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THE POST CAPTAIN.

Steerwell heard me first impart
 * Our brave commander’s story,

With ardent zeal his youthful heart
 * Swell’d high for naval glory;

Resolv’d to gain a valiant name,
 * For bold adventures eager,

When first a little cabin-boy on board the Fame,
 * He would hold on the jigger,

While ten jolly tars, with musical joe, Hove the anchor a-peak, singing yoe heave yoe,
 * Yoe, yoe, yoe, yoe, yoe, yoe, yoe heave yoe.
 * Whiler en jolly tars, &c.

To hand top-gallant sails next he learn’d.
 * With quickness care and spirit,

Whose generous master then discern’d,
 * And priz’d his dawning merit;

He taught him soon to reef and steer,
 * When storms convuls’d the ocean,

Where shoals made skilful veterans fear,
 * Which mark’d him for promotion:

As none to the pilot e’er answer'd like he, When he gave the command, hard a port, helm a-lee, Luff, boys, luff, keep her near, Clear the buoy, make the pier.
 * None to the pilot, &c.