Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE FATE OF JOHN [OR JACK] BURGOYNE, by ANONYMOUS First Line: When jack the king's commander Last Line: And be the fate of all her foes / the same as here recorded Subject(s): "american Revolution;burgoyne, John (1722-1792);saratoga Campaign (1777); | ||||||||
WHEN Jack the King's commander Was going to his duty, Through all the crowd he smiled and bowed To every blooming beauty. The city rung with feats he'd done In Portugal and Flanders, And all the town thought he'd be crowned The first of Alexanders. To Hampton Court he first repairs To kiss great George's hand, sirs; Then to harangue on state affairs Before he left the land, sirs. The "Lower House" sat mute as mouse To hear his grand oration; And "all the peers," with loudest cheers, Proclaimed him to the nation. Then off he went to Canada, Next to Ticonderoga, And quitting those away he goes Straightway to Saratoga. With great parade his march he made To gain his wished-for station, While far and wide his minions hied To spread his "Proclamation." To such as stayed he offers made Of "pardon on submission; But savage bands should waste the lands Of all in opposition." But ah, the cruel fates of war! This boasted son of Britain, When mounting his triumphal car, With sudden fear was smitten. The sons of Freedom gathered round, His hostile bands confounded, And when they'd fain have turned their back They found themselves surrounded! In vain they fought, in vain they fled; Their chief, humane and tender, To save the rest soon thought it best His forces to surrender. Brave St. Clair, when he first retired, Knew what the fates portended; And Arnold and heroic Gates His conduct have defended. Thus may America's brave sons With honor be rewarded, And be the fate of all her foes The same as here recorded. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SITTING BULL IN SERBIA by WILLIAM JAY SMITH TO THE EXCELLENT ORINDA by PHILO PHILIPPA EPIGRAM OCCASIONED BY CIBBER'S VERSES IN PRAISE OF NASH: 1 by ALEXANDER POPE THE GIFT OF THE GODS by JOHN GODFREY SAXE TO CHRISTOPHER NORTH by ALFRED TENNYSON BEAU NASH by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER BEAU NASH AND THE ROMAN, OR THE TWO ERAS by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER TIS A LITTLE JOURNEY by ANONYMOUS |
|