‘Our good, tried, and brave OLD KING, in the Hour of Danger,’ had made all snug, at least as far as human foresight could act. When the dreaded invasion came, he was to go either to Chelmsford or Dartford; whilst the Queen, with the Royal Family and the treasure, were to go to Worcester, the city whose motto is ‘Civitas in bello, et in pace, fidelis.’ All the stores at Woolwich, including the artillery, were to be sent into the Midlands by means of the Grand Junction Canal; in fact, every precaution was taken that forethought could devise: and there is but little doubt that, had Napoleon made good a landing, he would have had a warmer reception than he expected. Yet what disadvantages they laboured under compared to our days! no Telegraphs, no Railways, no Steam. Of course it may be said that the enemy was in no better position; but still a lucky wind might favour their crossing, and hinder our preventing it. Loyal and patriotic poetry abounded; here is a specimen:-- THE VOICE OF THE BRITISH ISLES. TUNE--‘_Hearts of Oak._’ Away, my brave boys, haste away to the shore; Our foes, the base French, boast they’re straight coming o’er, To murder, and plunder, and ravish, and burn-- Let them come--we’ll take care they shall never return; For around all our shores, hark! the notes loudly ring, United, we’re ready, Steady, boys, steady, To fight for our Liberty, Laws, and our King. They boast in the dark they will give us the slip: The attempt may procure them a dangerous dip; Our bold Tars are watching in Ocean’s green lap, To give them a long _Jacobinical_ nap.[76] But should they steal over, with one voice we’ll sing, United, we’re ready, &c. They knew, that united, we sons of the waves Would ne’er bow to Frenchmen, nor grovel like Slaves; So ere they dare venture to touch on our strand, They sent black Sedition to poison our land. But around all our shores let the notes loudly ring, United, we’re ready, &c. They swore we were slaves, all lost and undone; That a Jacobine nostrum, as sure as a gun, Would make us all equal, and happy, and free; ’Twas only to dance round their Liberty’s tree. No, no! round our shores let the notes loudly ring, United, we’re ready, &c. ’Twas only to grant them the kiss call’d fraternal-- A kiss which all Europe has found most infernal; And then they maintained the effect could not miss-- We should all be as blest as the Dutch and the Swiss. No, no! round our shores let the notes loudly ring, United, we’re ready, &c.