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But when shipt to toils and dangers,
Wi' the cauld grund for his bed--
Compassed round wi' faes and strangers,
Soon Will's dreams of fancy fled.
Led to battle's blood-dyed banners
Waving to the widow's moan,
Will saw Glory's boasted honours
End in life's expiring groan.
Round Valenciennes strong walled city,
Thick owre Dunkirk's fatal plain,
Will (though dauntless) saw wi' pity,
Britain's valiant sous lie slain.
Fired by freedom's burning fever,
Gallia's rack Death's slaughtering knell,
Frae the Scheldt to Rhine's deep river,
Britons fought--but Britons fell.
Fell unaided, though cemented
By the faith of friendship's laws;
Fell impitied! unlamented!
Bluiding in a thankless cause.
In the thrang of comrades deeing,
Fighting foremost of them a',
Swith! Fate's winged ball cam fleeing,
And took Willie's leg in twa.
Thrice frae aff the grund he started,
Thrice to stand he strave in vain,
Thrice, as fainting strength departed,
Sighed--and sank 'mid heaps of slain.
