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Home  »  A Library of American Literature  »  A New Song

Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889

A New Song

By Revolutionary Songs and Ballads

[Published in the Pennsylvania Packet. 1773.]

AS near beauteous Boston lying,

On the gently swelling flood,

Without jack or pendant flying,

Three ill-fated tea-ships rode;

Just as glorious Sol was setting,

On the wharf a numerous crew,

Sons of freedom fear forgetting,

Suddenly appeared in view.

Armed with hammers, axe and chisels,

Weapons new for warlike deed,

Toward the herbage-freighted vessels

They approached with dreadful speed.

O’er their heads aloft in mid-sky,

Three bright angel forms were seen;

This was Hampden, that was Sidney,

With fair Liberty between.

“Soon,” they cried, “your foes you’ll banish,

Soon the triumph shall be won;

Scarce shall setting Phœbus vanish

Ere the deathless deed be done.”

Quick as thought the ships were boarded,

Hatches burst and chests displayed;

Axes, hammers, help afforded;

What a glorious crash they made.

Squash into the deep descended

Cursed weed of China’s coast;

Thus at once our fears were ended;

British rights shall ne’er be lost.

Captains! once more hoist your streamers,

Spread your sails and plough the wave;

Tell your masters they were dreamers

When they thought to cheat the brave.