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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE; FROM TWO OLD VERSIONS OF THE BALLAD, by ANONYMOUS First Line: July the first of a morning fair Last Line: As with blow and shout we put to rout / our enemies over the water Subject(s): "boyne (river), Ireland;boyne, Battle Of The (1690);" Williamite Wars | |||
July the first of a morning fair In sixteen ninety famous, King William did his men prepare To fight with false King Shamus. King James he pitched his tents between The lines for to retire; But King William threw his bomb-balls in And set them all on fire. Thereat revenge the Irish vowed Upon King William's forces, And vehemently with cries did crowd To check their forward courses. A ball from out their batteries flew As our King he faced their fire; His shoulder knot away it shot, Quoth he, "Pray come no nigher!" Then straight his officers he did call, Saying, "Gentlemen, mind your station, And prove your valour one and all Before this Irish nation. My brazen walls let no man break And your subtle foes you'll scatter; Let us show them to-day good English play, As we go over the water." Then horses and foot we marched amain, Resolved their ranks to batter; But th*e brave Duke Schomberg he was slain, As he went over the water. Then King William cried, "Feel no dismay At the losing of one commander, For God shall be our King to-day And I'll be general under." Then stoutly we Boyne river crossed To give the Irish battle; Our cannon to his dreadful cost Like thunder-claps did rattle In majestic mien our Prince rode o'er, The stream ran red with slaughter As with blow and shout we put to rout Our enemies over the water. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest... |
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