Page:The Muse in Arms, Osborn (ed), 1917.djvu/133

Rh Then the Board of Admiralty to Sir Doveton Sturdee said:

"Take a proper naval force

And steer a sou'west course,

And show the world that England is still a Power to dread."

Like scorpions and whips

Was vengeance to his ships,

And Cradock's guiding spirit flew before their line ahead.

Through tropic seas they shore like a meteor through the sky,

And the dolphins in their chase

Grew weary of the race;

The swift grey-pinioned albatross behind them could not fly,

And they never paused to rest

Upon the ocean's breast

Till their southern shadows lengthened and the Southern Cross rode high.

Then Sir Doveton Sturdee said in his flagship captain's ear:

"By yon kelp and brembasteen

'Tis the Falkland Isles, I ween,

Those mollymauks and velvet-sleeves they signal land is near,

Give your consorts all the sign

To swing out into line,

And keep good watch 'twixt ship and ship till Graf von Spec appear."