Tho' France with caprice dares our Statesmen upbraid, A tribute demands, or sets bounds to our trade; From our young rising Navy our thunders shall roar, And our Commerce extend to the earth's utmost shore. Our cannon we'll ply, While our standard shall fly; Resolved, firm, and steady, We always are ready To fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die. To know we're resolved, let them think on the hour, When Truxton, brave Truxton off Nevis's shore, His ship mann'd for battle, the standard unfurl'd, And at the _Insurgente_ defiance he hurled; And his valiant tars cry, While our standard shall fly, Resolved, firm, and steady, We always are ready To fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die. Each heart beat exulting, inspir'd by the cause; They fought for their country, their freedom and laws; From their cannon loud volleys of vengeance they pour'd, And the standard of France to Columbia was lower'd. Huzza! they now cry, Let the Eagle wave high; Resolved, firm, and steady, We always are ready To fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die. Then raise high the strain, pay the tribute that's due To the fair _Constellation_, and all her brave Crew; Be Truxton revered, and his name be enrolled, 'Mongst the chiefs of the ocean, the heroes of old. Each invader defy, While such heroes are nigh, Who always are ready, Resolved, firm, and steady To fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die. [Illustration] THE "CONSTELLATION" AND THE "INSURGENTE." (Action of 9 February, 1799.) Come all ye Yankee sailors, with swords and pikes advance, 'Tis time to try your courage and humble haughty France, The sons of France our seas invade, Destroy our commerce and our trade, 'Tis time the reckoning should be paid! To brave Yankee boys. On board the _Constellation_, from Baltimore we came, We had a bold commander and Truxton was his name! Our ship she mounted forty guns, And on the main so swiftly runs, To prove to France Columbia's sons Are brave Yankee boys. We sailed to the West Indies in order to annoy The invaders of our commerce, to burn, sink, and destroy; Our _Constellation_ shone so bright, The Frenchmen could not bear the sight, And away they scamper'd in affright, From the brave Yankee boys. 'Twas on the 9th of February, at Montserrat we lay, And there we spy'd the _Insurgente_ just at the break of day, We raised the orange and the blue, To see if they our signals knew, The _Constellation_ and her crew Of brave Yankee boys.