Draw glist’ning swords and, awful sight!
Meet face to face upon the stage
To sing a song, but not to fight!
I’ve heard a king exclaim ‘To arms!’
Some twenty times, yet still remain;
I’ve known his army ‘midst alarms,
Help by a bass their monarch’s strain.
I’ve known a hero wounded sore,
With well-tuned voice his foes defy;
And warbling stoutly on the floor,