Let them reason on the fact Who would rather think than act-- Their brains were not with morals rack'd Who mann'd the prince of Neufchatel.
Having play'd a lucky game, Homeward, with her treasure, came This privateer of gallant fame, Call'd the prince of Neufchatel.
Are the english cruisers near? Do they on the coast appear To molest this privateer?-- --She shall be defended well.
Soon a frigate hove in sight:-- As the wind was rather light, She, five barges, out of spite, Sent, to attack, with gun and blade.
On our decks stood rugged men, Little more than three times ten; And I tremble, while my pen Tells the havoc that was made.
Up they came, with colors red, One a stern, and one a head-- Shall I tell you what they said?-- Yankees! strike the buntin rag!
Three were ranged on either side-- Then the ports were open'd wide, And the sea with blood was dyed; Ruin to the english flag!
Now the angry cannons roar, Now they hurl the storm of war, Now in floods of human gore Swam the prince of Neufchatel!
Then the captain, Ordonneaux, Seconded the seaman's blow, And the remnant of the foe Own'd the brig defended well.
For the million she contain'd He contended, sword in hand, Follow'd by as brave a band Of tars, as ever, trod a deck.
In these bloody barges, five, Scarce a man was left alive, And about the seas they drive; Some were sunk, and some a wreck.
Every effort that they made With boarding pike, or carronade, Every effort was repaid, Scarcely with a parallel!
Fortune, thus, upon the wave, Crown'd the valor of the brave:-- Little lost, and much to save, Had the prince of Neufchatel.
[210] Of the numerous vessels fitted out during the war by private parties to prey on British commerce the Prince de Neufchatel was doubtless the most successful.
A Pine Forest Picture--on a Training Day.
----Invictaque bello Dextera! non illi se quisquam impune tulisset Obvius armato---- _Virg._
The drum was beat, the flag display'd, The soldiers met upon parade, And all for action ready made With loud huzza!
When forth a stately figure strode, Of stature such, of such a mode, As those who lived before the flood, If stuff'd with straw.
His vigor seem'd by years unbroke; But then his phiz had such a look, As if preserved in Etna's smoke For half an age.