The hereticks their guard did so keep,
Which put us in a trembling fear.20
We concluded something further,
To seize the churches all in the town,
With killing and slaying, while they were a praying,
But we were routed, and soon run down.
Nay, before noon, we vowed to despatch25
Every man, nay, woman and child;
This in our hearts we freely did hatch,
Vowing to make a prey of the spoil.
But we straightways was prevented,
When we did hope for fame and renown;30
In less than an hour we [are] forcéd to scoure;
By Chreest and St. Patrick, we are run down.
We were resolved Reading to clear,
Having in hand the flourishing sword;
The bloody sceen was soon to appear,35
For we did then but wait for the word:
While the ministers were preaching,
We were resolved to have at their gown;
But straight was surrounded, and clearly confounded,
By Chreest and St. Patrick, we all go down.40
Just as we all were fit to fall on,
In came the Dutch with fury and speed;
And amongst them there was not a man,
But what was rarely mounted indeed;
And rid up as fierce as tygers,45
Knitting their brows, they on us did frown;
Not one of them idle, their teeth held their bridle,
By Chreest and St. Patrick, we were run down.
They never stood to use many words,
But in all haste up to us they flocked,50
In their right hands their flourishing swords,
And their left carbines ready cock'd.
We were forced to fly before them,
Thorow the lanes and streets of the town;
While they pursued after, and threaten'd a slaughter,55
By Chreest and St. Patrick, we were run down.
Then being fairly put to the rout,
Hunted and drove before 'um like dogs,
Our captain bid us then face about,
But we wisht for our Irish bogs.60
Having no great mind for fighting,
The Dutch did drive us thorow the town;
Our foreheads we crossed, yet still was unhorsed,
By Chreest and St. Patrick, we're all run down.
We threw away our swords and carbines,65
Pistols and cloaks lay strow'd on the lands;
Cutting off boots for running, uds-doyns,
One pair of heels was worth two pair of hands.
Then we called on sweet [St. Coleman],
Hoping he might our victory crown;70
But Dutchmen pursuing poor Teagues to our ruin,
By Chreest and St. Patrick, we're all run down.
Never was Teagues in so much distress,
As the whole world may well understand;
When we came here, we thought to possess75
Worthy estates of houses and land:
But we find 'tis all a story,
Fortune is pleased on us to frown:
Instead of our riches, we stink in our breeches,
By Chreest and St. Patrick, we're all run down.80