NOW   FAIR   AND   STRONG  
THE   SOUTH-EAST   BLEW (anon)

Now fair and strong the south-east blew,
And high the billows rose;
The French fleet bounded o'er the main
Freighted with Erin's foes.

Oh! where was Hood, and where was Howe,
And where Cornwallis then;
Where Colpoys, Bridport, or Pellew,
And all their gallant men?

Not skill nor courage aught avail,
Against high Heaven's decrees,
The storm arose and closed our ports,
A mist o'erspread the seas.

For not to feeble, mortal man,
Did God his vengeance trust;
He raised his own tremendous arm,
All-powerful as all just.

Now fierce and loud the tempest roared,
And swept the quivering main;
And part go south, and part go west,
And part the shore attain.

And trembling on the boisterous wave,
The shattered vessels lie;
The billows mounting o'er their heads,
To kiss the bending sky.

"Arise, ye sons of Erin, rise,
The Gaul is on the shore;
He comes, begrim'd with murder foul
And red with royal gore."

The sons of Themis proudly drew
The sword of justice bright;
And thirty thousand yeomen's swords
Reflected back its light.

Now firm and bold her patriot sons
To Erin's coasts repair;
With ardent zeal they hold their march,
Their banner fill the air.

But not to Albion's navy bold,
Nor Erin's patriot band
Did God his ministry depute
To save his favored land.

In Bantry's deep and rocky bay,
The hostile navy rode;
And now arrived the festal hour
When earth beheld her God.

The impious crews, with anxious eyes
Gazed on each verdant plain;
And mocked and scoffed the holy time
With many a jest profane.

But sure such loud and angry winds
Ne'er shook the seas before;
Nor ever did the glaring clouds
With such deep thunder roar.

And fierce and furious is the gale
That tears the troubled sky;
While, trembling in the dreadful blast,
The boasting cowards fly.

For thirteen nights and thirteen days
Their scattered navy strove;
And some were wrecked, and some despair,
Before the tempest drove.

Now, ever praiséd be our God
Who saved us from their hand,
And never more may foe presume
To dare this Christian land.