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 'Twixt the offing here and Greve where the river

disembogues? Are you bought by English gold? Is it love the

lying's for?

Morn and eve, night and day, Have I piloted your bay,

Entered free and anchored fast at the foot of Solidor.

Burn the fleet and ruin France? That were

worse than fifty Hogues!

Sirs, they know I speak the truth! Sirs, be- lieve me there's a way! Only let me lead the line,

Have the biggest ship to steer, Get this Formidable clear, Make the others follow mine, And I lead them, most and least, by a passage I

know well, Right to Solidor past Greve,

And there lay them safe and sound; And if one ship misbehave,

Keel so much as grate the ground, Why, I've nothing but my life, here's my head!" cries Herve Kiel.

Not a minute more to wait.

'Steer us in, then, small and great!

Take the helm, lead the line, save the squadron! '

cried his chief. 'Captains, give the sailor place!

He is Admiral, in brief.

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