Part 13 (1/2)
_His disposition, so to speak, Was nautically soft and weak; He feared the rolling ocean, and He very much preferred the land._
_A stronger-minded man by far Was gallant Captain Thompson Tar; And (what was very wrong, I think) He marked himself with India ink._
_He boldly sailed the ”Soaking Sue”
When angry gales and tempests blew, And even from the nor-nor-east He didn't mind 'em in the least._
_Now, Captain Parker Pitch's sloop Was called the ”Cozy Chickencoop,”-- A truly comfortable craft, With ample state-rooms fore and aft._
_No foolish customs of the deep, Like ”watches,” robbed his crew of sleep; That estimable lot of men Were all in bed at half-past ten._
_At seven bells, one stormy day, Bold Captain Tar came by that way, And in a voice extremely coa.r.s.e He roared ”Ahoy!” till he was hoa.r.s.e._
_Next morning, of his own accord, This able seaman came aboard, And made the following remark Concerning Captain Pitch's bark:--_
_”Avast!” says he, ”Belay! What cheer!
How comes this little wessel here?
Come, tumble up your crew,” says he, ”And navigate a bit with me!”_
_Says Captain Pitch, ”I can't refuse To join you on a friendly cruise; But you'll oblige me, Captain Tar, By not a-taking of me far.”_
_At this reply from Captain Pitch, Bold Thompson gave himself a hitch, It cut him to the heart to find A seaman in this frame of mind._
_”Avast!” says he; ”we'll bear away For Madagascar and Bombay, Then down the coast to Yucatan, Kamtschatka, Guinea, and j.a.pan.”_
_”Stand off for Egypt, Turkey, Spain, Australia, and the Spanish Main, Then through the nor-west pa.s.sage for Van Dieman's Land and Labrador.”_
[Ill.u.s.tration]
_Says Captain Pitch, ”The ocean swell Makes me exceedingly unwell, And, Captain Tar, before we start, Pray join me in a friendly tart.”_
_And shall I go and take and hide The sneaking trick that Parker tried?
Oh! no. I very much prefer To state his actions as they were:_
_With marmalade he first began To tempt that bluff seafaring man, Then fed him all the afternoon With custard in a table-spoon._
_No mariner, however tough, Can thrive upon this kind of stuff; And Thompson soon appeared to be A feeble-minded child of three._
[Ill.u.s.tration]
_He cried for cakes and lollipops; He played with dolls and humming-tops; He even ceased to roar ”I'm blowed!”
And shook a rattle, laughed, and crowed._
_When Parker saw the seamen gaze Upon the captain's cunning ways, Base envy thrilled him through and through.
And he became a child of two._
_Now, Parker had in his employ A mate, two seamen, and a boy; The mate was fond as he could be Of babies, and he says, says he,--_