AN ENGLISH BALLAD ON THE TAKING OF NAMUR BY THE KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, MDCXCV. Dulce est desipere in loco.* I. OME folks are drunk, yet do not know it: Or virgin of St. Cyr, you saw? Why all this fury? What's the matter, That oaks must come from Thrace to dance? Pindar, that eagle, mounts the skies: Where sordid Int'rest shows the prey. 20 This ballad received great alterations after the first edition of it. The taking of Namur by the French in the year 1692, and the retaking it by the English in the year 1695 were considered by each nation as events which contributed to raise the honour and reputation of the respective kingdoms. Both sieges were carried on by the rival monarchs in person, and the success of each was celebrated by the best writers of the times. It may be doubted whether there ever was a burlesque more agreeably or happily executed than this by our excellent countryman. III. Neptune and Sol came from above, Shap'd like Megrigny and Vauban: * They arm'd these rocks: then show'd old Jove Such walls, these three wise gods agreed, Of gods, as well as men, mistaken. But ne'er can William's force restrain: IV. Full fifteen thousand lusty fellows With fire and sword the fort maintain ; Each was a Hercules, you tell us, Yet out they march'd like common men. Cannons above, and mines below, Did death and tombs for foes contrive: Yet matters have been order'd so, That most of us are still alive. V. If Namur be compar'd to Troy; Then Britain's boys excell'd the Greeks: Their siege did ten long years employ; We've done our bus'ness in ten weeks. • Two celebrated engineers. 30 4C In the year 1690, notwithstanding numberless difficul. ties, this famous passage of the river brought on a general engagement, which entirely destroyed the power of King James, and put an end to every hope of success, which he ha before entertained from his expedition to Ireland. Quelle effroyable Puissance Ou c'est le vainqueur de Mons. VI. N'en doute point: c'est luy-mesme. VII. Plein de la frayeur nouvelle, What godhead does so fast advance, With dreadful power those hills to gain? 'Tis little Will, the scourge of France; No Godhead, but the first of men. And that same Jupiter no more 50 Shall fright the world with impious thunder. VI. Our king thus trembles at Namur, Whilst Villeroy, who ne'er afraid is,† To Bruxelles marches on secure, To bomb the monks and scare the ladies. After this glorious expedition, One battle makes the marshal great: He must perform the king's commission: Who knows, but Orange may retreat? Kings are allow'd to feign the gout, Or be prevail'd with not to fight: And mighty Louis hop'd, no doubt, That William would preserve that right. VII. From Seine and Loire, to Rhone and Po, See every mother's son appear: In such a case ne'er blame a foe, 60 70 * Mons surrendered to Louis XIV. 10th April, 1691. While King William was carrying on the siege of Namur, Marshal Villeroy, in order to compel him to relinquish that design, marched to Brussels and bombarded that town. |