As Jonathan so much desir'd To shine in martial story, D'Estaing with politesse retir'd, To leave him all the glory. He left him what was better yet, At least it was more use, sir, He left him for a quick retreat A very good excuse, sir. To stay, unless he rul'd the sea, He thought would not be right, sir, And Continental troops, said he, On islands should not fight, sir. Another cause with these combin'd To throw him in the dumps, sir, For Clinton's name alarmed his mind, And made him stir his stumps, sir. Lord Howe came up, soon afterwards, with the British fleet, and made a pretence of blockading the French in Boston harbor, but prudently withdrew when he saw the French were ready to put to sea again. The latter abandoned all attempt to coöperate with the Americans and sailed away for the West Indies. RUNNING THE BLOCKADE [September, 1778] When the French fleet lay In Massachusetts bay In that day When the British squadron made Its impudent parade Of blockade; All along and up and down The harbor of the town,-- The brave, proud town That had fought with all its might Its bold, brave fight For the right, To win its way alone And hold and rule its own, Such a groan From the stanch hearts and stout Of the Yankees there went out: But to rout The British lion then Were maddest folly, when One to ten Their gallant allies lay, Scant of powder, day by day In the bay. Chafing thus, impatient, sore, One day along the shore Slowly bore A clipper schooner, worn And rough and forlorn, With its torn Sails fluttering in the air: The British sailors stare At her there, So cool and unafraid. "What! she's running the blockade, The jade!" They all at once roar out, Then--"Damn the Yankee lout!" They shout. Athwart her bows red hot They send a challenge shot; But not An inch to right or left she veers, Straight on and on she steers, Nor hears Challenge or shout, until Rings forth with British will A shrill "Heave to!" Then sharp and short Question and quick retort Make British sport. "What is it that you say,-- Where do I hail from pray, What is my cargo, eh? "My cargo? I'll allow You can hear 'em crowin' now, At the bow. "And I've long-faced gentry too, For passengers and crew, Just a few, "To fatten up, you know, For home use, and a show Of garden sass and so. "And from Taunton town I hail; Good Lord, it was a gale When I set sail!" The British captain laught As he leaned there abaft: "'Tis a harmless craft, "And a harmless fellow too, With his long-faced gentry crew; Let him through," He cried; and a gay "Heave ahead!" Sounded forth, and there sped Down the red