While all the tribes in Neptune's spacious hall, Shall stand astonish'd at the cannon ball; To see such hail-stones down among them fall. Some of their tribes perhaps are killed dead, And others in a vast amazement fled, While Neptune stands aghast and scratch's his head. My roving muse the surface reach again, Search every part of the Atlantic plain, And see if any Gallics yet remain; And if they do, let British cannon roar; And let thy thunders reach the western shore. While I shall strive to rouse her sons once more. STEPHEN TILDEN. Active hostilities began early in 1755. On February 20 General Edward Braddock landed at Hampton, Va., and proceeded at once to organize an expedition to march against Fort Duquesne. George Washington, who had already had some bitter experience with the French, was made one of his aides-de-camp. On May 29 the army, with an immense wagon train, began its long journey across the mountains. THE SONG OF BRADDOCK'S MEN [May 29, 1755] To arms, to arms! my jolly grenadiers! Hark, how the drums do roll it along! To horse, to horse, with valiant good cheer; We'll meet our proud foe before it is long. Let not your courage fail you; Be valiant, stout and bold; And it will soon avail you, My loyal hearts of gold. Huzzah, my valiant countrymen! again I say huzzah! 'Tis nobly done,--the day's our own,--huzzah, huzzah! March on, march on, brave Braddock leads the foremost; The battle is begun as you may fairly see. Stand firm, be bold, and it will soon be over; We'll soon gain the field from our proud enemy. A squadron now appears, my boys; If that they do but stand! Boys, never fear, be sure you mind The word of command! Huzzah, my valiant countrymen! again I say huzzah! 'Tis nobly done,--the day's our own,--huzzah, huzzah! See how, see how, they break and fly before us! See how they are scattered all over the plain! Now, now--now, now our country will adore us! In peace and in triumph, boys, when we return again! Then laurels shall our glory crown For all our actions told: The hills shall echo all around, My loyal hearts of gold. Huzzah, my valiant countrymen! again I say huzzah! 'Tis nobly done,--the day's our own,--huzzah, huzzah!