Page:The Bab Ballads.djvu/17

Rh One summer eve, at half-past ten, He said (addressing all his men): "Come, tell me, please, what I can do To please and gratify my crew.

"By any reasonable plan I'll make you happy if I can; My own convenience count as nil; It is my duty, and I will."

Then up and answered , (The kindly captain's coxwaincoxswain [sic] he, A nervous, shy, low-spoken man) He cleared his throat and thus began:

"You have a daughter,, Ten female cousins and a niece, A ma, if what I'm told is true, Six sisters, and an aunt or two.

"Now, somehow, sir, it seems to me, More friendly-like we all should be. If you united of 'em to Unmarried members of the crew.

"If you'd ameliorate our life, Let each select from them a wife; And as for nervous me, old pal, Give me your own enchanting gal!"

Good, that worthy man, Debated on his coxswain's plan: "I quite agree," he said, "O ; It is my duty, and I will.