English poem
ON THE AFFAIR BETWEEN THE REBEL GENERALS HOWE AND GADDESDEN, Written at Charlestown
by John André (1750–1780)
It was on Mr. Peroy's land, At Squire Rugeley's corner, Great H and G met, sword in hand, Upon a point of honour. Yankee Doodle, doodle doo, &c.
G went before with Col'nel E Together in a carriage, On horseback followed H and P, As if to steal a marriage.
On chosen ground they now alight, For battle duly harness'd, A shady place, and out of sight, It shew'd they were in earnest.
They met, and in the usual way, With hat in hand saluted, Which was, no doubt, to shew how they Like Gentlemen disputed.
And then they both together made This honest declaration, That they came there—by honor led, But—not by inclination.
That if they fought, 'twas not because Of rancour, spite or passion, But only to obey the laws Of custom and of fashion.
The pistols then, before their eyes, Were fairly prim'd and loaded! H wish'd, and so did G likewise, The custom was exploded!
But as they now had gone so far In such a bloody business, For action straight they both prepare With—mutual forgiveness.
But lest their courage should exceed The bounds of moderation, Between the seconds 'twas agreed To fix them each a station.
The distance stepp'd by Colonel P, 'Twas only eight short paces, Now, gentlemen, says Colonel P; Be sure—to keep your places.
Quoth H to G—Sir, please to fire, Quoth G—no, pray begin, Sir; And, truly, one must needs admire The temper they were in, Sir!
Well fire both at once, said he, And so they both presented; No answer was returned by G, But silence, Sir, consented.
They paus'd awhile, these gallant foes, By turns politely grinning, Till after many cons and pros, H made a brisk beginning.
He miss'd his mark, but not his aim; The shot was well directed; It sav'd them both from hurt and shame; What more could be expected!
Then G, to shew he meant no harm, But hated jars and jangles, His pistol fired, across his arm, From H—almost angles.
H now was call'd upon by G To fire another shot, Sir, He smil'd, and—"after this" quoth he, "No, truly, I cannot, Sir."
Such honour did they both display, They highly were commended; And thus, in short, this gallant fray Without mischance was ended.
No fresh dispute, we may suppose, Will e'er by them be started, For now the Chiefs, no longer foes, Shook hands, and—so they parted.
Yankee doodle, doodle doo, &c.