A battle of Birds Most strangely fought in Ireland, upon the eight day of September last, 1621. where near unto the City of Cork, by the river Le●, wear gathered together such a multitude of Stairs, or Starlings, as the like for number, was never seen in any age.  
To the tune of Shears wife. Or to the tune of Bonny Nell.  

 

Mark well, God's wondrous works, and see,  
what things therein declared be,  
Such things as may with trembling fear,  
fright all the world, the same to hear:  
for like to these, which here I tell,  
no man alive remembreth well.   

The eight day of September last,  
which made all Ireland much aghast:  
Were seen (near Cork) such flights of Birds,  
whose numbers, cannot well by words,  
accounted be: for greater store,  
was never seen, nor known before.   

The Rights, so many legions seemed,  
as thousand thousands they were deemed,  
All soaring up, along the sky,  
as if the battle were on high:  
in muultytudes, without compare,  
which like black clouds, made dim the are.   

First from the eastern skies appeared,  
a flight o● Stairs, which greatly feared,  
The p●op●e there, the same to see,  
as like cou●d not remembered be:  
for they in wardl●ke squadroun flew,  
as if they others wou●d pursue.   

And as this flight, thus hover lay,  
prepared all in battle ray:  
From out the west, another came,  
as great in number as the same,  
and there opposed in warlike might,  
themselves against the other flight.   

Whereas these Stairs, or starling Birds,  
for want of Helmetts, Glavess, and Swords,  
They used their Talents, Bills, and Be●a●s  
and such a battle undertakes:  
that trembling fear and terror brought,  
to all which saw this battle fought.   

For first, the Eastern flight sat down,  
with chattering 'noys upon the ground,  
As if they challenged, all the rest,  
to meet and fight even breast to breast,  
where presently was heard from fare,  
the same like chattering sound of war,   

And there upon the inesterne flight,  
doinne by the eastern Birds did light  
Where after they a while had set,  
together in their Bird like chat,  
they all upon a sudden rose,  
and each the other did oppose.    

The second part,  
to the same tune.  
 

ANd filling thus the Azure sky  
with these their troops up mounted high,  
They seemed more thick, than moats i'th' Sun,  
a dreadful battle there begun:  
and in their kind more strongly fought,  
then can immagened be by thought.   

Thousands of thousands, on a heap,  
upon the others backs did leap,  
With all their forced strengths and might,  
to put their Bird-like foes to flight:  
and as it were in battle ray,  
long time they kept them, thus in play.   

To fight this battle in the air,  
their bills and beaks their weapons were,  
Which they performed in such a sort,  
as makes me doubtful to report:  
that silly Birds should thus arise,  
and fight so fircely in the skies.   

But so it was and strange withal.  
that Birds should thus at discord fall,  
And never cease, till they had slain,  
thousands, stark dead upon the plain:  
where people took them up in fear,  
a thing most strange to see and hear.   

With broken wings, some fell to ground,  
and some poor silly Birds were found,  
With eyes picked out, struck down half dead,  
and some no brains left in their head;  
but battered forth, and killed out right,  
most strangely in this eyrie fight.   

Yet long with loud and chattering cries,  
each company 'gainst other flies:  
With bloody beaks, remorseless still,  
their feathered foes to main or kill,  
where whilst this battle did remain  
their bodies fell like drops of rain.   

Thousands were to the City borne,  
with wounded limbs, and bodies torn:  
For all the fields were overspread,  
with mangled starlings that lay dead.  
in blood and feathers strange to see,  
which men took up abundantly.   

It was a wonder to explain,  
the number of them hurt and slain,  
And being a wonder let it rest,  
the Lord above he knoweth best:  
what these poor creatures did intent,  
when thus to battle they did bend.   

But such a battle ne'er was fought,  
by silly Birds which have no thought:  
In doing ill, nor any mind,  
to work contrary to their kind,  
but yet as nature gave them life,  
so here they strangely fell at strife.   

What now for truth is published forth  
esteem it as a news of worth:  
And by the wonder of these days,  
learn to leave off all wicked ways,  
for sure it is that God it sent,  
that of our sins we should repent.    
FINIS.   

Printed at London by W. I