"As in amaze he stood to gaze (The truth can't be denied, sir), He spied a score of kegs, or more, Come floating down the tide, sir. "A sailor, too, in jerkin blue, The strange appearance viewing, First d--d his eyes, in great surprise, Then said, 'Some mischief's brewing. '"These kegs, I'm told, the rebels hold, Pack'd up like pickled herring; And they've come down t' attack the town In this new way of ferry'ng.' "The soldier flew, the sailor too, And, scared almost to death, sir, Wore out their shoes to spread the news, And ran till out of breath, sir. "Now up and down, throughout the town, Most frantic scenes were acted; And some ran here, and others there, Like men almost distracted. "Some fire cried, which some denied, But said the earth had quaked; And girls and boys, with hideous noise, Ran through the streets half naked. "Sir William* he, snug as a flea, Lay all this time a snoring; Nor dream'd of harm as he lay warm In bed with Mrs. L... ngt "Now, in a fright, he starts upright, Awaked by such a clatter; He rubs both eyes, and boldly cries, 'For God's sake, what's the matter?' "At his bed-side he then espied Sir Erskine, at command, sir; Upon one foot he had one boot, And t'other in his hand, sir. "'Arise! arise!' Sir Erskine cries; 'The rebels--more's the pity-- Without a boat, are all afloat, And ranged before the city. '"The motley crew, in vessels new, With Satan for their guide, sir, Pack'd up in bazs, or wooden kegs, Come driving down the tide, sir. "' Therefore prepare for bloody war; These kegs must all be routed; ' Or surely we despised shall be, And British courage doubted.' "The royal band now ready stand, All ranged in dread array, sir, With stomach stout to see it out, And make a bloody day, sir. "The cannons roar from shore to shore; The small-arms loud did rattle; Since wars began I'm sure no man E'er saw so strange a battle. "The rebel dales, the rebel vales, With rebel trees surrounded, The distant woods, the hills and floods. With rebel echoes sounded. "The fish below swam to and fro, Attack'd from every quarter; Why sure (thought they), the devil's to pay 'Mong folk above the water. "The kegs, 'tis said, though strongly made Of rebel staves and hoops, sir, Could not oppose their powerful foes, The conq'ring British troops, sir. "From morn to night, these men of might Display'd amazing courage, And when the sun was fairly down. Retired to sup their porridge.