Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-06-22
The Fenian War.
BIZ ROB ROGERS.

The following rather pleasant and readable
versifcation relative to the Fenian invasion
of Canada, we copy from the Boston Daily
Journal of June 9. The poem was origi
nally intended for the FREENAN, but it came
to our knowledge just the paper was
ready for the press, and hence its first ap-
pearance in the Journal. We trust we be-
tray no confidence in saying the author of
the poem is a prominent citizen of Mont
pelier, although heretofore much better
known in the duties of his profession than
as a wooer of the MUSES.
Three children sat quietly eating their dinner
OF hulled corn and milk, when they chanced to
fall out
Renewing quarrel which once hal subsidized,
Though something quite serious, think, y was
about;
But treated most oddly by brave little Teddie,
Who nourished his spoon he threw up his cap,
Saying, Fannie, unless you give back my big
rock horse,
I'll knock Johnny's basin right out of his lap
And so the bold Fenians said to old England,
Go liberate ireland, or, sure as you're born,
Wen march 70 the Province and murder French
man,
W llte LtuflluS MS WtuQulht OF piAnllnE MS CoTl
To these words Of bravado they suited their
BY summoning warriors from near and afar,
Assembling in force at Malone and st. Albans,
With all the grand paraphernala of war.
And there was no lack Of experienced leaders
At Franklin, O'Rely and Spear and O'Neil,
Whilst over the lake the redoubtabIe Gleason
Would measure his sword with Canadian steel.
" Beiad,7 says O'NeiI, as he stood on the border
Bedad, my brave lads" he courageouly said,
d" viii either come back a great eonquering hero,
or else, by the powers, iutirely dead"
Perhaps you have heard Of the famous grasshoPpe-
Which sat SO composedly on the fresh vine
or taelggssssEa sweet potato-when up camo the
And sadlenly ierked him Of feom behind.
Thus Paddy O'Neil had just entered the Province
Had swung his shillalah, declared his design
To die or 60 conQuer-when General Foster
As suddenly jerked him back over the line.
And yet nothing dauuted, they boldly pressed for
ward,
Creating the story which fathers might tell
To their children hereafler-for love Of old Erin
How Fenians fought, and how Fenians fell,
But being reminded Of Hudibras' motto,
That he who, in battle, should chance to be slain
May never fight more; while he that skedaddles
May live to fight over his battles again
Reminded 1 say, of this prudent old maxim,
By dangers which threatened old Irelands sons
From Canadian muskets-thcy up the hillside,
And out of the reach of the enemy's guns,
Like the man who, in fighting snob in duel,
Notready 10 die, and not anxious TO kill
His opponent, suggested they'd fight it with pistols
From opposite sides Of famed Sugar-loaf Hill
So Irishmen fought this great Fenian battle
And here's the result, If the figures be right,
Two killed and nine wounded-COd save the poor
fellows
And missins-the balance engaged in the hght.
SO ended the war with this battle of Franklin,
And similar fate which befel at Malone,
illustrating this-that, to conquer province,
Though aisily . said. is readily done.
Now that ireland has wrongs which should straight
way be righted,
May not be denied in humanity's name
Wrongs cruel and deep, which should make, at
recital,
The cheek of an Englishman redden with shame,
| But such impOtent war on q neighboring province,
Instead of rewarding its labor and pains
Its blood and its treasure by justice and freedom,
But rivets more hopelessly Ireland's chains.