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faced the winds, the waves, the fogs,
 * For they were a gallant band,

And they ventured forth, the bold sea dogs,
 * From the bight of Heligoland.

Six ships of war they steamed along,
 * Audacious and yet discreet,

When lo! on the skyline, fifteen strong.
 * They sighted another fleet.

Oh! theirs was indeed a perilous choice,
 * 'Twas a case of fight or flee,

When the captain cried in a resolute voice,
 * "Let us fight, my lads," cried he.

"Long have we panted to come to grips,
 * And here we shall gain our wish;

Moreover, I fancy that yonder ships
 * Have nothing on board but fish."

Then up spake a grizzled Goeben lad,
 * "We be far from land or fort;

I should feel more safe if I knew we had
 * A battleship in support."

"There be six of us, and fifteen of them;
 * Have a care while the odds are thus;

We may rake 'em with shell from stern to stem,
 * But they might throw herrings at us."

The captain he said, "Take heart of grace;
 * There's many a risk to run;

A herring's an awkward thing to face,
 * But it's not so bad as a gun.

"My mariners all, be not afraid
 * To venture on bold designs;

Remember ye come of the stock that made
 * The North Sea stiff with mines.

"So clear the decks for a scrap, my braves,
 * Since fight ye must and shall,

Like sons of the men who rule the waves,
 * The waves of the Kiel Canal."

So all that day they fought and drank
 * Of the battle's fierce delight,

And blazed and blazed away till they sank
 * Those trawling boats ere night.

Then they steamed away, Yeo ho! Yeo ho!
 * Brave men who had gained their wish,

With lots of captives of war in tow,
 * And any amount of fish.



"'The members of the Cheltenham Club do not play on Sundays; the ladies and gentlemen of the Cotswold Hills Club do play on the Sabbath.'—The Homefinder."