With great parade his march he made To gain his wished-for station. While far and wide his minions hied To spread his “proclamation.” To such as staid he offers made Of “_pardon_ on _submission_; But savage bands should waste the lands Of all in opposition.” But ah, the cruel fates of war! This boasted son of Britain, When mounting his triumphal car With sudden fear was smitten. The sons of Freedom gathered round, His hostile bands confounded, And when they’d fain have turned their back They found themselves surrounded! In vain they fought, in vain they fled, Their chief, humane and tender, To save the rest soon thought it best His forces to surrender. Brave St. Clair when he first retired Knew what the fates portended; And Arnold and heroic Gates His conduct have defended. Thus may America’s brave sons With honor be rewarded, _And be the fate of all her foes_ _The same as here recorded_. ----- [9] The following curious account of the overthrow of Burgoyne at Saratoga, on the 17th of October, 1777, was probably written soon after that memorable event. Here followeth the direful fate Of Burgoyne and his army great Who so proudly did display The terrors of despotic sway. His power and pride and many threats Have been brought low by fort’nate Gates, To bend to the United States. [10] British prisoners by Convention, 2142 Foreigners—by Contra-vention, 2188 Tories sent across the Lake, 1100 Burgoyne and his suite, in state, 12 Sick and wounded, bruised and pounded,} 528 Ne’er so much before confounded,} Prisoners of war before Convention, 400 Deserters come with kind intention, 300 They lost at Bennington’s great battle, } 1220 Where Starke’s glorious arms did rattle,} Killed in September and October, 600 Ta’en by brave Brown,[A] some drunk, some sober, 413 Slain by high-flamed Herkerman[B]} 300 On both flanks, on rear and van, } Indians, suttlers, butchers, drovers,} Enough to crowd large plains all over,} And those whom grim Death did prevent} From fighting against our continent;} 4413 And also those who stole away,} Lest they down their arms should lay,} Abhorring that obnoxious day: } The whole make fourteen thousand men, } 14,000 Who may not with us fight again. }