Joseph Stansbury.
Another of Stansbury's lyrics, and perhaps the best he ever wrote, is "The Lords of the Main," intended for the use of the British sailors then engaged in fighting their ancient foes, France and Spain.
THE LORDS OF THE MAIN
[1780]
When Faction, in league with the treacherous Gaul,
Began to look big, and paraded in state,
A meeting was held at Credulity Hall,
And Echo proclaimed their ally good and great.
By sea and by land
Such wonders are planned—
No less than the bold British lion to chain!
"Well hove!" says Jack Lanyard,
"French, [Congo], and Spaniard,
Have at you!—remember, we're Lords of the Main.
Lords of the Main, aye, Lords of the Main;
The Tars of old England are Lords of the Main!"
Though party-contention awhile may perplex,
And lenity hold us in doubtful suspense,
If perfidy rouse, or ingratitude vex,
In defiance of hell we'll chastise the offence.
When danger alarms,
'Tis then that in arms
United we rush on the foe with disdain;
And when the storm rages,
It only presages
Fresh triumphs to Britons as Lords of the Main!
Lords of the Main, aye, Lords of the Main—
Let thunder proclaim it, we're Lords of the Main!
Then, Britons, strike home—make sure of your blow:
The chase is in view—never mind a lea shore.
With vengeance o'ertake the confederate foe:
'Tis now we may rival our heroes of yore!
Brave Anson, and Drake,
Hawke, Russell, and Blake,
With ardor like yours, we defy France and Spain!
Combining with treason,
They're deaf to all reason;
Once more let them feel we are Lords of the Main.
Lords of the Main, aye, Lords of the Main—
The first-born of Neptune are Lords of the Main!
Joseph Stansbury.
Among the desperate and foolish expedients to which the British resorted in the hope of winning America back to her allegiance was that of sending Prince William Henry, afterwards William IV, to New York in 1781. The Tory authorities of the city overwhelmed him with adulation, but in the country at large, his visit excited only derision.
THE ROYAL ADVENTURER