| Citation |
PP-P.781.121
27 Nov 1781:11 (10/812)
THE DANCE. A Ballad, to the tune of "Yankey Doodle."
Cornwallis led a country dance,
The like was never seen, sir,
Much retrograde, and much advance,
And all with General Greene, sir.
- - -
They rambled up, and rambled down,
Join'd hands, then off they run, sir,
Our General Greene to Charlestown,
The Earl to Wilmington, sir.
- - -
Greene, in the south, then danc'd a set,
And got a mighty name, sir,
Cornwallis jigg'd with young Fayette,
But suffered in his fame, sir.
- - -
Then down he figur'd to the shore,
Most like a lordly dancer,
And on his courtly honour swore,
He would no more advance, sir.
- - -
Quoth he-- my guards are weary grown,
With footing country dances,
They never at Saint James's shone,
At capers, kicks, or prances,
- - -
Though men so gallant ne'er were seen,
While saunt'ring on parade, sir,
Or wriggling o'er the park's smooth green,
Or at a masquerade, sir.
- - -
Yet are red heels, and long lac'd skirts,
For stumps and briars meet, sir,
Or stand they chance with hunting shirts,
Or hardy veteran feet, sir.
- - -
Now hous'd in York he challeng'd all,
At minuet or all'mande,
And lessons for a courtly ball,
His guards by day and night conn'd.
- - -
This challenge known, full soon there came,
A set who had the bon ton,
De Grasse and Rochambeau, whose fame,
Fut brillant pour un long tems.
- - -
And Washington, Columbia's son,
Whom easy nature taught, sir.
That grace which can't by pains be won,
Or Plutus' gold be bought, sir.
- - -
Now hand in hand they circle round,
This ever dancing peer, sir,
Their gentle movements soon confound,
The Earl as they draw near, sir.
- - -
His music soon forgets to play--
His feet can move no more, sir,
And all his bands now curse the day,
They jigg'd it to our shore, sir.
- - -
Now tories all what can you say ?
Come-- Is now this a griper ?
That while your hopes are danc'd away,
'Tis you must pay the piper.
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