A New Song on the Engagement Fought Between the Mars and la Hercule [Sic] April 21, 1798
Bright honor now calls—each true Briton attend
Unto these few lines which here I have penn’d.
I sing of a battle that was fought at sea,
The Mars was the British, the French ship Herculé.
Chorus.
Then fill up a glass to each tar stout and good,
Success to each seaman—a tear for brave Hood.
We were cruising off Brest when the French we did spy:
We quickly gave chase, but they from us did fly;
We crouded each sail and gave them a broadside,
Fought them more than two hours and lower’d their pride.
We brought her to England, the flower of France—
Thus, thus may we serve all who dare to advance.
She’s been built but six weeks, and her guns were fourscore,
Whilst the brave little Mars carry’d seventy-four.
Yet see, see Britannia with sorrow is fill’d,
For brave Captain Hood in the action was kill’d;
Likewise the Marines lost their captain so bold,
His name it was White, worth his full weight in gold.
The French lost three hundred, and we lost threescore,
In kill’d and in wounded. Thank God ’twas no more!
Here’s a health to the crew of the brave jolly Mars,
With another full bumper to all jolly tars.