SEARCH
0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
PARTS:
Part 1
Part 2
Prev | Current Page 5 | Next

Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith), 1874-1936

"Greybeards at Play"



Observe these Pirates bold and gay,
That sail a gory sea:
Notice their bright expression:--
The handsome one is me.
[Illustration]
We plundered ships and harbours,
We spoiled the Spanish main;
But Nemesis watched over us,
For it began to rain.
Oh all well-meaning folk take heed!
Our Captain's fate was sore;
A more well-meaning Pirate,
Had never dripped with gore.
The rain was pouring long and loud,
The sea was drear and dim;
A little fish was floating there:
Our Captain pitied him.
[Illustration]
"How sad," he said, and dropped a tear
Splash on the cabin roof,
"That we are dry, while he is there
Without a waterproof.
"We'll get him up on board at once;
For Science teaches me,
He will be wet if he remains
Much longer in the sea."
They fished him out; the First Mate wept,
And came with rugs and ale:
The Boatswain brought him one golosh,
And fixed it on his tail.
[Illustration]
But yet he never loved the ship;
Against the mast he'd lean;
If spoken to, he coughed and smiled,
And blushed a pallid green.
Though plied with hardbake, beef and beer,
He showed no wish to sup:
The neatest riddles they could ask,
He always gave them up.


Pages:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23