Wesley Corpus

Volume 5 (1782):167 A Motion of the Minority.33 Agreed! Let it be as the patriots hope, To their friends let us give all America up: Let the rebels be lords, and the loyalists swing, For loving old England, and serving their king: Be the Westerly Isles the next easy prize, Which Geneva34 bestows on her Popish allies: The East Indies must then unavoidably fall, And dominion at sea be transferr'd to the Gaul. Here's an end of the story, and end of the dance, By Great Britain becoming a province to France! 33Appears in MS Patriotism, 46. Frank Baker suggests (Representative Verse, 347) that it may be in reference to a vote in the House of Commons on February 22, 1782, urging the king not to prosecute the war against the colonists in North America, seeking peace instead. The motion lost by one vote. 34MS Patriotism reads "congress" for "Geneva." Volume 5 (1782): 500-502 Written on a Late Declaration of Lord C ,35 that the Conquest of America by Fire and Sword is not to be Accomplished.36 True is the patriotic word, "We never can by fire and sword The fierce Americans subdue;" If we our gen'ral's steps pursue, His own allies who tears and rends, And turns his sword against his friends. The loyal if he first invite37 For Britain and its king to fight, Promise to succour and protect; He then abandons to neglect, Or draws them in an easy prey, For their invet'rate foes to slay. Poor, credulous slaves if he allure, By flatt'ring hopes of refuge sure, Their cruel tyrants to desert; He then with an unfeeling heart Leaves them, who on his faith rely, By hunger, or disease to die. Thousands, who unconsum'd remain, He drives out of his camp again; (While trusting in his treach'rous words,) Gives up the victims to their lords, To punish in the ling'ring fire, By vari'd torments to expire. Such faithful leaders we allow, Fit to succeed immortal Howe,38 Who fierce Americans subdu'd, And conquer'd them whene'er he would; Too gen'rous to pursue his blow, Or trample on a vanquish'd foe. His vanquish'd foe full oft he rear'd, 35Charles, Earl Cornwallis (1738-1805). 36Appears in MS Patriotism (drafts), 47-49; and MS Patriotism, 47-49. 37MS Patriotism adds a note: "At Hillsborough." 38Lieutenant General Sir William Howe (1729-1814).