BOXING THE COMPASS. [PEARCE.] BLUE PETER at the mast-head flew, To cheer the honest tar, We cruis'd along the coast of France, We drank, and laugh'd, and sung together, Sometimes while squalls have o'er us swept, BEN BACKSTAY. [CHARLES DIBDIN.] BEN BACKSTAY loved the gentle Anna: Her honey words, like succ'ring manna, N One fatal morning saw them parting: On a rock splitting, open'd wide, The portrait came-joy turned to mourning-- WE TARS HAVE A MAXIM! WE tars have a maxim, your honours, d'ye see, It may do for the lubber to snivel and that, But a tar among breakers, or thrown on a flat, With a yeo, yeo, yeo, tol de rol, &c. This life as we're told is a bit of a cruise, In which storms and calms take their turn; If it's storm, why we bustle, if calm, then we booze, All taut from the stem to the stern. Our captain, who in our own lingo would speak, And whether the anchor be cast or apeak, With a yeo, &c. THE WATERY GRAVE. WOULD you hear a sad story of woe, The most true, the most kind, the most brave: His place no one ever knew more; His nature had most of the dove. A curse on all slanderous tongues! A false friend his mild nature abus'd, Too sure from this cankerous elf On the yard while suspended in air, WHILE UP THE SHROUDS. WHILE up the shrouds the sailor goes, The landsman, who no better knows, But Jack with smiles each danger meets, When mountains high the waves that swell, The vessel rudely bear, Now sinking in a hollow dell, Now quiv'ring in the air- When waves 'gainst rocks and quicksands roar, If to engage they give the word. To quarters all repair, While splinter'd masts go by the board, Bold Jack, &c. INDEX TO THE FIRST LINES. A boy amid the blossoms played... Ah! it is not the matin bell A girl and her blind old mother... A lyre its plaintive music poured Along the lonely mountain side... All the fields were silent, sleeping A maiden bright loved a gay young knight All hail to the shrine, for the spot must be holy A maiden so fair loved a Moorish knight A north country lass up to London did pass Arm, brothers, arm, the wolf is out As a beam on the face of the waters may glow Around the face of blue-eyed Sue A stalwart lad is the blacksmith's son... PAGE 73 35 243 217 126 21 23 51 182 84 8 96 173 226 233 56 47 187 230 239 130 252 7 188 50 245 ... 265 A wind came up out of the sea Begone, dull care, I prithee begone from me Bell that soundest merrily Be kind to each other Ben Backstay loved the gentle Anna Beware the chain love's wreathing Bleak was the morn when William left his Nancy Blue Peter to the mast-head flew Brightly, brightly hast thou fled ... 182 |