English Courage Display'd; or, Brave News from Admiral Vernon

Come loyal Britons all rejoyce with joyful acclamations,
And join with one united voice upon thi just occasion ;
To Admiral Vernon drink a health, likewise to each brave fellow
Who with that noble admiral was at the taking of Porto Bello.

From Jamaica he did sail with Commodore Brown to attend him,
Against the Spaniards to prevail, for which we must commend him,
At Porto Bello he arriv'd where each brave gallant fellow
With Admiral Vernon bravely fought, at the taking Porto Bello.

Two men-of-war of twenty guns, likewise five Guarda Costa's
They in the harbour quickly took, to surrender they were forc'd, sir;
Then the town he summons'd strait, to surrender at his will O,
Which they refusing he did bumbard the town of Porto Bello.

He did bumbard it above two days, and they again return'd it;
The bombs and morters loud did play, he vow'd that he would burn it :
Which when they came to understand, and that he was so brave a fellow
They did surrender out of hand, the town of Porto Bello.

Then with his men he went on shore who strait began to plunder,
'Tis as they serv'd our ships before, and therefore is no wonder.
With plenty of rum and good strong wines, our men did soon get mellow
Then swore that never a house should stand in the town of
Porto Bello.

The governor to the admiral sent and to him made an offer
Of thirty thousand pieces of eight the houses to save did proffer.
Which the admiral did accept with a right and free goodwill O,
And therefore let the houses stand in the town of Porto Bello.

Their Iron Castle he destroy'd, and all their guns he seized.
The Spaniards ne'er was more anoy'd; he did just what he pleased.
The South Sea snow he did release, and many a stout English fellow
Whom they had rob'd upon the seas, and carried into Porto
Bello.

All their brass guns he took away, the iron ones he nailed
And then threw them into the sea, before from thence he sailed,
Many a jolly sailor's pouch was cram'd with white and yellow,
For they from plunder could not be kept in the town of Porto
Bello.

Besides, brave Vernon freely gave amongst his men as follows,
Who bravely did themselves behave, full thirty thousand dollars,
This must their courage animate; each tar is a rich fellow,
And this is good encouragement for the taking Porto Bello.

When he had stayed there nineteen days, with just resentment fir'd,
Their forts demolished and castles rase'd he from them then retired,
But first he to Panama sent for many a gallant fellow,
Who in prison lay confin'd to be brought to Porto Bello.

While trumpets they did loudly sound and colours were displaying,
The prizes he with him brought away while sailors were huzzaing.
And when they to Jamaica come, a glorious tale to tell O
Of the noble action they had done in taking of Porto Bello.

To Admiral Vernon toss off a glass, may heaven protect and defend him,
And when he has the Spaniard thump'd, may a safe return attend him
To Comodore Brown toss another down, and to each gallant fellow
Who did so bravely play their parts at the taking of Porto Bello.