Scripscrapologia or, Collins's Doggerel Dish Of All Sorts. Consisting of Songs Adapted to familiar Tunes, And which may be sung without the Chaunterpipe of an Italian Warbler, or the ravishing Accompaniments of Tweedle-Dum or Tweedle-Dee. Particularly those which have been most applauded in the author's once popular performance, call'd, The Brush. The Gallimaufry garnished with a variety of comic tales, quaint epigrams, whimsical epitaphs, &c. &c. [by John Collins] |
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THE NAVAL SUBALTERN. |
 | Scripscrapologia |  |
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THE NAVAL SUBALTERN.
Ben Block was a vet'ran of naval renown,
And renown was his only reward;
For the Board still neglected his merits to crown,
As no int'rest he held with my Lord!
And renown was his only reward;
For the Board still neglected his merits to crown,
As no int'rest he held with my Lord!
Yet brave as Old Benbow was sturdy old Ben,
And he'd laugh at the cannon's loud roar!
When the death-dealing broadside made worm's meat of men,
And the scuppers were streaming with gore!
And he'd laugh at the cannon's loud roar!
When the death-dealing broadside made worm's meat of men,
And the scuppers were streaming with gore!
Nor could a Lieutenant's poor stipend provoke
The staunch Tar to despise scanty prog;
But his biscuit he'd crack, turn his quid, crack his joke,
And drown care in a jorum of grog!
The staunch Tar to despise scanty prog;
But his biscuit he'd crack, turn his quid, crack his joke,
And drown care in a jorum of grog!
Thus year after year, in a subaltern state,
Poor Ben for his King fought and bled;
'Till time had unroof'd all the thatch from his pate,
And the hair from his temples had fled.
Poor Ben for his King fought and bled;
'Till time had unroof'd all the thatch from his pate,
And the hair from his temples had fled.
When, on humbly saluting, with Sinciput bare,
The first Lord of the Adm'ralty once;
Quoth his Lordship, “Lieutenant, you've lost all your hair,
Since I last had a peep at your sconce!”
The first Lord of the Adm'ralty once;
Quoth his Lordship, “Lieutenant, you've lost all your hair,
Since I last had a peep at your sconce!”
“Why, My Lord”—repli'd Ben,—“It with truth may be said,
“While a bald pate I long have stood under;
“There have so many Captains walk'd over my head,
“That to see me quite scalp'd, 'twere no wonder!”
“While a bald pate I long have stood under;
“There have so many Captains walk'd over my head,
“That to see me quite scalp'd, 'twere no wonder!”
| Scripscrapologia | |