Wesley Corpus

Page 8 The generous mob, too brave to martyr Meek citizens who beg for quarter, Or storm the houses mark'd for burning Without a fair, sufficient warning, Seeing the gallant city yield, Th' acknowledg'd masters of the field To all their victims send advice, And scorn to take them by surprize. Canto II. And now from street to street they roam, And ruin spread where'er they come; The tutor'd boys, without dismay, Pursue their work in open day, As lords of the surrender'd town, As hir'd to pull old houses down. Young Allen's fate untaught to fear From men inur'd to massacre, They smile to see the troops draw nigher With no authority to fire, As sent to mark how they go on, And guard them, till their work is done. When nothing can their force resist, Allow'd to do whate'er they list, They next the welcome word obey, And to the prisons march away. A rioter killed in St. George's Fields.6 6William Allen was killed by a soldier while participating in a protest in St. George's field in 1768, calling for the release of John Wilkes from prison. The incident became symbolic of military response to popular uprisings. Page 9 But promise first at morning-light To burn and pillage them at night, Set all the lawful captives free, And make a jail-delivery. A principle of self-compassion, Of self-defence, and preservation, To loose th' opprest, their heart engages, Let the birds fly, and burn the cages, Desp'rate, in case of a defeat, Thus to cut off their last retreat. The keepers warn'd, in time prepare, And send for succour to the mayor. But is the aid they ask refus'd? He only begs to be excus'd "From raising the combustion higher, From pouring oil upon the fire, Provoking a mad multitude, And rashly shedding Christian blood." As lovers at th' appointed hour, True to their word, with wasteful power, Dread executioners of fate They fire the house, and burst the gate, The fortress storm'd, their fellows seize, And with triumphant joy release. Who can describe the mutual greeting Of friends, at such a happy meeting! As brethren and companions dear Redeem'd from bonds and death so near, They gladly their deliv'rers join To carry on th' humane design,