Afloat, ashore, ahead, astern,
With winds propitious or contrary.
(I do not spin an idle yarn.)
No--no, belay! I love thee, Mary.
Amidships--on the Bentinck shrouds,
Athwart the hawse, astride the mizen,
Watching at night the fleecy clouds,
Your Harry wishes you were his'n.
Then let us heave the nuptial lead,
In Hymen's port our anchors weighing;
Thy face shall be the figure-head
Our ship shall always be displaying.
But when old age shall bid us luff,
Our honest tack will never vary,
But I'll continue Harry Bluff,
And thou my little light-built Mary.
* * * * *
[Illustration: CUMULATIVE!
_Tourist_ (_on Scotch steamer_). "I say, steward, how do you expect
anybody to dry their hands on this towel? It's as wet as if it had been
dipped in the sea!"
_Steward._ "Aweel--depped or no depped, there's a hundred fouk hae used
the toowl, and ye're the furrst that's grummelt!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: The Margate excursion boat arrives at 2.30 P.M., after a
rather boisterous passage.
_Ticket Collector_ (_without any feeling_). "Ticket, sir! Thankye, sir!
Boat returns at 3!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: _Mothers Pet._ "Oh, there's ma on the beach, looking at
us, Alfred; let's make the boat lean over tremendously on one side!"]
* * * * *