Bless God, he went as soldiers, 1
His musket on his breast－
Grant God, he charge the bravest
Of all the martial blest!
Please God, might I behold him 5
In epauletted white－
I should not fear the foe then－
I should not fear the fight!
His musket on his breast－
Grant God, he charge the bravest
Of all the martial blest!
Please God, might I behold him 5
In epauletted white－
I should not fear the foe then－
I should not fear the fight!
(F.52/J.147)
[1] as soldiers:: not a soldier but alike.
[2] musket:: a male sparrowhawk (OED 1).
[3] on his breast:: a tattoo of sparrowhawk on his breast.
[4] martial:: a martial art, boxing.
[6] epauletted white:: a bandage over the shoulder.
[7] foe:: opponent in a boxing match. then:: a suspicious word, indicating the consequence of "epauletted white" and fear; narrator feared the fight, so if the foe was wounded, then he feared not the fight.
that a single combat with fists, or a boxing match, was then and there fought in the presence of the said assembly, whereof the said A B was one, and that be and the other persons composing the Raid assembly witnessed the boxing match; and [if wagers were laid, add,] that the said A B then and there, laid a wager on the event of such combat or boxing match." ─ A System of Penal Law for the United States of America (1828)