Page:The Atlantic Monthly Volume 2.djvu/823

1858.]

"Is more than I can tell; But ne'er before, on sea or shore, Was such a heavy swell!"

He met a lady in her hoops, And thus she heard him hail:— "Now blow me tight!—but there's a sight To manage in a gale! I never saw so small a craft With such a spread o' sail!

"Observe the craft before and aft,— She'd make a pretty prize!" And then, in that improper way, He spoke about his eyes, That mariners are wont to use, In anger or surprise.

He saw a plumber on a roof, Who made a mighty din:— "Shipmate, ahoy!" the rover cried, "It makes a sailor grin To see you copper-bottoming Your upper-decks with tin!"

He met a yellow-bearded man, And asked about the way; But not a word could he make out Of what the chap would say, Unless he meant to call him names By screaming, "Nix furstay!"

Up spoke this jolly mariner, And to the man said he, "I haven't sailed these thirty years Upon the stormy sea, To bear the shame of such a name As I have heard from thee!

"So take thou that!"—and laid him flat. But soon the man arose, And beat the jolly mariner Across his jolly nose, Till he was fain, from very pain, To yield him to the blows.

'Twas then this jolly mariner, A wretched jolly tar, Wished he was in a jolly-boat Upon the sea afar, Or riding fast, before the blast, Upon a single spar!