Let it ne’er be said that English boys Should e’er stay behind when their admiral goes; But let each honest lad crie with one voice, ‘Brave Russel, lead us on to fight the foes.’ We’ll give them gun for gun, some sink and other burn. Broad-sides we’ll give ’em too, till Monsieur crys, ‘Morblew! Des Engleteer vill kill us all.’ Whilst they scower we will pour Thick as hail amongst them cannon-ball. _A MERRY NEW BALLAD ON THE GREAT VICTORY OVER THE FRENCH FLEET, MAY THE 19th 1692._ To as merry a new Tune, _Hey! for the honour of Old England_. I sing ye a ballad as round me ye stand, Which is for the honour of Old England: _Old England, Old England; Which is for the honour of Old England_. In the month of May, the year ninety-two, The Englishman did his old valour show: _Old England, Old England, etc._ We sent out our scouts the foe to descry When Cape de Hague we were sailing by _Old England, etc._ This was a good omen, we now understand, And Lewis hates Hague by sea or by land: _Old England, etc._ But in our Channel the battel was fought, And so the French fleet in a net was caught, _Net was caught, net was caught; And so the French fleet in a net was caught_. Yet Monsieur, expecting that all was his own, On Admirall Russell did boldly bear down: _Old England, etc._ He gave a broad-side, which was kindly took, And then the _Britannia_ in thunder spoke, _Thunder spoke, thunder spoke, And then the ‘Britannia’ in thunder spoke_. Till in musquet shot she fires no gun, In compliment then salutes the French _Sun_, _Old England, etc._ And warms her sides so that for all her might She fairly tows off, and bids us good night: _Old England, etc._ Thus have we been taught in a tale or old song, French fury was never known to last long: _Old England, etc._ When Tourville had given the signal to flye, His squadrons, as ready, do westward, ho! ply: _Old England, etc._ Some of his lame geese, not able to bear Their heads above water, to the bottom they steer: _Old England, etc._ The rest we pursue in their stragling flight, And chase the poltrons most part of the night: _Old England, Old England, And hey! for the honour of Old England_. The next morning was foggy; but when it grew clear The chase was renew’d, and so was their fear: _Old England, etc._ We made all our sail, and gave ’em no rest. From point to point drove ’em, from west to east: _Old England, etc._ Those coursers, so brisk at the starting-place, Run heavily now through Alderney Race: _Old England, etc._ Into Cherburgh Bay three tall ones did run, Where a northern blaze burns up the south _Sun_: _Old England, etc._