Part 2 (2/2)
Three centuries ago.
Oh, William Kidd was a pirate bad, Three centuries ago, A very dark repute he had-- Yo ho, my lads, yo ho!
He'd board a s.h.i.+p and take its h.o.a.rd, Then: ”Walk the plank!” he fiercely roared, ”The s.h.i.+p is all that I can board,”
Yo ho, my lads, yo ho!
Oh, William Kidd was a pirate great, Yo ho, my lads, yo ho!
He said: ”I'll rob you while you wait”-- Three centuries ago.
He had a long, low, rakish craft With Long Toms both before and aft, And wickedly and loud he laughed, Yo ho, my lads, yo ho!
Oh, William Kidd was a pirate big, Yo ho, my lads, yo ho!
He feared no frigate, bark or brig, Yo ho, my lads, yo ho!
And while his grim flag flapped and tossed Above the s.h.i.+p that Bill Kidd bossed, His victims knew just how they lost, Three centuries ago.
Oh, William Kidd was a pirate then, Three centuries ago.
If he should come to life again-- Yo ho, my lads, yo ho!
The chances are that he would just Go out and organize a trust-- He knew the way to raise the dust Three centuries ago.
LUCULLUS
[Ill.u.s.tration]
Lucullus was a fighter for a portion of his life; He won the bay and laurel by his prowess in the strife.
He came back home a hero (and no doubt, just as today, They named a c.o.c.ktail for him ere they looked the other way).
But when Lucullus noticed he was losing grips on fame, He struck a happy notion to perpetuate his name.
He took to giving dinners in a palace he had built-- 'Tis said that lots was eaten and a sea of wine was spilt; That guests might order anything in dishes old or new And get the very rarest, and a second order, too!
Quick lunches or course dinners--anything a man could wish In the line of drinks or dainties; yet he was no _nouveau riche_.
Lucullus won great battles, victories that he might boast, Yet today we recollect him merely as a lavish host.
It is said that once he ordered quite the richest feast prepared But no guests came to enjoy it, and the busy chef was scared.
”Is n.o.body here for dinner?” asked the fl.u.s.tered, pestered chef.
”I am dining with Lucullus!” roared Lucullus. ”Are you deaf?”
But we think that one great reason for his never-dying fame, For the pure, unfading l.u.s.ter of his dinner-eating name, Is that though Lucullus feasted at a very great expense And sat down to simple breakfasts where the health foods were immense, He was gracious to his fellows, was considerate of each, And he never put his chestnuts in an after-dinner speech.
METHUSELAH
[Ill.u.s.tration]
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