_NEW SONG ON THE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE AMETHYST AND THETIS, ENGLISH AND FRENCH FRIGATES._ (1808) Come, all you valiant heroes that sail upon the sea, Awhile give your attention to what I sing to thee: ’Tis of a famous battle that was fought upon the main, Where our brave British sailors fresh laurels they did gain, Between the _Amethyst_ frigate--thirty-six guns had she, And as brave a crew, my boys, as ever sail’d the sea-- And the _Thetis_, French frigate of fifty guns; I do declare, Such a hard engagement has not been known for many a year. At seven in the evening the battle it begun, And lasted many hours before that it was done. Great numbers there was wounded, a many too was slain, While the blood from off the decks did change the watery main. Three hours and twenty minutes we held this dreadful fray, We lasht her fast unto us, she could not get away; Many times they tried to board us, but we drove them back so fast-- Altho’ they was so numerous, we made them yield at last. Then down she haul’d her colours, no longer could she fight; Our British tars they gave three cheers all at this noble sight. We took possession of her without any more delay, And sent her into Plymouth Sound then, my boys, straightway. Great store of artillery, ammunition too likewise, One thousand barrels of flour to our tars became a prize. She was bound out to Martinico, the truth I do declare, But in the night we met her and stopped her career. So now to conclude and to finish my song, Success to our noble tars that to the seas belong. Here is a health to Captain Seymour and all his valiant men! Whene’er they meet their enemies may they serve them so again. _A NEW SONG ON THE SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT OF DESTROYING THE FRENCH FLEET IN BASQUE ROADS ON THE 11th APRIL 1809._ Come, all you valiant Britons of every degree, Attend a few minutes, and listen unto me Concerning our brave sailors that sailed on the main, With courage so bold fresh laurels they did gain. _Success to our sailors that sail on the sea, Who with Cockrane undaunted, whenever they’ve wanted, They’ll fight till they die, or gain the victory._ It was in Basque Roads the fleet they did lay, At the sight of our shipping fill’d them with dismay, They skulk’d near the shore like cowardly curs, And dare not come out to face our brave British tars _So success, etc._ In the month of April, mind what I say, We resolv’d to try this fleet to destroy: We gave them three cheers before we set to, And galled them so sorely we made them cry ‘Morbleu!’ _So success, etc._