A LORD, the owner of a neighb'ring seat, Unmarried;--fond of what was nice and neat, Without attachment, and devoid of care, Save something new to meet among the FAIR; Grew tired of those he long around had viewed, Now constantly, in thought, our belle pursued. He'd money, friends, and credit all his days, And could two thousand men at pleasure raise: One charming morn, together these he brought; Said he, brave fellows, can it well be thought, That we allow a pirate, (dire disgrace!) To plunder as he likes before our face, And make a slave of one whose form 's divine? Let's to the castle, such is my design, And from the ruffian liberate the fair; This evening ev'ry one will here repair, Well armed, and then in silence we'll proceed, (By night 'tis nothing will impede,) And ere Aurora peeps, perform the task; The only booty that I mean to ask Is this fair dame; but not a slave to make, I anxiously desire to let her take Whate'er is her's:--restore her honour too; All other things I freely leave to you; Men, horses, baggage, in a word, the whole Of what the knavish rascals now control. Another thing, howe'er:--I wish to hang The pirate instantly, before his gang. THIS speech so well succeeded to inspire, That scarcely could the men retain their ire. THE evening came, the party soon arrived; They ate not much, but drink their rage revived. By such expensive treats we've armies known, In Germany and Flanders overthrown; And our commander was of this aware 'Twas prudent, surely, no expense to spare. THEY carried ladders for the escalade, And each was furnished with a tempered blade; No other thing embarrassing they'd got; No drums; but all was silent as the grot. THEY reached the house when nearly break of day, The time old Morpheus' slumbers often weigh; The gang, with few exceptions, (then asleep), Were sent, their vigils with grim death to keep.