But still, when he dies, let it never be said That he rests in his grave with no verse at his head; But furnish, ye poets, some short epitaph, And something like this, that readers may laugh: Here _lies_ a King's Printer, we needn't say who: There is reason to think that he tells what is true: But if he _lies_ here, 'tis not over-strange, His present position is but a small change, So, reader, pass on--'tis a folly to sigh, For all his life long he did little but _lie_. [153] The first trace that I can find of this poem is in the 1786 edition, where it is signed, "Written _April, 1782_." On June 5, 1782, Freneau printed the following in the Journal: "Formidable, between Guadaloupe and Monpenat, April 14, 1782. "Sir: I am this moment favoured with your excellency's letter, and have the happiness to acquaint you that after having had a partial engagement with the enemy on the 9th, wherein 16 of my rear were prevented by calms from joining in the action, on the 12th I had the good fortune to bring them to a general action, which lasted from seven o'clock in the morning until half-past six in the afternoon, without a moment's intermission. Count de Grasse, with the _Ville de Paris_ and four other ships of the line and one sunk, graced the victory. The remainder of their fleet was so miserably shattered and their loss of men so very great from their having their whole army consisting of 5,500 men on board the ships of war, that I am convinced it will be almost impossible to put them in a condition for service for some considerable time. I am hastening with my whole fleet, etc. G. B. RODNEY." Freneau's early doubts as to this victory, which was loudly proclaimed in the _Royal Gazette_, is evidenced not only by the poem, but by the following comment on Rodney's letter: "The unskilful forger of Sir George Rodney's letter, which is pretended to have been wafted from Jamaica to Savannah and thence to Charleston, exhibits Sir George not as a British admiral, but as a saucy upstart.... To comment on this absurd forgery would be nugatory." [154] "For that was enough."--_Ed. 1786._ BARNEY'S INVITATION[155] Come all ye lads who know no fear, To wealth and honor with me steer In the _Hyder Ali_ privateer, Commanded by brave Barney. She's new and true, and tight and sound, Well rigged aloft, and all well found-- Come away and be with laurel crowned, Away--and leave your lasses. Accept our terms without delay, And make your fortunes while you may, Such offers are not every day In the power of the jolly sailor. Success and fame attend the brave, But death the coward and the slave, Who fears to plow the Atlantic wave, To seek the bold invaders.