Poems relating to the American Revolution / Philip Freneau ; with an introductory memoir and notes by Evert A. Duyckinck [electronic text]

THE ROYAL ADVENTURER.

PRINCE WILLIAM, of the Brunswick race, To witness George's sad disgrace The royal lad came over, Rebels to kill, by Right Divine — Deriv'd from that illustrious line, The beggars of Hanover.

So many chiefs got broken pates In vanquishing the rebel States, So many nobles fell, That George the third in passion cry'd, "Our royal blood must now be try'd; "'Tis that must break the spell:

"To you (the fat pot-valiant SWINE "To DIGBY said) dear friend of mine, "To you I trust my boy; "The rebel tribes shall quake with fears, "Rebellion die when he appears, "My Tories leap with joy."

So said, so done —the lad was sent, But never reach'd the continent, An island held him fast — Yet there his friends danc'd rigadoons, The Hessians sung, in High Dutch tunes, "Prince William's come at last."

"Prince William comes!" —The Briton cry'd — "Our labours now will be repaid — "Dominion be restored — "Our monarch is in William seen, "He is the image of our queen, "Let William be ador'd!"

The Tories came with long address, With poems groan'd the Royal Press, And all in William's praise — The youth astonish'd look'd about To find their vast dominions out, Then answer'd, in amaze:

"Where all your vast domain can be, "Friends, for my soul I cannot see: "'Tis but an empty name: "Three wasted islands, and a town "In rubbish buried —half burnt down, "Is all that we can claim:

" I am of royal birth, 'tis true, "But what, my sons, can princes do, "No armies to command? "Cornwallis conquer'd and distrest — "Sir Henry Clinton grown a jest — "I curse —and quit the land."

[1782.]

Notes

• Prince William Henry, the third son of George III, afterwards William IV., entered the navy as midshipman at the age of fourteen, in 1779. He sailed in the Prince George, of 98 guns, to Gibraltar, in the course of which cruise he saw some service, under Rodney, in conflict with the Spanish fleet; and it was in this ship, accompanied by Admiral Digby, that he arrived at New York, in September, 1781. He had just completed his sixteenth year. He was ceremoniously welcomed by the Commander-in-chief, Sir Henry Clinton, by Governor Robertson, and "other great officers of the crown, conducted to Commodore Affleck's, where his royal Highness dined, and, in the evening, retired to apartments provided for his accomodation in Wall Street." Soon after his arrival, the Governor, in the name of himself, his Majesty's council, and the inhabitants, presented him with an address overflowing with fulsome expressions of loyalty. "On the report of your coming," was its language, "we felt our obligation to our gracious king for this new and signal proof of his regard. Your royal Highness' appearance augments our gratitude, by improving our idea of the extent of his goodness. Your presence animates every loyal breast. The glow in our own persuades us you are formed to win every heart. A rebellion that grew upon prejudice, should sink at the approach of so fair a representation of the royal virtues. But if a misled faction, not to be vanquished by goodness, persists in the war, every man of spirit will be proud to fight in a cause for which you expose your life." The Prince remained in the city during the winter and the ensuing summer, partaking of the hospitalities of the officers and others, and, during the skating season, enjoying that pastime on the ponds in the vicinity. In March, 1782, there was a plan on foot, originated by Colonel Matthias Ogden, of New Jersey, to "surprise in their quarters and bring off" the Prince and Admiral Digby; but though the scheme had the approval of Washington, who counselled that, if captured, the prisoners should be treated "with all possible respect," nothing appears to have been attempted in the matter. On the 4th of June, the Prince received, as is duly recorded in the Royal Gazette, the congratulations of the Commander-in-chief, with a procession of officers, on occasion of his father's birth-day; and on the 21st of August, his own was celebrated with "the usual felicitations." The Prince was afterwards transferred to the Barfleur, commanded by Sir Samuel Hood, and left the station for the West Indies prior to his return to England, in the summer of 1783.
• 'The glory of our empire wide"Shall now be soon restor'd."

  —ED. 1795.