[Footnote 32: In his letter to Congress (July 26, 1780) concerning this expedition, Washington spoke of the American cannons being "too light to penetrate the logs of which it [the block-house] was constructed." He also attributed the great loss of the Americans in that attack to the "intemperate valor" of the men. André exercised a poetical license in putting these words into the mouth of Wayne before the occurrence.] [Footnote 33: Loyalists expelled from the American lines.] CANTO II. Near his meridian pomp the sun Had journeyed from th' horizon, When fierce the dusky tribe moved on, Of heroes drunk as poison. The sounds confused, of boasting oaths, Re-echoed through the wood: Some vowed to sleep in dead men's clothes, And some to swim in blood. At Irvine's nod, 'twas fine to see The left prepared to fight, The while the drovers, Wayne and Lee Drew off upon the right. Which Irvine 'twas Fame don't relate, Nor can the Muse assist her-- Whether 'twas he that cocks a hat, Or he that gives a glister. For greatly one was signalized, That fought at Chestnut Hill, And Canada immortalized The vender of the pill.[34] Yet the attendance upon Proctor They both might have to boast of; For there was business for the doctor, And hats to be disposed of. Let none uncandidly infer That Stirling wanted spunk, The self-made Peer[35] had sure been there, But that the Peer was drunk. But turn we to the Hudson's banks, Where stood the modest train, With purpose firm, though slender ranks, Nor cared a pin for Wayne. For then the unrelenting hand Of rebel fury drove, And tore from ev'ry genial hand Of friendship and of love. And some within a dungeon's gloom, By mock tribunals laid, Had waited long a cruel doom, Impending o'er their head. Here one bewails a brother's fate, There one a sire demands, Cut off, alas! before their date, By ignominious hands. And silvered grandsires here appeared In deep distress serene, Of reverend manners that declared The better days they'd seen. Oh! cursed rebellion, these are thine, Thine are these tales of woe; Shall at thy dire, insatiate shrine Blood never cease to flow? And now the foe began to lead His forces to the attack; Balls whistling unto balls succeed, And make the block-house crack. No shot could pass, if you will take The gen'ral's word for true;[36] But 'tis a d----le mistake, For ev'ry shot went through. The firmer as the rebels pressed, The loyal heroes stand; Virtue had nerved each honest breast, And industry each hand. In valor's frenzy, Hamilton[37] Rode like a soldier big, And Secretary Harrison[38] With pen stuck in his wig.