Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON THE CAPTURE OF THE GUERRIERE, by PHILIP FRENEAU Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Long the tyrant of our coast Last Line: Dacre and the guerriere! Subject(s): Constitution (ship); Navy - Great Britain; Sea Battles; War Of 1812; English Navy; Naval Warfare | ||||||||
LONG the tyrant of our coast Reigned the famous Guerriere; Our little navy she defied, Public ship and privateer: On her sails in letters red, To our captains were displayed Words of warning, words of dread, "All who meet me, have a care! I am England's Guerriere." On the wide, Atlantic deep (Not her equal for the fight) The Constitution, on her way, Chanced to meet these men of might; On her sails was nothing said, But her waist the teeth displayed That a deal of blood could shed, Which, if she would venture near, Would stain the decks of the Guerriere. Now our gallant ship they met -- And, to struggle with John Bull -- Who had come, they little thought, Strangers, yet, to Isaac Hull: Better soon to be acquainted: Isaac hailed the Lord's anointed -- While the crew the cannon pointed, And the balls were so directed With a blaze so unexpected; Isaac so did maul and rake her That the decks of Captain Dacre Were in such a woful pickle As if death with scythe and sickle, With his sling, or with his shaft Had cut his harvest fore and aft. Thus, in thirty minutes ended, Mischiefs that could not be mended; Masts, and yards, and ship descended All to David Jones's locker -- Such a ship in such a pucker! Drink a bout to the Constitution. She performed some execution, Did some share of retribution For the insults of the year When she took the Guerriere. May success again await her, Let who will again command her, Bainbridge, Rodgers, or Decatur -- Nothing like her can withstand her With a crew like that on board her Who so boldly called "to order" One bold crew of English sailors, Long, too long our seamen's jailors, Dacre and the Guerriere! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOST ABOARD U.S.S. 'GROWLER'; IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM HICKEY, 1944 by CHARLES OLSON THE CRUISE OF THE MONITOR [MARCH 9, 1862] by GEORGE M. BAKER THE SHANNON AND THE CHESAPEAKE [JUNE 1, 1813] by THOMAS TRACY BOUVE BATTLE OF THE BALTIC by THOMAS CAMPBELL BARNEY'S INVITATION by PHILIP FRENEAU ON THE MEMORABLE VICTORY OF PAUL JONES by PHILIP FRENEAU CASABIANCA by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS THE CUMBERLAND [MARCH 8, 1862] by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW A UTILITARIAN VIEW OF THE MONITOR'S FIGHT by HERMAN MELVILLE AN ANCIENT PROPHECY by PHILIP FRENEAU |
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