University of Virginia Library

On the Colours in Westminster-Hall, 1704.

As Hodge and Dick, who lately came
From Lichfield, and from Nottingham,
Walk'd up the long litigious Hall,
Where Knaves at one another bawl;
Quoth Hodg, Adzookers! what are these
That hang aloft as thick as Bees?
Dick who (besides his Country Tricks)
Was hugely vers'd in Politicks,
And never miss'd a Market-day
To read what Jones and Dyer say,
Thus gravely answer'd: Friend, quoth he,
I marl at thy Stupidity;
If thou had'st read, as I have done,
The News that weekly comes to Town,
Thou'dst not been ignorant; but now
Listen a while and thou shalt know.
These on the right are what were took
From French-men by the Noble Rooke:
Those on the left from Blenheim came,
Where Marlborough encreas'd his Fame.
For thus, in most of your Addresses,
The Matter wonderful express is.
They tell you plainly how that we
Obtain'd a double Victory,
First one at Land, then one at Sea.
A Jolly Red-Coat standing by,
Cry'd out, You Whoreson that's a Lye;
Come up you Dog, and then look back,
Here's neither Pendant, Flag nor Jack.
With that, an honest Tar steps in,
Before a Quarrel could begin,
And cry'd, Hold fast Brother, that is true,
These Trophies all belong to you.
We fought the French indeed, but they
Would not be beat, but run away,
And so did we another day.
We saw their Flags, but could not catch 'em,
But Shovel's going now to fetch 'em.
They all shook hands but Dick, and he
Was plaguily concern'd to see
They spoil'd his Noble Rookery.