University of Virginia Library

CONCLUSION.

At once to end the Muse's toils,
From land remov'd and all its broils;
View Junk and tars the Fame on board,
In safety by marines restor'd;
If hulls you can deem water tight,
Thus maim'd in gallant shindey's fight;
Bob Boom, laid up with broken fin;
Tom Tackle, with three ribs stove in;
Bill Stay-sail, with two bung'd up eyes,
And nob of pumpkin's hugest size;
Ned Block, with broken pin laid fast;
And not least priz'd, tho' nam'd the last,
Our Junk, whose shatter'd jaw gives token
Of red hot row, while flat and broken
His bowsprit, gives the surgeon job,
Capsiz'd the once fam'd bridge of snob.
Lo! such the honors gain'd by fist,
And all hands on the doctor's list.
Sometime our Jack had been convey'd
On board the Fame, when Tom, by trade
A waterman, with skill profound,
At Point 'gins beating up his round,
To see, in quest of rhino led,
What girls will put off for Spithead;
And 'mongst the troop by Tom enroll'd,
Who proffer'd persons up for gold,
Within his ample wherry glide,
Bet Sherwin with her friend Poll Stride,
Sal Walker and Mahoney sly,
And Junk's Moll Chantress, with black eye.
With this prime cargo, to the gale
Tom plies the oar and sets the sail,
When, urg'd by winds, he scuds it neat
O'er billows, and plies all the fleet.
Tom finding freightage goes off dull,
Now for the Fame begins to pull,
And gaining soon the war ship's side,
By Junk his Moll is quick descried,
Who sings out to his messmates four.
Our fancy pieces, lads, from shore.
Permission gain'd, to solace life,
Thro' port-hole Jack then lugs his wife;
And though he doats on fancy Doll,
He first enquires—“Neath apron, Moll,
“Hast brought the bladder, stor'd with gin?”
Moll tips the wink, when quick her fin
From thence produces heart'ning liquor,
Which soon makes both their tongues run quicker,
As straight converted into grog,
They whistles wet and take their prog.
In turn Jack Junk and messmates tell
Delights of many a shindy spell,
In which the girls support a part,
For each well knows the tale by heart.
Sometimes they sing, and sometimes jig it,
And smuggling gin from bumboats—swig it.
Three weeks alive is kept the game,
On board Junk's ship, the gallant Fame;
But time, that always makes an end,
And parts the lover and the friend,
Now severs these two babes of earth,
Since Moll must quit, of Jack the birth,
No tear-drop glistens in her eye,
Junk's bosom vents no far-fetch'd sigh;
Expecting rhino, Molly lingers,
Jack twigs her meaning, and his fingers
From locker quickly draw the hoard,
With which from land he came on board,
And thus bespeaks his girl anon,
The shore boat waiting to be gone.
“In two days, Moll, with you on shore,
“I spent full fifty pounds and more,
“And for three weeks with me you've been
“On board, well plied with prog and gin,
“So now, to square our yards, dear Molly,
“I've something left to make you jolly;
“There's sixpence vench, go get a feast,
“But of yourself don't make a beast.”
Thro' port-hole then, his soul's dear life,
Junk hands his ammunition wife;
While Moll, within the shore boat stow'd,
Looks up towards her late abode,
And with clench'd fists and raven's note,
Tips Jack this lingo from her throat:
“Had I but known, you dirty scamp,
“Your flipper thus had got the cramp,
“Ere I from shore had ta'en this trip,
“To stay on board your filthy ship,
“To nick I'd seen the skulking crew,
“And scurvy blackguards, such as you;
“So curse the gallows Fame for me,
“And may she founder when at sea.”
The shore boat steering fast from ship,
To winds Moll Chauntress gives the lip,
While Junk and messmates, swipes then quaffing;
Near split their honest sides with laughing.
So in such merry mood I'll leave 'em,
Accurs'd be he that e'er would grieve 'em
Sings out the bard—whose mind foresees
That whensoe'er a fav'ring breeze
Shall waft our Junk the foes to dare,
Of fighting Jack will take his share,
And, crown'd with laurel, sweep the sea,
With England's flag of Victory;
Old Ocean's race at once to bless,
May British Tar ne'er know distress;
And Junk for ever rank his name,
On board our isle's eternal Fame.