[157] First published in the _Freeman's Journal_ May 8, 1782, with the following introduction:
"Reading Capt. Barney's late gallant exploit in your and other newspapers, I could not restrain myself from scribbling the few following stanzas relative to that affair and descriptive not of what was really said or done in the most minute particulars but of what might be supposed to have passed in similar circumstances. Yours, RUSTICUS.
"To the Tune of the Tempest or Hosier's Ghost."
The omission of this stirring lyric from the edition of 1795 I can ascribe only to accident.
The dog that is beat has a right to complain-- Sir Harry returns a disconsolate man, To the face of his master, the Lord's[159] oil-anointed, To the country provided for thieves disappointed.
Our freedom, he thought, to a tyrant must fall, He concluded the weakest must go to the wall; The more he was flattered, the bolder he grew-- He quitted the old world to conquer the new.
But in spite of the deeds he has done in his garrison, (And they have been curious beyond all comparison) He now must go home, at the call of his king, To answer the charges that Arnold may bring.
But what are the acts that this chief has atchieved?-- If good, it is hard he should now be aggrieved, And the more, as he fought for his national glory, Nor valued, a farthing, the right of the story.
This famous great man, and two birds[A] of his feather, In the _Cerberus_ frigate came over together; But of all the bold chiefs that re-measure the trip, Not two have been known to return in one ship.[160]
[A] Generals Howe and Burgoyne.--_Freneau's note._
Like children that wrestle and scuffle in sport, They are very well pleased as long as unhurt, But a thump on the nose, or a blow in the eye, Ends the fray--and they go to their daddy and cry.
Sir Clinton, thy deeds have been mighty and many, You said all our paper was not worth a penny, ('Tis nothing but rags,[B] quoth honest Will Tryon, Are rags to discourage the Sons of the Lion?)
[B] See his Letters to Gen. Parsons.--_Freneau's note._
But Clinton thought thus--"It is folly to fight, "When things may by easier methods come right, "There is such an art as counterfeit-ation-- "And I'll do my utmost to honour our nation;
