Our circuit now complete, around the Town,
Ere from this eminence we venture down,
Be pleas'd to look once more t’ward Winson Green,[1]
Where glittering spears, and Martial troops, are seen,
Where splendid Banners, Britain's Arms display,
And Volunteers are rang'd in fair array.
When dangers[2] threat’ned Neptune's favourite Isle,
Ere British bulwarks thunder'd off the Nile,[3]
A warlike band arose, a valiant host,
To guard the fam'd Britannia's sea-girt coast;
Interior Counties, fir’d with ardent zeal,
Pour'd forth their sons, to guard the Common-weal;
Associated Corps, join'd heart and hand,
And Birmingham produc'd a chosen band,
Of Horse[4] and Foot,[5]-to aid their Country's cause,
Protect their King, their Liberty, and Laws.
These are the troops, in training, now you view,
The Horsemen, Scarlet wear, the Foot, True Blue.[6]
- ↑ Mr. Pickering's academy, near Birmingham Heath.
- ↑ When there was a rumour of an intended invasion.
- ↑ Alluding to Nelson's brilliant victory, Aug. 1, 1798.
- ↑ The Loyal Birmingham Light Horse Volunteers, commanded by Capt. Pearson.
- ↑ The Birmingham Loyal Aſsociation, Lord Brooke, Colonel Commandant.
- ↑ The above respectable corps are composed of Gentlemen of the town, who furnish themselves, at their own expence, with elegant cloathing, arms, and accoutrements. They amount to upwards of 500 strong, and have evinced great zeal and attention to the interests of the town, The alacrity and readineſs of the Aſsociation to serve in cases of emergency, or to aſsist in extinguishing fires and protecting property, has often, deservedly, call'd forth the thanks and approbation of the inhabitants.
