For instance, only let us mention
Some proof of her benign intention;
The slaves she sends us o'er the deep,
And bribes to cut our throats in sleep.
To take our lives and scalps away,
The savage Indians keeps in pay,
And Tories worse, by half, than they.
Then, in this class of Britain's heroes,—
The Tories, savage Indians, negroes,—
Recorded Arnold's name shall stand,
While Freedom's blessings crown our land,
And odious for the blackest crimes,
Arnold shall stink to latest times.
EPIGRAM
Quoth Satan to Arnold: "My worthy good fellow,
I love you much better than ever I did;
You live like a prince, with Hal may get mellow,—
But mind that you both do just what I bid."
Quoth Arnold to Satan: "My friend, do not doubt me!
I will strictly adhere to all your great views;
To you I'm devoted, with all things about me—
You'll permit me, I hope, to die in my shoes."
New Jersey Gazette, November 1, 1780.
André was tried by court-martial September 29, and condemned to be hanged as a spy. Clinton, with whom André was a warm personal favorite, made a desperate effort to save him, but in vain; and a petition from André himself that he might be shot instead of hanged was also rejected.
ANDRÉ'S REQUEST TO WASHINGTON
[October 1, 1780]
It is not the fear of death
That damps my brow,
It is not for another breath
I ask thee now;
I can die with a lip unstirr'd
And a quiet heart—
Let but this prayer be heard
Ere I depart.