And they're come down t' attack the this new way of ferrying.
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 some ran there
Like men almost distracted.
Some fire cry'd, which some deny'd,
But said the earth had quaked:
And girls and boys, with hideous noise,
Ran through the town half naked,
Sir William he, snug as a flea,
Lay all this time a snoring,
Nor dreamt 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 espi'd
Sir Erskine at command, sir, Upon one foot he had one boot, And t'other in his hand, sir.
Arise! Arise! Sir Erskine cries:
The rebels-more's the pity—
Without a boat are all on float,
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.
Therefore prepare for bloody war;
These KEGs must all be routed:
Or surely we despis'd shall be ;
And British courage doubted.
The royal band now ready stand,
All rang'd in dread array, sir,
With stomach stout, to see it out,
And make a bloody day, sir.
The cannons roar, from shore to shore ; The small arms make a rattle :
Since wars began, I'm sure no man
E'er saw so strange a battle.
The rebel vales, the rebel dales,
With rebel trees surrounded,
The distant woods, the hills, and floods,
With rebel echoes sounded.
The fish below swan to and fro,
Attack'd from ev'ry quarter:
Why sure, thought they, the devil's to 'Mongst folks above the water. [pay,
The KEGS, 'tis said, tho' strongly made,
Of rebel staves and hoops, sir,
Could not oppose their pow'rful foes,
The conq'ring British troops, sir.
From morn to night these men of might
Display'd amazing courage;
And when the sun was fairly down,
Retir'd to sup their porridge.
An hundred men, with each a pen,
Or more upon my word, sir,
It is most true, would be too few,
Their valor to record, sir.
Such feats did they perform that day,
Upon these wicked KEGs, sir;
That years to come if they get home,
They'll make their boasts and brags sir.
March of Montgomery for Canada-Sur-
render of several important posts to the
American Arms The storming of
Quebec and death of Montgomery.
AND now intent on bold enterprize,
Montgomery left serener skies
Which gird the eastern coast;
And rapid march'd at thy command,
To check Ontario's savage band;
And combat Carlton's host.
Oft did the clouds in angry form, Downgroaning mountains lash the storm, Timpede his ardent course;
And boreal, blast, condensing cold,
Athwart the wild their armies roll'd,
To chill life's vital force.
Inur'd in toil, to hardships known,
He rush'd along the frozen zone,
A drear tremendous waste :
Freedom's pure flame his soul inspir'd,
And gallant troops, by glory fir'd,
Prest on, with equal haste.
Whelm'd in the wave, they sought the
[flood, The flint top'd summit mark'd with Or vast morasses scour'd. [blood, Not the deep bog, or faithless fen, Nor snow, wide arching Mammoth's den, Their scatt'ring files o'erpower'd.
At eve benumb'd with torpid cold,
Their limbs the frosted blanket roll'd;
Nor cheering fires to warm:
Whilst round them burst the winds of
[heaven,
And rain, sleet, hail, impetuous driven,
Wing'd one continual storm.
Each rising day fresh toil renew'd,
Close on the rear pale want pursu'd,
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