Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO LAURA, ON THE FRENCH FLEET PARADING BEFORE PLYMOUTH, 1779, by ANN THOMAS First Line: Our ears were stunned with noisy drum Last Line: I'll only say I am thy friend. Subject(s): American Revolution; Fraser, Simon (1726-1782); Navy - France; French Navy | ||||||||
OUR ears were stunned with noisy drum, That beats to arms -- the foe is come! The combined fleets plain did appear, The van, the centre, and the rear; You cannot think what horrid rout, And how the people ran about. For fear my spirits should grow damp, I thought I'd go and view the Camp; And Laura, if you had been there, You'd had no thought of dread or fear; The good old Fraser marched along, Like Hector brave -- Achilles strong; His Royal First Battalion too Looked as brave soldiers ought to do; And Highlanders you there might see With legs quite bare up to their knee; They looked as we are often told Brave Roman warriors did of old; Each County band in armour bright Seemed well disposed the foe to fight. So when I'd seen the martial plain, Contented I went home again; All through the streets the wagons creak, They jumble -- and the dishes break; 'Twill take some time sure to repair The loss sustained in china-ware; Yet that's a loss we may regain, When India ships come home again. But as for me I thought I'd stay, And see the fortune of the day; For, Laura, very well you know I need not fear the plundering foe; I had no money -- had no plate, Nor title-deeds for an estate, So at the last I could but pack, And take my fortune on my back. But when the foe had made this rout, They took one ship -- and so went out; A mighty victory sure was won: An hundred ships have captured one. And now we are from danger free, And all the folks are in high glee, I wonder you so long can stay. We'd such amusements every day; The people from the country tramp To see the manners of the Camp, And when of that they'd had a view, Then they consult our conjurer too; Poor man -- indeed he cannot see, But reads the stars like ABC; He tells them all what will betide, And when each lass shall be a bride; And when the destined youth appears, Describes the very coat he wears; He'd tell her too, if he may prove An object worthy of her love: When these important things they know, Then home again contented go. Laura, if you should longer stay, I think I'll come some holiday; And Jenny call a thousand sluts, Unless she gives me store of nuts; And when I come, I hope her hoard Good red-streaked apples will afford. Laura, I think it's time to end: I'll only say I am thy friend. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A DIALOGUE BETWEEN GEORGE AND FOX by PHILIP FRENEAU RUNNING THE BLOCKADE by NORA PERRY THE ILLUMINATION OF ENGLISH AND FRENCH FLEETS AT PORTSMOUTH by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER THE SHAN VAN VOCHT (THE POOR OLD WOMAN) (1) by ANONYMOUS THE SHAN VAN VOCHT (THE POOR OLD WOMAN) (2) by ANONYMOUS THE BLACK RUNNER by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TEARS IN SLEEP by LOUISE BOGAN |
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