On the Death of Benjamin Briant the famous Pugilist.

Death and Briant ſet-to, and a terible fight.
Sure it was, when they both did begin,
Till Ben after ſhifting the whole of the fight,
At laſt thought it beſt to give in.
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Renown'd in Pugilistic ſtory,
Bold Johnson's dread, and Britain's glory,
Here vanquiſhed lies the famous giant,
Known by the name of Big Ben Briant;
Who, when the Fierceſt Fiſts on earth
Had ſhrunk from his ſuperior worth,
Elate with pride, and high in breath,
Would one day try a ſpar with DEATH,
Long 'twixt the Spectre and the Man,
The Doubtful Conteſt equal ran;
(A DOCTOR, for a Bottle-holder,
Stood cloſe to Ben's puiſſant shoulder.)
But DEATH resolved to lay him low,
Watch'd, and put in his favourite blow!!!

From page 63 of Sporting Magazine Volume 4, April 1794