Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/591

The soldier flew, the sailor too,

And scar'd almost to death, sir,

Wore out their shoes, to spread the news,

And ran till out of breath, sir.

 

Now up and down throughout the town,

Most frantic scenes were acted ;

And some ran here, and others there,

Like men almost distracted.

 

Some fire cry'd, which some denied,

But said the earth had quaked ;

And girls and boys, with hideous noise,

Ran thro' the streets half naked.

 

Sir William he, snug as a flea,

Lay all this time a snoring,

Nor dream'd of harm as he lay warm,

In bed with Mrs. L——g.

 

Now in a fright, he starts upright,

Awak'd by such a clatter ;

He rubs both eyes, and boldly cries,

For God's sake, what's the matter?

 

At his bed-side he then espy'd,

Sir Erskine at command, sir,

Upon one foot, he had one boot,

And th' other in his hand, sir.

 

"Arise, arise, sir Erskine cries,

The rebels — more's the pity,

Without a boat are all afloat,

And rang'd before the city.

 

"The motly crew, in vessels new,

With Satan for their guide, sir.

Pack'd up in bags, or wooden kegs,

Come driving down the tide, sir.