Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PAUL JONES (2), by ANONYMOUS First Line: An american frigate from baltimore came Last Line: "we'll drink to brave paul jones, who, with sword in hand, / shone foremost in action, and gave us c Subject(s): "jones, John Paul (1747-1792);sea Battles;" Naval Warfare | ||||||||
AN American frigate from Baltimore came, Her guns mounted forty, the Richard by name; Went to cruise in the channel of old England, With a noble commander, Paul Jones was the man. We had not sail'd long before we did espy A large forty-four, and a twenty close by: These two warlike ships, full laden with store, Our captain pursued to the bold Yorkshire shore. At the hour of twelve, Pierce came alongside. With a loud speaking-trumpet, "Whence came you?" he cried; "Quick give me an answer, I hail'd you before, Or this very instant a broadside I'll pour." Paul Jones he exclaimed, "My brave boys, we'll not run: Let every brave seaman stand close to his gun;" When a broadside was fired by these brave Englishmen, We bold buckskin heroes return'd it again. We fought them five glasses, five glasses most hot, Till fifty brave seamen lay dead on the spot, And full seventy more lay bleeding in their gore, Whilst Pierce's loud cannon on the Richard did roar. Our gunner, affrighted, unto Paul Jones he came, "Our ship is a-sinking, likewise in a flame;" Paul Jones he replied, in the height of his pride, "If we can do no better, we'll sink alongside." At length our shot flew so quick, they could not stand: The flag of proud Britain was forced to come down, The Alliance bore down and the Richard did rake, Which caused the heart of Richard to ache. Come now, my brave buckskin, we've taken a prize, A large forty-four, and a twenty likewise; They are both noble vessels, well laden with store! We will toss off the can to our country once more. God help the poor widows, who shortly must weep For the loss of their husbands, now sunk in the deep! We'll drink to brave Paul Jones, who, with sword in hand, Shone foremost in action, and gave us command. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...KEARSARGE AND ALABAMA by ANONYMOUS THE CONSTITUTION AND THE GUERRIERE (4) by ANONYMOUS TIS A LITTLE JOURNEY by ANONYMOUS "'TIS MIDNIGHT, AND THE SETTING SUN" by ANONYMOUS "'TWAS ROLLOG, AND THE MINIM POTES" by ANONYMOUS 1648 : FOR COSSACKS by ANONYMOUS A CHERRY YEAR / A MERRY YEAR by ANONYMOUS A COMET FROM THE RHYMERS' CLUB AFAR by ANONYMOUS "A FOX, A FOX, UP GALLANTS TO THE FIELDS" by ANONYMOUS |
|