The Saphirah [sic] in Triumph ; or, British Valor Display'd

Come you jovial British fellows, listen, pray, to what I write,
Honour jolly English sailors, for their nation they do fight;
It was with courage most undaunted from Port Rhode the Sapphire sail'd,'

By mishap our cable parted, but we soon the Spaniards quell'd.

A full intent to batter Vigo, our full force was only forty guns,
Which to them does plainly show, sir, what courage in the English runs;
With spreading sails we ploughed the ocean, the seas indeed ran mountains high,
Not fearing death to gain promotion, with proud Spain our valour try.

All along their coast we sailed, the wind it blowed very hard;
Our main-top-sail yard it failed, but we it did not regard.
We did soon their harbour enter, they prepared for us were,
And we boldly in did venture without any dread or fear.

As soon as ever we came nigh them they did fire at us first;
We not wanting to pass by them immediately our anchor cast.
And up went our bloody pennant and defy'd their cannon-ball,
We made to run both landlord and tenant, and behind to leave their all.

No quarters from them we requir'd, they did see us boldly bent;
Kill or be kill'd we designed, that indeed was our intent.
Then our cannon roar'd like thunder, sweeter musick who could hear?
They did make our foes to wonder, fill'd their hearts with dread and fear.

Their privateers at anchor lying we did sink before their face;
Women with their children crying from the town did run a-pace.
By us their prison was confounded: to some it proved a happy day;
Such as were not kill'd or wounded took to their heels and run away.

Their nunnery did feel our fury, their blind zeal could not them save;
Some in confusion and great hurry were sent by us to their grave.
About their ears their houses tumbled, which no doubt did grieve them sore ;
Was ever haughty Spain so humbled by one small ship as now before ?

Two thousand shot and more we fir'd at their churches, forts, and town,
It made us laugh till we were tir'd to see their houses tumble down :
Seventeen hundred and forty-four, sir, January the fifteenth day,
That we made the Spaniards rue, sir, our most noble British play.

We had in this bold action one man killed, and no more;
Which I think was enough to vex 'em, they having many in their gore.
Had the day but longer lasted, and our ship not damnify'd,
We'd made them surrender, we protested, or would all have surely dy'd.

We then soon for Lisbon sailed, where we got wine our hearts to cheer.
At Vigo widows their fates bewailed, and curst the time that we came there.
I wish that all our brave commanders, who sail the seas for
Britain's right,
May like bold Holmes prove Alexanders, not fearing death when they do fight.

May he meet with a just treatment from our nation for the same,
For so bold and brave defeatment none but cowards can him blame.
Little Laughton, our third lieutenant, did at that time great valour show;
King and country's bold defendant, beloved by all that does him know.

Bring us wine, let it be sherry, fill the glass up to the brink;
Drown all sorrows and be merry; to our noble captain drink.
Pray God send our royal master George the Second long to reign,
For to meet with no disaster, but the victory always gain.