Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN, by PHILIP FRENEAU Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Parading near saint peter's flood Last Line: Her armies for her own defence. Subject(s): Lake Champlain, Battle Of; Macdonough, Thomas (1783-1825); War Of 1812 | ||||||||
PARADING near Saint Peter's flood Full fourteen thousand soldiers stood; Allied with natives of the wood, With frigates, sloops, and galleys near; Which southward, now, began to steer; Their object was, Ticonderogue. Assembled at Missisqui bay A feast they held, to hail the day, When all should bend to British sway From Plattsburgh to Ticonderogue. And who could tell, if reaching there They might not other laurels share And England's flag in triumph bear To the capitol, at Albany! Sir George advanced, with fire and sword, The frigates were with vengeance stored, The strength of Mars was felt on board, -- When Downie gave the dreadful word, Huzza! for death or victory! Sir George beheld the prize at stake, And, with his veterans, made the attack, Macomb's brave legions drove him back; And England's fleet approached, to meet A desperate combat, on the lake. From Isle La Motte to Saranac With sulphurous clouds the heavens were black; We saw advance the Confiance, Shall blood and carnage mark her track, To gain dominion on the lake. Then on our ships she poured her flame, And many a tar did kill or maim, Who suffered for their country's fame, Her soil to save, her rights to guard. Macdonough, now, began his play, And soon his seamen heard him say, "No Saratoga yields, this day, To all the force that Britain sends. "Disperse, my lads, and man the waist, Be firm, and to your stations haste, And England from Champlain is chased, If you behave as you see me." The fire began with awful roar; At our first flash the artillery tore, From his proud stand, their commodore, A presage of the victory. The skies were hid in flame and smoke, Such thunders from the cannon spoke, The contest such an aspect took As if all nature went to wreck! Amidst his decks, with slaughter strewed, Unmoved, the brave Macdonough stood, Or waded through a scene of blood, At every step that round him streamed: He stood amidst Columbia's sons, He stood amidst dismounted guns, He fought amidst heart-rending groans, The tattered sail, the tottering mast. Then, round about, his ship he wore, And charged his guns with vengeance sore, And more than Etna shook the shore -- The foe confessed the contest vain. In vain they fought, in vain they sailed, That day; for Britain's fortune failed, And their best efforts naught availed To hold dominion on Champlain. So, down their colors to the deck The vanquished struck -- their ships a wreck -- What dismal tidings for Quebec, What news for England and her prince! For, in this fleet, from England won, A favorite project is undone; Her sorrows only are begun -- And she may want, and very soon, Her armies for her own defence. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS [JANUARY 8, 1815] by THOMAS DUNN ENGLISH THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER by FRANCIS SCOTT KEY THE LOST WAR-SLOOP by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR DEFEAT AND VICTORY by WALLACE RICE FIRST FRUITS IN 1812 [AUGUST 19, 1812] by WALLACE RICE JACK CREAMER [OCTOBER 25, 1812] by JAMES JEFFREY ROCHE THE FIGHT OF THE ARMSTRONG PRIVATEER by JAMES JEFFREY ROCHE THE VICTORY OF PERRY by ALICE CARY TO THE DEFENDERS OF NEW ORLEANS by JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE AN ANCIENT PROPHECY by PHILIP FRENEAU |
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