'T WAS on a pleasant mountain The Tory heathens lay, With a doughty major at their head, One Ferguson, they say. Cornwallis had detach'd him A-thieving for to go, And catch the Carolina men, Or bring the rebels low. The scamp had rang'd the country In search of royal aid, And with his owls, perched on high, He taught them all his trade. But ah! that fatal morning, When Shelby brave drew near! 'T is certainly a warning That ministers should hear. And Campbell, and Cleveland, And Colonel Sevier, Each with a band of gallant men, To Ferguson appear. Just as the sun was setting Behind the western hills, Just then our trusty rifles sent A dose of leaden pills. Up, up the steep together Brave Williams led his troop, And join'd by Winston, bold and true, Disturb'd the Tory coop. The royal slaves, the royal owls, Flew high on every hand; But soon they settled -- gave a howl, And quarter'd to Cleveland. I would not tell the number Of Tories slain that day, But surely it is certain That none did run away. For all that were a-living, Were happy to give up; So let us make thanksgiving, And pass the bright tin-cup. To all the brave regiments, Let's toast 'em for their health, And may our good country Have quietude and wealth. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE WATER NYMPHS DRINKING AT THE FOUNTAIN by ROBERT HERRICK BY THE SEA by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI TWO WOMEN by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS PRINCETON by LYMAN WHITNEY ALLEN THE GODODDIN: CONAN by ANEIRIN AT THE LATTICE by ALFRED AUSTIN |