England's Triumph at Sea (1691)

A mighty great fleet, the like was ne're seen
Since the reign of King William and Mary his Queen,
Designed the destruction of France to have been :
Which nobody can deny.

This fleet was compos'd of English and Dutch,
For ships, guns, and men there was never seen such ;
Nor so little done, when expected so much:
Which nobody can deny.

Eighty-six ships of war, which we capitall call,
Besides frigats and tenders, and yachts that are small,
Sayl'd out, and did little or nothing at all:
Which nobody can deny.

Thirty-nine thousand and five hundred brave men,
Had they chanc'd to have met the French fleet, O then,
As they beat 'em last year, they'd have beat 'em agen :
Which nobody can deny.

Six thousand great guns, and seventy-eight more,
As great and as good as ever did roar;
It had been the same thing had they left 'em ashore
Which nobody can deny.

Torrington now must command Jem no more,
For we try'd what mettal he was made on before,
And 'tis better for him on land for to whore,
Which nobody can deny.

For a bullet, perhaps, from a rude cannon's breach,
Which makes no distinction betwixt poor and rich,
Instead of his dog might have ta'ne off his bitch,
Which nobody can deny.

But Russell, the cherry-cheekt Russell, is chose
His fine self and his fleet at sea to expose ;
But he will take care how he meets with his foes,
Which nobody can deny.

For there was a lady he left on land,
To whom he had promised his heart and his hand,
Though in her youth she was otherwise mann'd,
Which nobody can deny.

And why plump Russell who need never beg,
To move our compassion, goe venture a leg,
And break the heart of the good Lady Peg,
Which nobody can deny.

We had sea-collonells o' th' nature of otter,
Which either might serve by land or by water,
Tho' of what they have done we hear no great matter,
Which nobody can deny.

In the month of May last they sailed on the main,
And now in September are come back again,
With the loss of some ships, but in battle none slain,
Which nobody can deny.