The Poetical Writings of Fitz-Greene Halleck/On presenting the Freedom of the City to a Great General
ON PRESENTING
THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY
In a gold box to a great General.8
he Board is met—the names are read;
Elate of heart, the glad committee
Declare the mighty man has said
He’ll take “the freedom of the city.”
He thanks the Council, and the Mayor,
Presents ’em all his humble service;
And thinks he’s time enough to spare
To sit an hour or two with Jervis.9
Hurra! hurra! prepare the room—
Skaats!10 are the ham and oysters come?
Go—make some savory whiskey-punch,
The General takes it with his lunch;
For a sick stomach, ’tis a cure fit,
And vastly useful in a surfeit.
But see! the Mayor is in the chair;
The Council is convened again;
And ranged in many a circle fair,
The ladies and the gentlemen
Sit mincing, smiling, bowing, talking
Of Congress—balls—the Indian force—
Some think the General will be walking,
And some suppose he’ll ride, of course:
And some are whistling—some are humming,
And some are peering in the Park
To try if they can see him coming;
And some are half asleep—when, hark!
A triumph on the warlike drum,
A heart-uplifting bugle-strain,
A fife’s far flourish—and “They come!”
Rung from the gathered train.
Sit down—the fun will soon commence—
Quick, quick, your Honor, mount your place,
Present your loaded compliments,
And fire a volley in his face!
They’re at it now—great guns and small—
Squib, cracker, cannon, musketry;
Dear General, though you swallow all,
I must confess it sickens me.