[Sir William] he, snug as a flea,
Lay all this time a snoring;
Nor dream'd of harm as he lay warm
In bed with [Mrs. Loring].
Now in a fright, he starts upright,
Awaked by such a clatter;
He rubs both eyes, and boldly cries,
"For God's sake, what's the matter?"
At his bedside he then espy'd,
[Sir Erskine] at command, Sir;
Upon one foot he had one boot,
And t' other in his hand, Sir.
"Arise, arise," Sir Erskine cries,
"The rebels—more's the pity—
Without a boat, are all afloat,
And rang'd before the city.
"The motley crew, in vessels new,
With Satan for their guide, Sir,
Pack'd up in bags, and wooden kegs,
Come driving down the tide, Sir.
"Therefore prepare for bloody war;
These kegs must all be routed;
Or surely we dispis'd shall be,
And British valor doubted."
The royal band now ready stand,
All ranged in dread array, Sir,
On every slip, on every ship,
For to begin the fray, Sir.
The cannons roar from shore to shore;
The small-arms loud did rattle;
Since wars began I'm sure no man
E'er saw so strange a battle.
The rebel dales, the rebel vales,
With rebel trees surrounded,
The distant woods, the hills and floods,
With rebel echoes sounded.
The fish below swam to and fro,
Attack'd from every quarter;
Why, sure (thought they), the De'il's to pay
'Mong folks above the water.