But when there were shows of gunning and blows,
My gallant was nothing so pert-a.
For when the Scots army came within sight,
And all prepared to fight-a,
He ran to his tent, they ask'd what he meant,
He swore he must needs goe sh*te-a.
The colonell sent for him back agen,
To quarter him in the van-a,
But Sir John did swear, he would not come there,
To be kill'd the very first man-a.
To cure his fear, he was sent to the reare,
Some ten miles back and more-a;
Where Sir John did play at trip and away,
And ne'er saw the enemy more-a.
NOTES
- John de Wert was a German general of great reputation, and the terror of the French
in the reign of Louis XIII. Hence his name became proverbial in France, where be
was called De Vert.-- See Bayle's Dictionary.