Page:The Muse in Arms, Osborn (ed), 1917.djvu/126

84 But the skippers knew of the Dogger Bank where the lead can "find" at eight;

You'd have heard of it too at Grimsby town, when the boats were a few days late.

The packers and fishwives knew it well,

For that's where their men got the fish to sell.

But now the merchants from Port of Leith will ask for the shallow patch,

And the Jutland men will haul their nets, fearing for what they'll catch;

Talking ever of homes that shook when the great grey vessels fought

And a fleet sent out on an enterprise, crippled and back in port.

They'll marvel at men who'll struggle and drown

For the sake of the maids in an East Coast town.

The travellers, too, from the Port of Hull will ask for the Dogger Bank,

And think of the day the great ships met, and the place where the Blücher sank;

And talk of the deeds of sailor folk who fought for their homes and trade,

And an enemy baffled by English strength, turned from an East Coast raid.

They'll know they travel because men fought

And skilfully handled what strong men wrought.