Page:The Bab Ballads.djvu/87



WAS on the shores that round our coast From Deal to Ramsgate span, That I found alone, on a piece of stone,
 * An elderly naval man.

His hair was weedy, his beard was long,
 * And weedy and long was he.

And I heard this wight on the shore recite.
 * In a singular minor key:

"Oh, I am a cook and a captain bold,
 * And the mate of the Nancy brig,

And a bo'sun tight, and a midshipmite,
 * And the crew of the captain's gig."

And he shook his fists and he tore his hair,
 * Till I really felt afraid,

For I couldn't help thinking the man had been drinking,
 * And so I simply said: