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ADMIRALS ALL
21
Drake nor devil nor Spaniard feared,Their cities he put to the sack;He singed his Catholic Majesty's beard,And harried his ships to wrack.He was playing at Plymouth a rubber of bowlsWhen the great Armada came;But he said, "They must wait their turn, good souls,"And he stooped, and finished the game.
Fifteen sail were the Dutchmen bold,Duncan he had but two:But he anchored them fast where the Texel shoaledAnd his colours aloft he flew."I've taken the depth to a fathom," he cried,"And I'll sink with a right good will,For I know when we're all of us under the tide,My flag will be fluttering still."
Splinters were flying above, below,When Nelson sailed the Sound:"Mark you, I wouldn't be elsewhere now,"Said he, "for a thousand pound!"The Admiral's signal bade him fly,But he wickedly wagged his head,He clapped the glass to his sightless eyeAnd "I'm damned if I see it," he said.
Admirals all, they said their say(The echoes are ringing still),Admirals all, they went their wayTo the haven under the hill.
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