Part 29 (1/2)

Then up and spoke the plumbyers bold, Which was laying the pipes for the hot and cold: 'Since you with us have made so free, Will you kindly say what your name might be?'

The young man kindly answered them: 'It might be Lot or Methusalem, Or it might be Moses (a man I hate), Whereas it is Pharaoh surnamed the Great.

'Your glazing is new and your plumbing's strange, But otherwise I perceive no change, And in less than a month if you do as I bid I'd learn you to build me a Pyramid!'

The Sailor:

_I tell this tale, which is stricter true, Just by way of convincing you How very little, since things was made, Things have altered in the s.h.i.+pwright's trade._

In Blackwall Basin yesterday A China barque re-fitting lay, When a fat old man with snow-white hair Came up to watch us working there.

Now there wasn't a knot which the riggers knew But the old man made it--and better too; Nor there wasn't a sheet, or a lift, or a brace.

But the old man knew its lead and place.

Then up and spoke the caulkyers bold, Which was packing the pump in the afterhold: 'Since you with us have made so free, Will you kindly tell what your name might be?'

The old man kindly answered them: 'It might be j.a.pheth, it might be Shem, Or it might be Ham (though his skin was dark), Whereas it is Noah, commanding the Ark.

'Your wheel is new and your pumps are strange, But otherwise I perceive no change, And in less than a week, if she did not ground, I'd sail this hooker the wide world round!'

Both:

_We tell these tales, which are strictest true, Just by way of convincing you How very little, since things was made, Anything alters in any one's trade._

A SMUGGLER'S SONG

If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse's feet, Don't go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street.

Them that asks no questions isn't told a lie, Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!

Five and twenty ponies, Trotting through the dark-- Brandy for the Parson, 'Baccy for the Clerk; Laces for a lady, letters for a spy, And watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!

Running round the woodlump if you chance to find Little barrels, roped and tarred, all full of brandy-wine, Don't you shout to come and look, nor use 'em for your play.

Put the brishwood back again--and they'll be gone next day!

If you see the stable-door setting open wide; If you see a tired horse lying down inside; If your mother mends a coat cut about and tore; If the lining's wet and warm--don't you ask no more!

If you meet King George's men, dressed in blue and red, You be careful what you say, and mindful what is said.

If they call you 'pretty maid,' and chuck you 'neath the chin.

Don't you tell where no one is, nor yet where no one's been!

Knocks and footsteps round the house--whistles after dark-- You've no call for running out till the house-dogs bark.

_Trusty's_ here, and _Pinchers_ here, and see how dumb they lie-- _They_ don't fret to follow when the Gentlemen go by!

If you do as you've been told, 'likely there's a chance, You'll be give a dainty doll, all the way from France, With a cap of Valenciennes, and a velvet hood-- A present from the Gentlemen, along o' being good!

Five and twenty ponies, Trotting through the dark-- Brandy for the Parson, 'Baccy for the Clerk.

Them that asks no questions isn't told a lie-- Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!

KING HENRY VII. AND THE s.h.i.+PWRIGHTS