1803.7
Serious Advice to Bonaparte
Richard Braine
The Gentleman's Magazine, LXXIII (August 1803), pp. 763-764

By Richard Braine, Greenwich.

Pray have you not read what Elizabeth said
To her Peers when in Parliament sitting:
"My Lords, I am told that proud Philip, grown bold,
To invade us his fleet is now fitting;
Your assistance pray lend, our rights to defend,
Though I fear not this proud fellow's bluster;
Not his Armada great, which rides in such state,
Nor all the proud Dons he can muster."
    "I fear not," said she, "the harm he'll
                         do me,
Though fair winds and brisk gales here may blow him;
My cause is so just in Him whom I trust,
Will undoubtedly let me o'erthrow him;
But still I rely on your aid to supply
Ways and means on this rightful occasion:
I ask your assistance to make such resistance,
Will baffle this proud Don's invasion."
    With heart and with hand, at this good
                Queen's demand.
What she asked was readily granted.
No sooner equipt, she to Tilbury tript,
Where her forces for victory panted;
But the battle was won; for bold Drake beat
                       this Don,
Sunk, burnt, and blew up with explosion,
Three-fourths of this host, to proud Don Philip's
                         cost,
And confirm'd Bessy Queen of the Ocean.
    Bonaparte, pray read this; nor at all take
                        amiss
Those hints which I now lay before you;
For the very same fate doth now you await
Which proud Philip receiv'd, I assure you:
Though we have not Queen Bess, we her courage possess,
And a King who is dear to us all, Sir;
In defence of his right each bold Briton will fight,
Till the last drop of blood from him fall, Sir.