of late their did
Near _Audenard_ befal.

To drive the _French_ with Sword and Gun,
Brave _Marlborough_ took his Way;
Ah! woe the Time that _France_ beheld
The Fighting of that Day.

The Valiant Duke to Heaven had swore,
_Vendosme_ shou'd pay full dear,
For _Ghent_ and _Bruges_, e'er his Fame
Should reach his Master's Ear.

And now with Eighty Thousand bold,
And chosen Men of Might;
He with the _French_ began to wage
A sharp and bloody Fight.

The Gallant _Britains_ swiftly ran,
The _French_ away to Chase;
On _Wednesday_ they began to fight,
When Day-light did decrease.

And long before high-Night, they had
Ten Thousand _Frenchmen_ slain;
And all the Rivers Crimson flow'd,
As they were dy'd in grain.

The _Britains_ thro' the Woods pursu'd,
The nimble _French_ to take;
And with their Cries the Hills and Dales,
And every Tree did shake.

The Duke then to the Wood did come,
In hopes _Vendosme_ to meet;
When lo! the Prince of _Carignan_
Fell at his Grace's Feet.

Oh! Gentle Duke forbear, forbear,
Into that Wood to shoot;
If ever pity mov'd your Grace,
But turn your Eyes and look:

See where the Royal Line of _France_,
Great _Lewis's_ Heirs do lie;
And sure a Sight more pitious was
Ne'er seen by Mortal Eye.

What Heart of Flint but must relent,
Like Wax before the Sun:
To see their Glory at an end,
E'er yet it was begun.

Whenas our General found your Grace,
Wou'd needs begin to Fight:
As thinking it wou'd please the Boys,
To see so fine a Sight.

He straightway sent them to the Top
Of yonder Church's Spire;
Where they might see, and yet be safe
From Swords and Guns, and Fire.

But first he took them by the Hand,
And kiss'd them e'er they went;
Whilst Tears stood in their little Eyes,
As if they knew th' Event.

Then said, he would with Speed return,
Soon as the Fight was done;
But when he saw his Men give Ground,
Away he basely run,

And left these Children all alone,
As Babes wanting Relief;
And long they wandred up and down,
No Hopes to chear their Grief.

Thus Hand in Hand they walk'd, 'till
At last this Wood they spy'd;
And when they saw the Night grow dark,
They here lay down and cry'd.

At this the Duke was inly mov'd,
His Breast soft Pity beat;
And so he straightway or