About the author
Frank Moore was a journalist and Revolutionary historian. He published a number of books on the American Revolution during his career in the mid-19th century, including Songs and Ballads of the American Revolution, Diary of the American Revolution and The Patriot Preachers of the American Revolution.
The following bold lines are taken from the “Craftsman, or Say’s British Journal.” The American newspapers, both loyal and whig, generally republished them.
To Britain
BLUSH Britain ! blush at thy inglorious war,
This civil contest, this ignoble jar;
Think how unjustly you’ve begun the fray,
With cruel measures rous’d America.
To arms: each swain must leave the peaceful field,
And ‘gainst his brethren lift the sword and shield.
Their spacious commerce, now in ruin lies,
And thro’ their land the hostile standard flies.
Britain, what laurel canst thou hope to gain ?
Can any action give a hero fame ?
In brother’s blood our soldiers’ hands imbru’d,
And barb’rous hostiles by our chiefs pursu’d.
Afflicting Britain, thus to spoil thy name,
Defeat’s a scandal, conquest but a shame.
Our senators all lost in dire excess,
Lovers of pleasure, luxury, and dress.
Almighty ruler, stretch thy potent hand,
And o’er Britannia wave the olive wand;
Preserve our nation from th’ impending fate,
Drive clouds of Scotchmen from the British state;
Fair peace descend, with all thy prosp’rous train,
And spread thy blessings o’er our spacious plain.
