Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BARNEY'S INVITATION, by PHILIP FRENEAU


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BARNEY'S INVITATION, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Come all ye lads who know no fear
Last Line: Success to the hyder ali.
Subject(s): American Revolution; Barney, Joshua (1759-1818); Navy - United States; Sea Battles; American Navy; Naval Warfare


COME all ye lads who know no fear,
To wealth and honor with me steer
In the Hyder Ali privateer,
Commanded by brave Barney.

She's new and true, and tight and sound,
Well rigged aloft, and all well found --
Come away and be with laurel crowned,
Away -- and leave your lasses.

Accept our terms without delay,
And make your fortunes while you may,
Such offers are not every day
In the power of the jolly sailor.

Success and fame attend the brave,
But death the coward and the slave,
Who fears to plough the Atlantic wave,
To seek the bold invaders.

Come, then, and take a cruising bout,
Our ship sails well, there is no doubt,
She has been tried both in and out,
And answers expectation.

Let no proud foes whom Europe bore,
Distress our trade, insult our shore --
Teach them to know their reign is o'er,
Bold Philadelphia sailors!

We'll teach them how to sail so near,
Or to venture on the Delaware,
When we in warlike trim appear
And cruise without Henlopen.

Who cannot wounds and battle dare
Shall never clasp the blooming fair;
The brave alone their charms should share,
The brave are their protectors.

With hand and heart united all,
Prepared to conquer or to fall,
Attend, my lads, to honor's call,
Embark in our Hyder Ali.

From an Eastern prince she takes her name,
Who, smit with Freedom's sacred flame,
Usurping Britons brought to shame,
His country's wrongs avenging;

See, on her stern the waving stars --
Inured to blood, inured to wars,
Come, enter quick, my jolly tars,
To scourge these warlike Britons.

Here's grog enough -- then drink a bout,
I know your hearts are firm and stout;
American blood will never give out,
And often we have proved it.

Though stormy oceans round us roll,
We'll keep a firm undaunted soul,
Befriended by the cheering bowl,
Sworn foes to melancholy

When timorous landsmen lurk on shore,
'T is ours to go where cannons roar --
On a coasting cruise we'll go once more,
Despisers of all danger;

And Fortune still, who crowns the brave,
Shall guard us over the gloomy wave;
A fearful heart betrays the knave --
Success to the Hyder Ali.





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