Of fighting they seem weary, Therefore to work they go Their thousand dead to bury, And breastworks up to throw; With grape and bombs intending Our army to destroy, Or from our works our forces By stratagem decoy. The seventh day of October The British tried again, Shells from their cannon throwing, Which fell on us like rain; To drive us from our stations, That they might thus retreat; For now Burgoyne saw plainly He never could us beat. But vain was his endeavor Our men to terrify; Though death was all around us, Not one of us would fly. But when an hour we'd fought them, And they began to yield, Along our lines the cry ran, "The next blow wins the field!" Great God who guides their battles Whose cause is just and true, Inspired our bold commander The course he should pursue! He ordered Arnold forward, And Brooks to follow on; The enemy was routed! Our liberty was won! Then, burning all their luggage, They fled with haste and fear, Burgoyne with all his forces, To Saratoga did steer; And Gates, our brave commander, Soon after him did hie, Resolving he would take them, Or in the effort die. As we came nigh the village, We overtook the foe; They'd burned each house to ashes, Like all where'er they go. The seventeenth of October, They did capitulate, Burgoyne and his proud army Did we our prisoners make. Now here's a health to Arnold, And our commander Gates, To Lincoln and to Washington, Whom every Tory hates; Likewise unto our Congress, God grant it long to reign; Our Country, Right, and Justice Forever to maintain. Now finished is my story, My song is at an end; The freedom we're enjoying We're ready to defend; For while our cause is righteous, Heaven nerves the soldier's arm, And vain is their endeavor Who strive to do us harm. CHAPTER VII THE SECOND STAGE News of the reverse at Saratoga was received in England with amazement and consternation, and its effect on the government was soon discernible. On February 17, 1778, Lord North astonished the House of Commons by rising in his place and moving that Parliament repeal the tea tax and other measures obnoxious to the Americans, that it renounce forever the right of raising a revenue in America, and that commissioners be sent to Congress, with full powers for negotiating a peace. So complete a political somersault has seldom been turned by an English minister. LORD NORTH'S RECANTATION [February 17, 1778] When North first began With his taxation plan, The Colonies all to supplant, To Britain's true cause, And her liberty, laws, Oh, how did he scorn to recant.