WILL WATERPROOF'S LYRICAL MONOLOGUE. 127 He looks not like the common breed That with the napkin dally; The Cock was of a larger egg Than modern poultry drop, Stept forward on a firmer leg, And cramm'd a plumper crop ; Crow'd lustier late and early, A private life was all his joy, That knuckled at the taw: He stoop'd and clutch'd him, fair and good, Stock-still for sheer amazement. But he, by farmstead, thorpe and spire, And follow'd with acclaims, A sign to many a staring shire Came crowing over Thames. Right down by smoky Paul's they bore, Till, where the street grows straiter, One fix'd for ever at the door, And one became head-waiter. But whither would my fancy go? Among the chops and steaks! 'Tis but a steward of the can, One shade more plump than common; As just and mere a serving-man As any born of woman. I ranged too high what draws me down Into the common day? Is it the weight of that half-crown, Which I shall have to pay? For, something duller than at first, Nor wholly comfortable, I sit, my empty glass reversed, Half fearful that, with self at strife, I leave an empty flask : So fares it since the years began, Nor much their wisdom teaches; We know not what we know. 'Tis gone a thousand such have slipt And fall'n into the dusty crypt Go, therefore, thou! thy betters went From misty men of letters; Hours, when the Poet's words and looks Had made him talk for show; THE CAPTAIN. A LEGEND OF THE NAVY. HE that only rules by terror Doeth grievous wrong. Let him hear my song. Brave the Captain was: the seamen Made a gallant crew, Gallant sons of English freemen, Sailors bold and true. But they hated his oppression, Doom'd them to the lash. Seem'd the Captain's mood. Wheresoe'er he came. So they past by capes and islands, Many a harbour-mouth, Sailing under palmy highlands Far within the South. On a day when they were going O'er the lone expanse, In the north, her canvas flowing, Rose a ship of France. Then the Captain's colour heighten'd, Joyful came his speech : But a cloudy gladness lighten'd In the eyes of each. 'Chase,' he said: the ship flew forward, And the wind did blow; Stately, lightly, went she Norward, Till she near'd the foe. Then they look'd at him they hated, Mute with folded arms they waited Not a gun was fired. But they heard the foeman's thunder All the air was torn in sunder, Crashing went the boom, Spars were splinter'd, decks were shatter'd, Bullets fell like rain; Over mast and deck were scatter'd Blood and brains of men. Spars were splinter'd; decks were broken: Every mother's son— Down they dropt-no word was spoken Each beside his gun. On the decks as they were lying, Were their faces grim. In their blood, as they lay dying, For his noble name, With one smile of still defiance Sold him unto shame. Shame and wrath his heart confounded, Pale he turn'd and red, Till himself was deadly wounded Falling on the dead. Dismal error! fearful slaughter! Years have wander'd by, Side by side beneath the water Crew and Captain lie; O'er them mouldering, THE LORD OF BURLEIGH. IN her ear he whispers gaily, 'If my heart by signs can tell, Maiden, I have watch'd thee daily, And I think thou lov'st me well.' THE CAPTAIN. A LEGEND OF THE NAVY. HE that only rules by terror Doeth grievous wrong. Let him hear my song. Brave the Captain was: the seamen Made a gallant crew, Gallant sons of English freemen, Sailors bold and true. But they hated his oppression, Doom'd them to the lash. Seem'd the Captain's mood. Wheresoe'er he came. So they past by capes and islands, Many a harbour-mouth, Sailing under palmy highlands Far within the South. On a day when they were going O'er the lone expanse, In the north, her canvas flowing, Rose a ship of France. Then the Captain's colour heighten'd, Joyful came his speech : But a cloudy gladness lighten'd In the eyes of each. 'Chase,' he said: the ship flew forward, And the wind did blow; Stately, lightly, went she Norward, Till she near'd the foe. Then they look'd at him they hated, Mute with folded arms they waited – But they heard the foeman's thunder All the air was torn in sunder, Crashing went the boom, Spars were splinter'd, decks were shat ter'd, Bullets fell like rain; Over mast and deck were scatter'd Blood and brains of men. Spars were splinter'd; decks were broken: Every mother's son Down they dropt-no word was spoken— Each beside his gun. On the decks as they were lying, Were their faces grim. In their blood, as they lay dying, For his noble name, With one smile of still defiance Sold him unto shame. Shame and wrath his heart confounded, Pale he turn'd and red, Till himself was deadly wounded Falling on the dead. Dismal error! fearful slaughter! Years have wander'd by, Side by side beneath the water Crew and Captain lie; O'er them mouldering, THE LORD of Burleigh. IN her ear he whispers gaily, 'If my heart by signs can tell, Maiden, I have watch'd thee daily, And I think thou lov'st me well.' |