A Period Poem About the American Revolution, by an Empire Loyalist

God Save the King

-- Joseph Stansbury (1740-1809)

Time was, in defence of the King and the Right,

We applauded brave Washington foremost in fight:

On the banks of the Ohio he shouted lustily

          God save the King!

Disappointed ambition his feet has misled;

Corrupted his heart and perverted his head:

Loyal no longer, no more he cries faithfully

          Glory and Joy crown the King!

With Envy inflam'd 'tis in Britain the same;

Where leaders, despairing of virtuous fame,

Have push'd from their seats those whose watchword was constantly

          God save the King!

The helm of the State they have clutched in their grasp

When American Treason is at its last gasp:

When Firmness and Loyalty soon should sing valiantly

          Glory and Joy crown the King!

But Britain, with Glory and Conquest in view,

When nothing was wanted, but just to pursue —

To yeild — while her Heroes chanted triumphantly

          God save the King!

With curses consign to the Furies his Name,

Whose Counsels thus cover'd his Country with shame!

Loyalists still will chant, tho' heavily,

          Glory and Joy crown the King!

Tho' ruin'd so deeply no Angel can save:

The Empire dismember'd: our King made a Slave:

Still loving, revering, we shout forth honestly

          God save the King!

Tho' fated to Banishment, Poverty, Death,

Our Hearts are unalter'd, and with our last breath

Loyal to George, we'll pray most feverently

          Glory and Joy crown the King!