The wounded wept like women when they hauled her ensign down.
Men's cheeks were pale as with the tale from Hingham to the town
They hurried in swift silence, while toward the eastern night
The victor bore away from shore and vanished out of sight.
Hail to the great ship Chesapeake! Hail to the hero brave
Who fought her fast, and loved her last, and shared her sudden grave!
And glory be to those that died for all eternity;
They lie apart at the mother-heart of God's eternal sea.
Thomas Tracy Bouvé.
A British versifier celebrated the victory by composing a ballad in imitation of the famous one about the Constitution and Guerrière.
CHESAPEAKE AND SHANNON
[June 1, 1813]
The Chesapeake so bold
Out of Boston, I've been told,
Came to take a British Frigate
Neat and handy O!
While the people of the port
Flocked out to see the sport,
With their music playing
Yankee Doodle Dandy O!
Now the British Frigate's name
Which for the purpose came
Of cooling Yankee courage
Neat and handy O!
Was the Shannon, Captain Broke,
Whose crew were heart of oak,
And for the fighting were confessed
To be the dandy O!
The engagement scarce begun
Ere they flinched from their guns,
Which at first they thought of working
Neat and handy O!
The bold Broke he waved his sword,
Crying, "Now, my lads, on board,
And we'll stop their playing
Yankee Doodle Dandy O!"
They no sooner heard the word
Than they quickly rushed aboard
And hauled down the Yankee ensign
Neat and handy O!
Notwithstanding all their brag,
Now the glorious British flag
At the Yankee's mizzen-peak
Was quite the dandy O!