English poem
VERSES written for Mr. Hogarth's Prints of France and England. 1756
by David Garrick (1717–1779)
With lanthorn jaws and croaking gut, See how the half-starv'd Frenchmen strut, And call us English dogs! But soon we'll teach these bragging foes, That beef and beer give heavier blows Than soup and roasted frogs.
The priests inflam'd with righteous hopes, Prepare their axes, wheels and ropes, To bend the stiff-neck'd finner; But should they sink in coming over, Old Nick may fish 'twixt France and Dover, And catch a glorious dinner.
See John the soldier, Jack the tar, With sword and pistol arm'd for war, Should Monsieur dare come here! The hungry slaves have smelt our food, They long to taste our flesh and blood, Old England's beef and beer!
Britons to arms! and let 'em come, Be you but Britons still, strike home, And lion-like attack 'em; No power can stand the deadly stroke That's given from hands and hearts of oak, With liberty to back 'em.
More by David Garrick
- Upon Mr. MASON's taking Orders. 1754
- Upon seeing Mr. Taylor's Pictures of Bath, and hearing a Connoisseur swear that "they were finely painted for…
- VERSES on Mr. B— moving to clear the Gallery of the House of Commons when Mr. Garrick was present
- VERSES sent to Sir GEORGE LYTTELTON, on his asking Mr. Garrick if he did not intend being in Parliament. 1755
- VERSES written in a Book, called, Fables for the Female Sex, by Edward Moore
- Verses written in Sylvia's PRIOR
- Written at Hampton, Dec. 20, 1765, in Mr. Colman's Translation of TERENCE