33 COLUMBIAD.
ConfusVl tbey ftood in filent dread fa rpriie, Their fenfes doubt the goodnefs of their eyes. Loud broken Tnarmurs then were heard afar, And this the language of each Britifti tar :
'^ What f are we foil'd by this finali feeble force? A paltry fort retards cur headlong courfe I A £eet well niann'd, with heavy metal Itor'd, Our admiral a famous Britifh lord? Yon feveniy- fours the terror of the main, Now keep aloof;, — regardlefs of their fame! Thefe Hcvjes have got the- name of fij^hiing fellows, Mere wind and pulF — juit lil:e our cook's old bellows! Where's now ihe fpirit of immortal Drake? Who made the Spanifii forts and caftles fnake? Forts far fuperior in firength and fize To this old hen-coop! — a mere trap for flies!
Thus grumbled they withhoneft anguifli torn. While down the ti^'-e the HiatteredM fliips were borne : At length grown weary of the dangerous poll, The gallant few regain the Jerfey coait : But not till perils of gigantic fize, Of llrength fuperior, ftruck their wond'ring eyes; I Then gallant Si'uth* by all his foes admir'd, ^ The guns difmantled, and the buildinos fir'd, V Then with his little band fecure retir'd. )
CANTO IX.
j7^ OW while great Waihif!gto?j with watchful care. Conducted all the dreadful fcenes of wars
- Cen. Smith of Maryland.
