1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
|
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" />
<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" />
<title>
The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Cruise of the Catalpa, by John J. Breslin
</title>
<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" />
<style type="text/css">
body {
margin-left: 10%;
margin-right: 10%;
}
.covernote {visibility: hidden; display: none;}
div.chapter {page-break-before: always;}
h1,h2 { text-align: center; clear: both; }
h1 {page-break-before: always; }
h2 {page-break-before: avoid;}
.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;}
p { margin-top: .51em; text-align: justify; text-indent: 1.5em; margin-bottom: .49em; }
p.no-indent { margin-top: .51em; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0em; margin-bottom: .49em;}
p.indent { text-indent: 1.5em;}
p.f120 { font-size: 120%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; }
p.f150 { font-size: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; }
p.f200 { font-size: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; }
.space-above1 { margin-top: 1em; }
.space-above2 { margin-top: 2em; }
.space-below2 { margin-bottom: 2em; }
hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;
margin-left: 47.5%; margin-right: 47.5%; }
hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%; }
.pagenum {
position: absolute;
left: 92%;
font-size: smaller;
text-align: right;
}
.blockquot {
margin-left: 15%;
margin-right: 15%;
}
.bbox {border: solid 2px;}
.center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0; }
.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;}
.u {text-decoration: underline;}
img {max-width: 100%; height: auto;}
.figcenter { margin: auto; text-align: center; }
.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;}
.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;}
.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;}
.fnanchor {
vertical-align: super;
font-size: .8em;
text-decoration: none;
}
.poetry-container { text-align: center; }
.poem { display: inline-block; text-align: left; }
.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;}
.poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
.poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
.poem span.i10 {display: block; margin-left: 5em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
.poem span.i12 {display: block; margin-left: 6em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
.poem span.i14 {display: block; margin-left: 7em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
.poem span.i18 {display: block; margin-left: 9em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA;
color: black;
font-size:smaller;
padding:0.5em;
margin-bottom:5em;
font-family:sans-serif, serif; }
@media handheld { .pagenum {display:none;}
.covernote {visibility: visible; display: block;}
.poem { display: block; }
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 61372 ***</div>
<div class="transnote covernote">
<p>The cover image was created by the transcriber,
based on the original cover, and is placed in the public domain.</p>
</div>
<hr class="chap" />
<h1>THE<br /><big><i>Cruise of the Catalpa.</i></big></h1>
<p class="f200 space-above1"><b>A POEM.</b></p>
<p class="center space-above2">BY<br /><big>JOHN J. BRESLIN</big>,</p>
<p class="center space-below2"><i>Chief of the Rescuers of the Fenian Prisoners from
Freemantle, Australia</i>.</p>
<p class="center space-above2"><big>BOSTON:</big><br />PRESS OF ROCKWELL & CHURCHILL,<br />
39 <span class="smcap">Arch Street</span>.<br />1876.</p>
<p class="center space-above2 space-below2">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876, by<br />
<big>DANIEL M. LYNCH</big>,<br />in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.</p>
<div class="chapter"><div class="figcenter">
<img src="images/i_003.jpg" alt="Portrait of John Breslin" width="400" height="541" />
</div></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p>
<hr class="chap" />
<div class="chapter">
<p class="f150 space-above2 space-below2">[<i>Written on board the “Catalpa.”</i>]</p>
<h2 class="nobreak" title="A Descriptive Poem of the Rescue of the Fenian Prisoners from Freemantle, Australia.">A
DESCRIPTIVE POEM<br />OF THE<br />Rescue of the Fenian Prisoners<br />
FROM<br />FREEMANTLE, AUSTRALIA.</h2>
</div>
<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">It was on Easter Monday, in ’Seventy-six,</span>
<span class="i0">In Freemantle the jailers were all in a fix,</span>
<span class="i0">From Fauntleroy,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> down to Amen-timbertoe,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></span>
<span class="i0">There was racing and chasing and bother, you know,</span>
<span class="i0">For the Fenians had sliddered<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>
right off in a row;</span>
<span class="i0">But what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Oh! Wilson and Cranston and Hogan are gone,</span>
<span class="i0">With Darragh and Hassett and staunch Harrington;</span>
<span class="i0">For Collins and Johnston have opened the ball,</span>
<span class="i0">And to join in the dancing, out step Jones and Hall,</span>
<span class="i0">And they tripped to a tune that was far from being slow;</span>
<span class="i0">But what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Cops,<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a>
warders and soldiers are running a race</span>
<span class="i0">And the mounted policemen prepare to give chase;</span>
<span class="i0">In the pensioner’s barracks the trumpet did blow,</span>
<span class="i0">And old Finnerty’s<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>
bugle was purple, I know;</span>
<span class="i0">But the boys know their road, and are bound for to go;</span>
<span class="i0">So what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">There are two trotting teams on the Rockingham road,</span>
<span class="i0">From the gloom of a prison each bearing its load,</span>
<span class="i0">And full hearts are beating with freedom and joy,</span>
<span class="i0">As they sweep ’round the sand hills and through the Blackboy.</span>
<span class="i0">With the sunlight of Hope every face is aglow;</span>
<span class="i0">But what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">On, on through the bush, as they ride to the beach,</span>
<span class="i0">In vain for his captives may Robinson<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>
screech,</span>
<span class="i0">And Harvest<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>
may swagger to cover his fears</span>
<span class="i0">As they drag out the guns of the Perth volunteers;</span>
<span class="i0">But the Fenians are off; they may puff, pant and blow;</span>
<span class="i0">For what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Near Rockingham jetty, upon the white sand,</span>
<span class="i0">With revolvers and rifles the Fenians stand—</span>
<span class="i0">Gay, fearless and free, stepping into their boat;</span>
<span class="i0">Shove her off! then out oars! on the waters afloat!</span>
<span class="i0">Now a right saucy Yankee tar takes them in tow;</span>
<span class="i0">And what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Now Silvee and Toby and Mopsa give way,</span>
<span class="i0">For the good ship <i>Catalpa</i> lies out in the bay.</span>
<span class="i0">“Come down, you big Louis,” the captain did roar,</span>
<span class="i0">“Now what do you say, men? pull off from the shore;</span>
<span class="i0">You Lombar, keep stroke; pull, men, cheerily, oh!”</span>
<span class="i0">And what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Now past Garden Island, and clear off the Sound,</span>
<span class="i0">Make sail on the boat, pass the liquor around;</span>
<span class="i0">Shift your seats, trim the boat, as she bends to the breeze,</span>
<span class="i0">And light as a sea-gull skims over the seas;</span>
<span class="i0">There’s a rest from the oar, while the fair breezes blow;</span>
<span class="i0">And what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">At six in the evening we sighted the bark,</span>
<span class="i0">And we steered on her track till the evening grew dark,</span>
<span class="i0">When a squall coming down, with its venomous blast,</span>
<span class="i0">Almost swamped our good boat, as it tore out her mast;</span>
<span class="i0">So all night on the billows we tossed to and fro;</span>
<span class="i0">But what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Next morning at seven we raised her again,</span>
<span class="i0">Topsails, mainsails and hull—we were nearing her plain,</span>
<span class="i0">When we spied the <i>Georgette</i>, steaming out of the Sound,</span>
<span class="i0">And we knew by her course for the bark she was bound;</span>
<span class="i0">So we hauled down our sail, then lay to and lay low;</span>
<span class="i0">But what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">So the <i>Georgette</i> passed by bearing down on our ship;</span>
<span class="i0">All safe for the present—now, boys, let her rip;</span>
<span class="i0">Then we pulled in her wake for to see what she’d do,</span>
<span class="i0">And beside the <i>Catalpa</i> we saw her heave to,</span>
<span class="i0">And lay alongside her ten minutes or so;</span>
<span class="i0">But what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">See the <i>Georgette</i> steams off, and is running inshore;</span>
<span class="i0">Make sail on the boat, out with paddle and oar;</span>
<span class="i0">For with every sail set, on her course down the bay,</span>
<span class="i0">The good ship <i>Catalpa</i> is bearing away.</span>
<span class="i0">To gain on her now we’ve a hard row to hoe;</span>
<span class="i0">But what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">To follow our bark we were pulling amain,</span>
<span class="i0">When we saw the <i>Georgette</i> coming for us again.</span>
<span class="i0">In search of our boat she was steaming right back,</span>
<span class="i0">And we almost despaired as we lay in her track;</span>
<span class="i0">So we hauled down our sail and again we lay low;</span>
<span class="i0">And what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Still nearer and nearer the steamer came on,</span>
<span class="i0">And our plan of escape seemed all shattered and gone;</span>
<span class="i0">Hope faded away to a very small speck,</span>
<span class="i0">As we saw her lookout and the men on her deck;</span>
<span class="i0">But she passed us unseen—Fate had ordered it so;</span>
<span class="i0">And what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">So the steamer passed on, and was soon out of sight;</span>
<span class="i0">Boys, now for the bark, we must catch her ere night;</span>
<span class="i0">Every stroke is for freedom—pull fast, and pull strong—</span>
<span class="i0">Pull, fellows, together and send her along;</span>
<span class="i0">See the bark change her course, heading for us I trow;</span>
<span class="i0">And what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">It was two in the evening, and everything clear,</span>
<span class="i0">The bark coming to us, and nothing to fear,</span>
<span class="i0">When a sail on our lee, standing out from the shore,</span>
<span class="i0">Set us pulling our strongest with paddle and oar;</span>
<span class="i0">It’s a race for the ship, men; then row, bullies, row!</span>
<span class="i0">But what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">With the sail on our lee, heading on for the ship,</span>
<span class="i0">We pulled strong and steady, and gave her the slip;</span>
<span class="i0">For beside the <i>Catalpa</i> we tossed oars at three,</span>
<span class="i0">With the water-police boat close up on her lee.</span>
<span class="i0">Quick on deck now, my lads! It was just “touch and go;”</span>
<span class="i0">But what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Hoist the star-spangled banner, the flag of the free!</span>
<span class="i0">The brightest and best that waves over the sea:</span>
<span class="i0">May its stars ever brighten, its shadow increase,</span>
<span class="i0">Then a fig for John Bull and his water-police.</span>
<span class="i0">Wear ship! then for sea, blow you fair breezes, blow!</span>
<span class="i0">And what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Here’s a health to brave Anthony, pass it along,</span>
<span class="i0">May his fortune be great, and his name live in song;</span>
<span class="i0">Here’s to Smith, our first-mate, fill your glasses with glee,</span>
<span class="i0">For a right manly, true-hearted sailor is he.</span>
<span class="i0">Here’s success to the cause that we all of us know;</span>
<span class="i0">But what’s that to any one, whether or no?</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Here’s the good ship <i>Catalpa</i>, and all her ship’s crew;</span>
<span class="i0">Land of felons and jailers, here’s to you adieu,</span>
<span class="i0">From your dry, sandy shores we are speeding away,</span>
<span class="i0">May your fortune be brighter at no distant day;</span>
<span class="i0">Here’s the land of the free, may it flourish and grow,—</span>
<span class="i0">And God prosper old Ireland wherever we go.</span>
</div></div></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p>
<div class="chapter"><h2>Rolling Home.</h2></div>
<p class="blockquot">[The following is one of his latest literary efforts,—which was
often sung by the ship’s company,—a song entitled “Rolling Home,”
which eminently proves that he is possessed of as much poetic fire
and genius, as he is of tact and ability to carry out great political
undertakings.]</p>
<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Right across the Indian Ocean, while the trade-wind follows fast,</span>
<span class="i0">Speeds our ship with gentle motion; fear and chains behind us cast.</span>
<span class="i0">Rolling home! rolling home! rolling home across the sea;</span>
<span class="i0">Rolling home to bright Columbia; home to friends and Liberty.</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Through the waters blue and bright, through dark wave and hissing foam,</span>
<span class="i0">Ever onward, with delight, we are sailing still for home;</span>
<span class="i0">O’er our pathway in the sunshine flies the wide-winged albatross;</span>
<span class="i0">O’er our topmast in the moonlight hangs the starry southern cross.</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i18">Rolling home, etc., etc.</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">By the stormy Cape now flying, with a full and flowing sail;</span>
<span class="i0">See! the daylight ’round us dying on the black breast of the gale;</span>
<span class="i0">See! the lightning flash above us, and the dark surge roll below;</span>
<span class="i0">Here’s a health to those who love us, here’s defiance to the foe.</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i18">Rolling home, etc., etc.</span>
<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Now the wide Atlantic cleaving, with our good ship speeding free,</span>
<span class="i0">The dull “Cape of storms” we’re leaving far to eastward on our lee;</span>
<span class="i0">And as homeward through the waters on the old <i>Catalpa</i> goes,</span>
<span class="i0">Ho! you fellows on the masthead, let us hear once more, “He blows!”</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i18">Rolling home, etc., etc.</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Next by lonely St. Helena, with a steady wind we glide,</span>
<span class="i0">By the rock-built, sea-girt prison where the gallant Frenchman died;</span>
<span class="i0">With the flying-fish and porpoise sporting round us in the wave,</span>
<span class="i0">With the stars and stripes of freedom floating o’er us bright and brave.</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i18">Rolling home, etc., etc.</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Past “the Line!” and now the Dipper<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a>
hangs glittering in the sky,</span>
<span class="i0">Onward still! in the blue water see the Gulf-weed<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a>
passing by.</span>
<span class="i0">Homeward! homeward to Columbia! blow you steady breezes, blow;</span>
<span class="i0">Till we hear it from the masthead, the joyful cry, “Land, ho!”</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i18">Rolling home, etc., etc.</span>
</div></div></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p>
<div class="chapter"><h2>The Cruise of the Catalpa.</h2></div>
<p class="f120"><i>A Song written on the Homeward Voyage,<br />and dedicated to the Crew.</i></p>
<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">I’m Irish, if you like, and perhaps my name is Mike;</span>
<span class="i0">I’m a land-crab, and but little of a sailor;</span>
<span class="i0">So, for want of better news, now I’ll tell you of a cruise</span>
<span class="i0">I once took on board a simple Yankee whaler.</span>
<span class="i0">From New Bedford she was bound to the Western whaling ground,</span>
<span class="i0">Where they said the whales were always found in plenty;</span>
<span class="i0">So a willing son of toil, in the hope of striking oil,</span>
<span class="i0">I shipped, the greenest hand amongst the twenty.</span>
<span class="i0">Our old barque was staunch and sound, copper-fastened and well found,—</span>
<span class="i0">When I call her old, don’t think that I deride her;</span>
<span class="i0">Catalpa was her name, and when first on board I came,</span>
<span class="i0">I can tell you it was rather “rough on Snyder;”</span>
<span class="i0">For the captain and the mate, they were up both soon and late,</span>
<span class="i0">And around the decks kept hollering and bawling;</span>
<span class="i0">Though I wasn’t very sick, faith I’d rather cut my stick,</span>
<span class="i0">Than those blasted ropes eternally keep hauling.</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>—Pass the bottle, if you please, now we’re sitting at our ease,</span>
<span class="i12">Let us moisten up till song flows ripe and mellow;</span>
<span class="i10">Here’s to every honest lass, and together as they pass,</span>
<span class="i12">Here’s a health to every honest, manly fellow!</span>
<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Well we weathered out a gale, when we captured our first whale,</span>
<span class="i0">And a bully hundred-barreller we got;</span>
<span class="i0">May I never die in sin, when it came to cutting-in,</span>
<span class="i0">All hell was there to pay, and no pitch hot;</span>
<span class="i0">For the skipper stamped and tore, and the mates they jumped and swore,</span>
<span class="i0">When they might as well just take it cool and easy;</span>
<span class="i0">And the way the blubber flew round the decks among the crew,</span>
<span class="i0">You’d imagine every man of them was crazy.</span>
<span class="i0">So we cruised the season out where the sperm-whales did spout,</span>
<span class="i0">And I learned what cutting-in and trying-out meant;</span>
<span class="i0">When, on a friendly call, we anchored at Fayal,</span>
<span class="i0">And sent our oil on shore there for transhipment.</span>
<span class="i0">Then we hoisted sail again, bound for the Spanish main,</span>
<span class="i0">Six months upon hard-tack, salt beef and pork.</span>
<span class="i0">Some may like a sailor’s life, but I’d rather have a wife,</span>
<span class="i0">And the humblest little shanty in New York.</span>
<span class="i18"><i>Chorus.</i>—Pass the bottle round, etc.</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Steering for the river Platte, so the captain and the mate</span>
<span class="i0">Told us, green ones, who inquired where we were going;</span>
<span class="i0">But eastward, day by day, we kept bearing still away,</span>
<span class="i0">And where he meant to stop there was no knowing.</span>
<span class="i0">So the shellbacks then began to growl at the “old man,”</span>
<span class="i0">Steering for the river Platte in such a manner;</span>
<span class="i0">But as little did they know where the skipper meant to go,</span>
<span class="i0">As a puppy dog of etiquette or grammar.</span>
<span class="i0">Well, we sighted land at last, and soon our anchor cast,</span>
<span class="i0">But to name the place, I guess, my friends, would fail ye;</span>
<span class="i0">For the land to which we bore, and where we went ashore,</span>
<span class="i0">Was Bunbury, in Western Australia.</span>
<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>
<span class="i0">We entered for recruits, wood, water, fish and fruits,</span>
<span class="i0">Spuds, onions, and our liberty on shore;</span>
<span class="i0">In a fortnight, well prepared, scrubbed, painted and repaired,</span>
<span class="i0">We hoisted sail and put to sea once more.</span>
<span class="i18"><i>Chorus.</i>—Pass the bottle round, etc.</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">And then the joy began for every Irishman,</span>
<span class="i0">Whose soul indignant spurns at British slavery,</span>
<span class="i0">Who hates the tyrant guile, and the cunning, low and vile,</span>
<span class="i0">That fosters cant, hypocrisy and knavery.</span>
<span class="i0">Six Irish soldiers brave, rescued from the living grave,</span>
<span class="i0">In which the cursed spite of England bound them,</span>
<span class="i0">Life and liberty to save, came flying o’er the wave,</span>
<span class="i0">And along with our bold skipper there we found them.</span>
<span class="i0">Then the British lion roared for his captives; and, on board</span>
<span class="i0">A steamer, sent out soldiery to find them;</span>
<span class="i0">Police and volunteers, great guns and cannoneers,</span>
<span class="i0">To capture, and once more in fetters bind them.</span>
<span class="i0">They followed us all day, and we couldn’t get away,</span>
<span class="i0">For the wind was light, and blowing on the land;</span>
<span class="i0">And we tacked all through the night, till the early morning light</span>
<span class="i0">Showed the steamer coming for us close at hand.</span>
<span class="i18"><i>Chorus.</i>—Pass the bottle, etc.</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">It was useless strife to wage, she had got the weather-gage,</span>
<span class="i0">On the wind she couldn’t hope to outsail her;</span>
<span class="i0">So we held upon our course, to see what moral force</span>
<span class="i0">They’d try upon the simple Yankee whaler.</span>
<span class="i0">Then hot in haste and rage, all ready to engage,</span>
<span class="i0">They came like bloodhounds straining at the slip,</span>
<span class="i0">And the boss of all these jailers, to frighten us poor sailors,</span>
<span class="i0">Fired a round shot from his cannon at our ship.</span>
<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>
<span class="i0">We never cracked a lay, on our course still bore away,</span>
<span class="i0">And he found we wouldn’t scare worth a cent;</span>
<span class="i0">So another dodge he tried, but we knew the beggar lied,</span>
<span class="i0">When he said he’d orders from our government.</span>
<span class="i0">Then like a puffing pig, he strutted very big,</span>
<span class="i0">On his quarter-deck, and loudly gave us warning,</span>
<span class="i0">That he’d blow us to the devil, which wasn’t very civil</span>
<span class="i0">To lads who’d been up early in the morning.</span>
<span class="i18"><i>Chorus.</i>—Pass the bottle, etc.</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">But he found us rather fly, alive, quite pert, and spry,</span>
<span class="i0">Cool and ready for this boast, right little caring,</span>
<span class="i0">And our answer soon went back, as upon the starboard tack,</span>
<span class="i0">Right down upon his broadside we came bearing;</span>
<span class="i0">For we knew our cause was just, so in God we put our trust,</span>
<span class="i0">For Liberty, all threats and danger scorning;</span>
<span class="i0">And o’er our heads there flew Freedom’s flag, red, white and blue,</span>
<span class="i0">Streaming gaily in the breeze, our peak adorning.</span>
<span class="i0">Then he hailed us once again, having blustered all in vain,</span>
<span class="i0">With a mild request to let him come on board;</span>
<span class="i0">But our captain answered no; “it would never do for Joe;”</span>
<span class="i0">At sea to stop, he couldn’t well afford.</span>
<span class="i0">So they left us in despair, and skulked off to their lair,</span>
<span class="i0">Whilst our starry flag with joyful hearts we hail her,</span>
<span class="i0">For the lion dropped his tail, and his growl became a wail,</span>
<span class="i0">When bearded by a simple Yankee whaler.</span>
<span class="i18"><i>Chorus.</i>—Pass the bottle, etc.</span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">I’m Irish if you like, and perhaps my name is <i>Mike</i>,</span>
<span class="i0">I’m a land-crab, and but little of a sailor;</span>
<span class="i0">From the Western whaling ground, all safe and homeward bound,</span>
<span class="i0">On board a little, saucy Yankee whaler.</span>
<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>
<span class="i0">You may say I’ve lots of cheek, aye, and maybe call me <i>Greek</i>,</span>
<span class="i0">Though I never knew Omega yet from Alpha;</span>
<span class="i0">But I’ve sailed the world around, on the goose you’ll find I’m sound,</span>
<span class="i0">And I’ve cruised aboard the gallant old <i>Catalpa</i>.</span>
<span class="i0">Pass the bottle, if you please, now we’re sitting at our ease,</span>
<span class="i0">Let us moisten up till song flows ripe and mellow;</span>
<span class="i0">Here’s to every honest lass, and as on through life they pass,</span>
<span class="i0">Here’s a health to every honest, manly fellow.</span>
</div></div></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p>
<div class="chapter"><h2>The Sunburst and Tricolor.</h2></div>
<p class="f120">[<i>Written previous to sailing for Australia,<br />and dedicated to the “U.I.B.”</i>]</p>
<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Air.</span>—<i>Down, down in our village.</i></span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Comrades, around, come let us sing,</span>
<span class="i4">The Sunburst and the Tricolor;</span>
<span class="i0">Our hearts’ affections ’round them cling,</span>
<span class="i4">With hope and pride for evermore.</span>
<span class="i0">Now first to <i>thee</i> our fathers raised,</span>
<span class="i4">Proud standard of the mighty dead!</span>
<span class="i0">Whose golden glory flashed and blazed</span>
<span class="i4">In triumph, o’er their victor tread.</span>
<span class="i10">The Green! the Green!</span>
<span class="i10">With emerald sheen,</span>
<span class="i0">Though Time hath tarnished many a fold;</span>
<span class="i10">The blood and tears,</span>
<span class="i10">And dust of years,</span>
<span class="i0">’Twill cast them off when once unrolled.</span>
<span class="i10">Our own old flag,</span>
<span class="i10">Our dear old flag,</span>
<span class="i10">Our native Green!</span>
<span class="i10">Our own dear flag,</span>
<span class="i10">’Twill wave again,</span>
<span class="i10">O’er earth and main,</span>
<span class="i10">Our native Green!</span>
<span class="i10">Our Sunburst flag.</span>
<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>
</div><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Hurrah! ’tis freedom’s earliest dawn,</span>
<span class="i4">Bright streamers flash the cloudy skies;</span>
<span class="i0">Out from the night of slavery drawn,</span>
<span class="i4">Behold our Tricolor arise!</span>
<span class="i0">The emblem of a patriot’s love,</span>
<span class="i4">The symbol of a Nation’s faith,</span>
<span class="i0">We swear each fold that floats above,</span>
<span class="i4">To hold and guard it until death.</span>
<span class="i10">Soon may we see</span>
<span class="i10">Amongst the free</span>
<span class="i0">Our Tricolor, a standard brave!</span>
<span class="i10">Green, white and gold,</span>
<span class="i10">Proudly unrolled,</span>
<span class="i0">Triumphant over Ireland wave!</span>
<span class="i10">Our own young flag,</span>
<span class="i10">Our dear young flag,</span>
<span class="i14">Our Tricolor.</span>
<span class="i10">Our brave young flag,</span>
<span class="i14">Long torn and tried;</span>
<span class="i10">Now side by side,</span>
<span class="i14">True hearts uphold,</span>
<span class="i10">Our brave young flag.</span>
</div></div></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<div class="footnotes">
<p class="f150 u"><b>Footnotes:</b></p>
<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent">
<a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a>
Comptroller-General.</p></div>
<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent">
<a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a>
Nickname of the prison chaplain.</p></div>
<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent">
<a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a>
Prison slang, meaning slipping away.</p></div>
<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent">
<a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a>
Slang for police.</p></div>
<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent">
<a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a>
Major Finnerty, commanding the military in Freemantle; bugle being
slang for nose, and the major’s fuddled up to the orthodox rosy red.</p></div>
<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent">
<a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a>
W. F. C. Robinson, Governor of West Australia, who was so eager to capture
us that he personally assisted to put the cannon and ammunition on board.</p></div>
<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent">
<a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a>
Colonel Harvest, commander of the forces in West Australia.</p></div>
<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent">
<a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a>
American sailors called Ursa Major the Dipper.</p></div>
<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent">
<a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a>
Meeting the Gulf-weed out at sea encouraged Columbus and his sailors
to continue on their course, it being considered an indication of land.</p></div>
</div>
<hr class="chap" />
<div class="transnote bbox">
<p class="f120 space-above1">Transcriber's Notes:</p>
<hr class="r5" />
<p class="indent">Typographical errors have been silently corrected.</p>
</div>
<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 61372 ***</div>
</body>
</html>
|
