Marshal Villeroy, held the fortified town of Cremona during the
winter of 1702. Prince Eugene, with the Imperial Army, surprised it
one morning, and, owing to the treachery of a priest, occupied the
whole city before the alarm was given. Villeroy was captured,
together with many of the French garrison. The Irish, however,
consisting of the regiments of Dillon and of Burke, held a fort
commanding the river gate, and defended themselves all day, in spite
of Prince Eugene's efforts to win them over to his cause. Eventually
Eugene, being unable to take the post, was compelled to withdraw from
the city.]

The Grenadiers of Austria are proper men and tall;
The Grenadiers of Austria have scaled the city wall;
They have marched from far away
Ere the dawning of the day,
And the morning saw them masters of Cremona.

There's not a man to whisper, there's not a horse to neigh;
Of the footmen of Lorraine and the riders of Dupres,
They have crept up every street,
In the market-place they meet,
They are holding every vantage in Cremona.

The Marshal Villeroy he has started from his bed;
The Marshal Villeroy has no wig upon his head;
'I have lost my men!' quoth he,
'And my men they have lost me,
And I sorely fear we both have lost Cremona.'

Prince Eugene of Austria is in the market-place;