WHEN North first began With his taxation plan, The Colonies all to supplant, To Britain's true cause, And her liberty, laws, Oh, how did he scorn to recant. Oh! how did he boast Of his pow'r and his host, Alternately swagger and cant; Of freedom so dear, Not a word would he hear, Nor believe he'd be forc'd to recant. That freedom he swore They ne'er should have more, Their money to give and to grant; Whene'er they addressed, What disdain he express'd, Not thinking they'd make him recant. He armies sent o'er To America's shore, New government there to transplant; But every campaign Prov'd his force to be vain, Yet still he refus'd to recant. But with all their bombast, They were so beat at last, As to silence his impious rant; Who for want of success, Could at last do no less Than draw in his horns, and recant. With his brother Burgoyne, He's forc'd now to join, And a treaty of peace for to want; Says he ne'er will fight, But will give up his right To taxation, and freely recant. With the great General Howe, He'd be very glad now, He ne'er had engag'd in the jaunt; And ev'ry proud Scot In the devilish plot, With his Lordship, are forc'd to recant. Old England, alas! They have brought to such pass, Too late are proposals extant; America's lost, Our glory at most Is only that -- tyrants recant. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MY MOTHER LEFT ME by KAREN SWENSON AFTER WINTER by STERLING ALLEN BROWN ITALY SWEET TOO! by JOHN KEATS THE LEAF by ANTOINE VINCENT ARNAULT PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 62. AL-MUMIT by EDWIN ARNOLD EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 20. EVER PRESENT by PHILIP AYRES SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 29. CHRIST AND ENGLAND by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |