182. "The Lords of the Main" (1780)
BY JOSEPH STANSBURY
Stansbury was the ablest and most effective of the loyalist verse writers. He came to Philadelphia in 1767, and remained till 1778, when he went with the British to New York. The piece suggests the confidence of the British in their navy. — Bibliography : Tyler, Literary History of the Revolution, II, 80-96. — For other extracts on the navy, see No. 177 above and Nos. 194, 204 below.
WHEN Faction, in league with the treacherous Gaul,
Began to look big and paraded in state ;
A meeting was held at Credulity Hall,
And Echo proclaim'd their Ally good and great !
By sea and by land
Such wonders are plann'd ;
No less than the bold British Lion to chain !
Well hove ! says Jack Lanyard,
French, Congo and Spaniard,
Have at you — remember we're Lords of the Main !
Lords of the Main — aye, Lords of the Main ;
The Tars of Old England are Lords of the Main.
Though party-contention a while may perplex,
And lenity hold us in doubtful suspense ;
If perfidy rouse, or ingratitude vex
In defiance of Hell we'll chastise the offence.
When danger alarms,
'Tis then that in arms
United we rush on the foe with disdain :
And when the storm rages
It only presages
Fresh triumphs to Britons, as Lords of the Main.
Lords of the Main — ay, Lords of the Main —
Let Thunder proclaim it, we're Lords of the Main.
Then Britons, strike home — make sure of your blow :
The chase is in view ; never mind a lee-shore.
With vengeance o'ertake the confederate foe :
'Tis now we may rival our heroes of yore !
Brave Anson and Drake,
Hawke, Russell and Blake,
