town, in time of prayer,
But God did them defend.
To the tune of Lilli borlero. Licensed according to order. Printed for J. D. in the year 1688.
We came into brave Reading by night,
Five hundred horsemen proper and tall;
Yet not resolved fairly to fight,
But for to cut the throats of them all.
Most of us was Irish Papists,5
Who vowed to kill, then plunder the town;
We this never doubted, but soon we were routed,
By Chreest and St. Patrick, we all go down.
In Reading town we ne'er went to bed;
Every soul there mounted his horse,10
Hoping next day to fill them with dread;
Yet I swear by St. Patrick's cross,
We most shamefully was routed:
Fortune was pleased to give us a frown,
And blasted our glory: I'll tell you the story,15
By Chreest and St. Patrick we all go down.
We thought to slay them all in their sleep,
But by my shoul, were never the near,