Classic Poem

ACT II.

SCENE I.

M ACLAYMORE , Champignon .

Champignon running upon the stage in a ridiculous dishabille .
Prenez garde qu'elle ne vous echappe! — aux armes! — Mons. le Second — contre maitre — la chaloupe! la chaloupe!

M ACLAYMORE .

As I sall answer, the folks are a' gaen daft! — deel stap out your een! I'm nae sic midge but ye might a seen me in your porridge.

Champignon .

Ah meurtre! assassin! vous avez tue votre commandant! — holla ho! mes gens, a moi.

M ACLAYMORE .

Hout, na! it canna be our commander Monsieur de Champignon, running about in the dark like a worricow! — Preserve us a'! it's the vara man — weel I wot, Sir, I'm right sorry to find you in sic a pickle — but, wha thought to meet with you playing at blind Harry on deck?

Champignon .

Ventre saingris! my whole brain be derangee! — Traitre! you be in de complot.

M ACLAYMORE .

Traiter! me nae traiter, Mester Champignon, or gude faith! you and I man ha' our kail thro' the reek.

Champignon .

Were be de prisoniers? — tell a me dat — ha! — mort de ma vie! de Englis vaisseau! — de prise! de prisoniers! — sacrebleu! ma gloire! mes richesses! rendez moi les prisoniers — you be de enseigne, you be de officier.


M ACLAYMORE .

Troth, I ken foo weel I'm an officer — I wuss some other people who haud their heeds unco high, ken'd the respact due to an officer, we should na be fashed with a' this din.
Champignon .

Tell a me au moment, were be Monsieur 'Artlie? were be de prisoniers? wat you beat my brains wid your sottises ?

M ACLAYMORE .

Nay, sin ye treat me with sa little ceremony, I man tell you, Mester Heartly was na committed to my charge, and sae ye may gang and leuk after him — and as for prisoners, I ken of nae prisoners but your ain valet whom you ordered to be put in irons this morning for supping part of your bouillon , and if the poor fallow had na done the deed I think he must have starved for want of victuals.

Champignon .

Morbleu! Monsieur Maclaimore, you distrait me wid your babil — — I demand de Englis prisonniers — m'intendez vous?

M ACLAYMORE .

Monsieur de Champignon, je vous entens bien — there was nae English prisoner here — for I man tell you, Sir, that if ever you had read Grotius de Jure Belli ac Pacis — or Puffendorf de officio Hominis & Civis — ye wad a' seen he could na be in the predicament of a captus in bello , or an obses or vades — for what? ye'll say — because he was na teuk flagrante bello — ergo he was nae prisoner of war — now what says the learned Puffendorf ?

Champignon .

Comment! you call me Puff-and-horf? ventre bleu! you be one impertinent.

M ACLAYMORE .

What, what! — — that's a paughty word, Sir — that's nae language for a gentleman — nae mair o' that, or gude faith we'll forget where we are.

Champignon .

Morbleu! you ave forget dat I be your general — your chief.

M ACLAYMORE .

By my saul man! that's strange news indeed! — You my chief! you chief of the Maclaymores!

Champignon .

Si, moi, rustre — moi qui vous parle.

M ACLAYMORE .

Donna rustre me, Sir, or deel dam my saul, but I'll wrast your head aff your shoulders, if ye was the best Champignon in France.

SCENE II.
O CLABBER , Champignon , M ACLAYMORE .

O CLABBER .

Devil fire you my lads! what's the maining of all this disturbance? — — o' my conscience! there's no such thing as resting below — — a man would lie as quiet at the bottom of the sea — I've been a bed these tree hours, but I could not close an eye, gra; for, you waked me before I fell asleep. Arrah, now don't I dream, honey? what is it your own self Monsieur de Champignon, going to attack my ensign? — by my saoul! that's not so shivil now, aboard of your own ship — Gentlemen, I put you both under arrest in the king's name — — [you shall see one another locked in your cabins with your own hands;] and then, if you cut one another's troats, by the blessed Virgin! you shall be brought to a court martial, and tried for your lives, agra.

M ACLAYMORE .

Weel, weel, Sir, — — ye're my commanding offisher — — tuum est imperare — — but, he and I sall meet before mountains meet — that's a'.

Champignon to O CLABBER .

Vat! you presume to entremettre in mes affaires d'honneur — — you ave de hardiesse to dispute wid me de command of dis Vaisseau de Guerre? — — tell a me, if you know my condition, ha?

O CLABBER .

Indeed, indeed my dear, I believe your present condition is not very savoury — — but, if ensign Maclaymore had made you shorter by the head, your condition would have been still worse — — and yet upon my conscience! I have seen a man command such a frigate as this, without any head at all.

Champignon .

Monsieur O-claw-bear, you mocquez de moi — you not seem to know my noblesse — — dat I descend of de bonne famille — — dat my progeniteurs ave bear de honourable cotte — de cotte of antiquite.

O CLABBER .

By my saoul! when I knew you first, you bore a very old coat yourself, my dear; for it was thread-bare and out at elbows.

Champignon .

Ah! la mauvaise plaisanterie. — — daignez, my goot lieutenant O-claw-bear, to onderstand dat I ave de grands alliances — — du bien — — de rente — — dat I ave regale des princes in my chateau.

O CLABBER .

Och! I beg your chateau's pardon, grammachree! I have had the honour to see it on the banks of the Garonne — and by my saoul! a very venerable building it was — aye, and very well bred to boot, honey; for, it stood always uncovered: and never refused entrance to any passenger, even tho' it were the wind and the rain, gra.

ery well bred to boot, honey; for, it stood always uncChampignon .

You pretendez to know my famille, ha?O CLABBER .

By shaint Patrick! I know them as well as the father that bore them — your nephew is a begging brother of the order of St. Francis — Mademoiselle, your sister, espoused an eminent savatier in the county of Bearne ; and your own shelf, my dear, first mounted the stage as a charlatan; then served the count de Bardasch for your diversion; and now by the king's favour, you command a frigate of twelve guns, lying at anchor within the province of Normandy.

vC HAMque vous imaginez bien Monsieur — — but, I vill reIGNON .

Ah quelle medisance! — que vous imaginez bien Monsieur — — but, I vill represent your conduite to des Marechaux of France: and dey will convince you dat Monsieur de Champignon is one personne of some consideration — un charlatan! — mardy! dat be ver plaisant. — Messieurs, serviteur — I go to give de necessaires ordres pour r'attraper de Englis chaloupe — jusque au revoir — — Charlatan! — — Savatier! — Mort de ma vie.
SCENE III

O CLABBER , M ACLAYMORE .

O CLABBER .

Faith and troth! my dear, you'll see the chaloupe far enough out of sight, by this time.

M ACLAYMORE .

By may saul! captain, ye sent him awa' with a flea in his bonnet — — He'll no care to wrestle anither fa' with you in a hurry — — he had the wrang sow by the lug.

O CLABBER .

If he will be after playing at rubbers, he must expect to meet with bowls — — pooh! I main, he must look to meet with bowls, if he will be playing at rubbers — arra man deaul! that's not the thing neither — but, you know my maining, as the saying is.''

aul! captain, ye sent him awa' with a flea in his bonnet — — He'll no care to wrestle anither fa' with you in a hurry — — he hM ACLAYMORE .

Hoot, aye — I'se warrant I ken how to gar your bools row right — and troth I canna help thinking but I played my part pretty weel for a beginner.

O CLABBER .

For a beginner! — Devil fetch me! but you played like a man that jokes in earnest — but your joke was like to cut too keen, honey, when I came to part you — and yet I came as soon as you tipped me the wink with your finger.

M ACLAYMORE .

Let that flie stick i' the wa' — when the dirt's dry it will rub out — but, now we man tak care of the poor waff lassy that's left under our protection, and defend her from the maggots of this daft Frenchman.

O CLABBER .

I will be after confining him to his cabin, if he offers to touch a hair of her beard, agra.

M ACLAYMORE .

It's now break of day — donna ye see the bonny grey eyed morn blinking o'er yon mossy craig? — We'll e'en gang doun and tak a tasse of whisky together, and then see what's to be done for Miss Harriet.

SCENE IV.

H ARRIET , Brush .

H ARRIET . O Lord! I'm in such a flutter — — What was the meaning of all that noise? — Brush, are you sure your master is out of all danger of being retaken?


Brush .

Yes, yes, Madam, safe enough for this bout — The two land officers performed their parts to a miracle — — My Master and our people slipped into the boat, without being disturbed by the centries who were tutored for the purpose; and they were almost out of sight, before Champignon was alarmed by a starved Frenchman, whose hunger kept him awake — but, now they have doubled the point of land, and in four hours or so will be in sight of sweet Old England — — I'm sure, I sent many a wishful look after them.

H ARRIET .

What! you are sorry then for having stayed behind with me?

Brush .

O! by no manner of means, Ma'am — — to be sure you did me an infinite deal of honour, Ma'am, in desiring that I might be left, when you spoke to my Master thro' the barricado — — but, yet, Ma'am, I have such a regard for Mr. Heartly, Ma'am; that I should be glad to share all his dangers. Ma'am — tho' after all is done and said, I don't think it was very kind in him to leave his Mistress, and faithful servant in such a dilemma.

H ARRIET .

Nay, don't accuse your Master unjustly — — you know how unwillingly he complied with my request — — we could not guess what villanous steps this fellow, Champignon, might have taken to conceal his rapine, which Mr. Heartly will now have an opportunity to represent in its true colours.

Brush .

Well — heaven grant him success, and that speedily — — for my own part, I have been so long used to his company, that I grow quite chicken-hearted in his absence — — If I had broke my leg two days ago, I should n't have been in this quandary — — God forgive the man that first contrived parties of pleasure on the water.

H ARRIET .

Hang fear, Brush, and pluck up your courage — — I have some small skill in physiognomy, and can assure you it is not your fate to die by water — — Ha! I see the captain coming this way — — I must bear the brunt of another storm.

Brush .

Odso! I'll run down to lieutenant Oclabber, and his ensign, and give them notice, in case there should be occasion to interpose.

SCENE V.

Champignon . H ARRIET .

Champignon .

Madame, you pardon my presomption, dat I pay ma devoirs in dishabille — bot it be all for your service — — Monsieur your amant ave decampe sans fa├ºon — — I take de alarm, and make all my efforts to procure you de plaisir of seeing him again — Ah! he be de gallant homme to abandon his Maitresse.

H ARRIET .

Is there no possibility of bringing him back?

Champignon .

By Gar! it be tout a fait impossible — — he steal comme one thief into de chaloupe, and vanish in de obscurite!

H ARRIET .

I'm heartily glad to hear it!

Champignon .

For wat you be glad, my princess, ha?

H ARRIET .

That he's no longer in your power.

Champignon .

Bon! — juste ciel! — how you make me happy to see you glad, Madame! la, la, la, ra, ra — — Ventre bleu! he be one fugitif — — if we rencontre again, Revanche! Revanche! la, la, la, ra, ra — — Permettez donc, Madame, dat I ave de honeur to languisse before your feet — — ave pitie of me — — take my sword — — plongez dans my bosom — — Ah! Larron! perfide! — la, la, la, ra, ra.
Monsieur Artlie is not in my power — — bon! — — but, by Gar! Madame, you know who is, hah!

H ARRIET .

As for me, my sex protects me — — I am here indeed, a prisoner and alone; but you will not, you dare not treat me with indignity.

Champignon .

Dare not! — Bravo — shew to me de man vil say I dare not — — ├ºa — ha — hah!

H ARRIET .

You're in such a dancing humour, 'tis pity you should want musick — — Shall I sing you a song?

Champignon .

Ah cruelle! — — you gouverne wid souverain empire over my 'art — you rouse me into one storm — — you sing me into one calm.

SONG.

I.

Let the nymph still avoid, and be deaf to the swain
Who in transports of passion affects to complain;
For his rage, not his love, in that frenzy is shewn;
And the blast that blows loudest is soon overblown.

II.

But the shepherd whom Cupid has pierc'd to the heart,
Will submissive adore, and rejoice in the smart;
Or in plaintive soft murmurs, his bosom-felt woe
Like the smooth gliding current of rivers will flow.

III.

Tho' silent his tongue, he will plead with his eyes,
And his heart own your sway in a tribute of sighs;
But, when he accosts you in meadow or grove,
His tale is all tenderness, rapture, and love.

SCENE VI.

Champignon , H ARRIET , Brush .

Brush .

News! news! there's an English man of war's boat along side, with a flag of truce.

Champignon .

Comment! — — Madame, you ave de bonte to retire to your cabane — I go dress my self, and give de audience.

SCENE VII.

H ARRIET , Brush .

H ARRIET .

O Brush! Brush! how my little heart palpitates with fear and suspense! — What does the arrival of this boat portend?

Brush .

Our deliverance from the hands of the Philistines, I hope — — it could not arrive at a more seasonable juncture; for my spirits are quite flagged — not that I'm so much concerned on my own account, Ma'am — but, I can't be insensible to your danger, Ma'am — — I should be an ungrateful wretch if I did not feel for one that is so dear to Mr. Heartly, Ma'am.

H ARRIET .

Really, Mr. Brush, you seem to have improved mightily in politeness, since you lived among these French Gentlemen.

Brush .

Lived, Ma'am! — I have been dying hourly since I came aboard; and that politeness which you are pleased to mention, Ma'am, is nothing but sneaking fear and henheartedness, which I believe (God forgive me) is the true source of all French politeness; a kind of poverty of spirit, or want of sincerity — — I should be very proud to be drubbed in England for my insolence and ill-breeding.

H ARRIET .

Well, I hope you'll soon be drubbed to your heart's content — — When we revisit our own country, you shall have all my interest towards the accomplishment of your wish — — mean while do me the favour to make further inquiry about this same flag of truce, and bring an account of what shall pass, to my cabin, where I shall wait for you with the utmost impatience.

SCENE VIII.

Block , and another Seaman.

Block .

Smite my limbs, Sam, if the lieftenant do clap her aboard, here is no plunder — nothing but rags and vermin, as the saying is — we shall share nothing but the guns and the head-money — if you call those heads that have no bodies belonging to 'un. — — Mind that there scarecrow — see how his cloth hangs in the wind — — Adzooks! the fellow has got no stowage — — he's all upperwork and head-sail — I'll be damn'd if the first hard squall don't blow him into the air like the peeling of an onion.

To him Brush .

Heh! — how! — no sure! — Yes faith but it is — Odso! cousin Block, who thought to meet with you among the French?

Block.

What chear ho? — — How does mother Margery? — — meet me among the French? Agad! I'd never desire better pastime than to be among 'em with a good cutlash in my hand, and a brace of pistols in my girdle — Why look you, brother, hearing as how you and your mistress were wind-bound, we are come along side to tow you into the offing.

Brush .

The lord reward you, cousin — but, what if this damned Frenchman should refuse to part with us?

Block .

Why then, lieftenant Lyon is a cruising to windward of that there headland — he'll be along side in half a glass, fall under your stern, clap his helm a starboard, rake you fore and aft, and send the Frenchman and every soul on board, to the devil, in the turning of an handspike.

Brush .

The devil, he will! — — but cousin, what must become of me then?

Block .

Thereafter as it may be — — You must take your hap, I do suppose — we sailors never mind those things — every shot has its commission, d'ye see — we must all die one time, as the saying is — if you go down now, it may save your going aloft another time, brother.

Brush .

O! curse your comfort.

Block .

Heark ye, brother, this is a cold morning — — have you picked up never a runlet along shore? — What d'ye say to a slug?

Brush .

Slug! — — O, I understand you — —

Block .

Right Nantz, strike my topsails! — — Odds heart! this is the only thing in France that agrees with an Englishman's constitution. — — Let us drink out their brandy, and then knock out their brains — — This is the way to demolish the spirit of the French. — An Englishman will fight at a minute's warning, brother — — but a Frenchman's heart must be buoyed up with brandy — No more keg, no more courage.


Brush .

T' other pull, cousin.

Block .

Avast, avast — — no more canvas than we can carry — we know the trim of our own vessel. — Smite my cross trees! We begin to yaw already — Hiccup. —
he will be after playing at rubbers, heBrush .

Odso! our commander is coming upon deck, to give audience to your midshipman.
he will be after playing at rubbers, heBlock .

Steady.

SCENE IX.
ACLAYMORE , Brush , T OM H AULYARD an English midshipman.

Champignon .

Eh bien, Monsieur, qui souhaite il?

H AULYARD .

Anan — — Monseer sweat he! — — Agad! I believe, if we come along side of you, we'll make you all sweat.

M ACLAYMORE .

That's mair than ye can tell, my lad — — ye may gar me sweet with fechting; but it's no in your breeks to gar me sweet with fear.

O CLABBER .

You may sweat me after I'm dead, honey — but, by the blessed Virgin! you shall not sweat me alive — and so you may be after delivering your message, gra.

H AULYARD .

If it wa'n't for such as you that shew your own country the fore-top-sail, wold our enemy's cable, and mann their quarters, they would never ride out the gale, or dare to shew their colours at sea — but howsomever, we'll leave that bowling i' the block, as the saying is — if so be as how, that there Frenchman is commander of this here vessel, I have orders from my officer to demand an English young woman, with all her baggage and thingumbobs, that he took yesterday out of a pleasure-boat, belonging to one Mr. Heartly of Dorsetshire, who slipped the painter this morning.

Champignon .

Mardy! de commission be very peremptoire! — ecoute mon ami, vat you call Monsieur your commandant?

H AULYARD .

I don't take in your palaver, not I — and may hap, you don't know my lingo; but, agad! we'll soon make you understand plain English.

O CLABBER .

Monsieur Champignon wants to know who is your commanding officer, honey.

H AULYARD .

Who should it be, but lieutenant Lyon of the Triton man of war of sixty guns? as bold a heart as ever crack'd biscuit.

Champignon .

Bon! — — suppose dat I refuse de demand of Monsieur Lionne?

H AULYARD .

Suppose! — — if you do, he'll run you along-side, yard arm and yard arm, and blow you out of the water; that's all.

Champignon .

By Gar! he vill find himself mistaken: here is not vater for one sixty gun ship — ( aside ) Heark you me, Monsieur vat is your name, tell Monsieur Lioni dat I am called Michel, Sanson, Goluat de Champignon, Marquis de Vermisseau — — dat I ave de honeur to serve de king — — dat fear be one bagatelle of wich I have de Mepris — — dat I regard you ambassade as de Galimatias — — dat my courage suffice to attack one whole Englis escadre; and dat if Mons. Lionne be disposed to rendre moi un visite, I shall ave de gloire to chastise his presomption; so I permitte you go your way.

M ACLAYMORE .

Dissentio — bide you Billy — there's nae clerk here I trow — weel, lieutenant Oclabber, I tak instruments in your haund against the proceedings of Captain Champignon, wha has incarcerate the English leddy, contrair to the law of nature and nations. Now, cocky, ye may gang about your business; when ye come back, I'se tauk with you in another stile.

O CLABBER .

For my own part, Honey, I shall be after shewing you some diversion in the way of my duty; but, I taake you to witness that I have no hand in detaining the lady who is plaised to favour us with her company against her own consent, gra.]

H AULYARD .

May hap you may trust to your shoal water — if you do you're taken all aback, brother: for, lieutenant Lyon commands a tender of twelve guns and fifty stout hands, that draws less than this here frigate by the streak; and — heh! — agad! yonder she comes round the point with a flowing sail — b'w'ye, Monseer Champignon; all hands to quarters; up with your white rag; I doubt my officer and I will taste some of your soupe meagre by that time you pipe to dinner.

SCENE X.

Champignon , O CLABBER , M ACLAYMORE , Brush .

Champignon .

Mort de ma vie! je ne vous attendois pas sitot, a quelle cote faut il que je me tourne? sacrebleu!
Messieurs, I demand your conseil; you protest against my conduite; if you tink me ave done de injustice, you vil find me tout a fait raisonable; we render Mademoiselle to de Englis; for I juge it bien mal a-propos to engage de enemi, wen de spirit of contradiction reign among ourselves.

O CLABBER .

Faith and troth! my dear, the contradiction is all over; you have nothing to do but to station your men; and as for Mr. Maclaymore and my own shelf, the English cannon may make our legs and arms play at loggerheads in the air, Honey; but we'll stand by you for the glory of France, in spite of the devil and all his works, gra.

M ACLAYMORE .

Never fash your noddle about me: conscience! I'se no be the first to cry barley .

O CLABBER .

Ensign Maclaymore, I order you to go and take possession of the forecastle with your division, Honey. I wish they may stand fire 'till you're all knock'd o'the head, gra; but, I'm afraid they're no better than dunghills; for they were raised from the Canaille of Paris. — And now I'll go and put the young lady below water, where she may laugh in her own sleeve, gra; for if the ship should be blown up in the engagement, she is no more than a passenger you know; and then she'll be released without ransom.

Brush .

God bless you, captain Oclabber, for your generosity to my poor lady: I was ordered by my master to give her close attendance; and tho' I have a great curiosity to see the battle, Miss Harriet must by no means be left alone.

SCENE XI.

Champignon .

Ventre saingris! que ferai-je? Je me sens tout embrouille — ces autre Anglois sont si precipitees! que diable les etouffe. Allons! Aux armes! matelots — mes enfans? chardon — chifon — ortie — fumiere — l'hibou — la faim — allons — vite, vite — aux armes!
Ah mon bon dieu! ayez pitie de moi encore — qu'on m'apporte de l'eau de vie. Ah miserable pecheur! — je suis mort! — je suis enterre! — ah! voila assez mes enfans — cessez — desistez — il faut amener — Monsieur O-claw-bear — lieutenant O-claw-bear —

SCENE XII.

O CLABBER .

Holloa! —

Champignon .

Laissez — laissez — leave off your fire — de ennemi be too strong — — we ave abaissee le drapeau — I command you leave off —

O CLABBER .

Leave off! arrah for what?

Champignon .

De ennemi vil accord no quartier.

O CLABBER .

Devil burn your quarter! — what signifies quarter when we're all kill'd. The men are lying along the deck like so many paise; and there is such an abominable stench, gra — by my saoul! I believe they were all rotten before they died.
Arrah mon deaul! I believe the English have made a compact with the Devil to do such execution; for my ensign has lost all his men too but the piper, and they two have cleared the forecastle sword in hand.

Brush .

O Lord! Mr. Oclabber, your ensign is playing the devil — hacking and hewing about him like a fury; for the love of God interpose, my master is come aboard, and if they should meet there will be murder.

O CLABBER .

By my saoul! I know he has a regard for Mr. Heartly, and if he kills him it will be in the way of friendship, Honey — howsomever, if there's any mischeif done, I'll go and prevent it.

SCENE XIII.

Champignon , lieutenant L YON , Heartly , H AULYARD , Brush , Block , and English sailors.

Champignon .

Ah! misericorde, Mons. Artlie, quartier — quartier, pour l'amour de Dieu!

Heartly .

I have no time to mind such trifles — where is my Harriet?

Brush .

I'll shew you the way to the poor solitary pigeon — Ah, master, this is a happy day!

SCENE XIV.

O CLABBER , M ACLAYMORE , lieutenant L YON , H AULYARD , Champignon , &c .

O CLABBER .

Gentlemen, yours is the fortune of the day. You ought to be kind to us, for we have given you very little trouble. — Our commander there, is a very shivil person, gra; he don't turst after the blood of his enemy. As for the soldiers, I shall say nothing; but upon my saoul! now they're the nimblest dead men I ever saw in the days of my life! about two minutes agone they were lying like so many slaughtered sheep, and now they are all scamper'd off about their business.

M ACLAYMORE .

As I sall answar it's a black burning shame! and I hope the king will order them to be decimated, that is, every tenth man to be hanged in terrorem.

O CLABBER .

By my salvation! if the king will take my advice, every single man of them shall be decimated.

SCENE the last.

To them Heartly , leading in Harriet.


Heartly .

Gentlemen, I'm heartily glad of having an opportunity to return, in some measure, the civilities you have shewn to this young lady. Mr. Lyon, I beg you'll order their swords to be restored; they were in no shape accessary to our grievances.

O CLABBER .

Mr. Lyon, you're extraimly polite; and I hope I shall never die 'till I have an opportunity to return the compliment. Madam, I wish you joy of our misfortune, with all my saoul.

L YON .

I a'n't used to make speeches, Madam, but I'm very glad it was in my power to serve such a fine lady, especially as my old school-fellow Heartly is so much concerned in your deliverance. As for this fair weather spark, Monsieur de Champignon, if he can't shew a commission authorizing him to make depredations on the English, I shall order him to be hoisted up to the yard's arm by the neck as a pyrate; but if he can produce his orders, he shall be treated as a prisoner of war, tho' not before he has restored what he pilfer'd from you and Mr. Heartly.

H ARRIET .

At that rate I'm afraid I shall lose an admirer. You see, Monsieur de Champignon, the old proverb fulfilled; hanging and marriage go by destiny: yet I should be very sorry to occasion even the death of a sinner.

Champignon .

Madame, I implore your pitie and clemence; Monsieur Artlie, I am one pauvre miserable not worth your revanche.

Block .

Thus and no nearer — bear a hand my hearts —
By your leave, Tinsey — Odds heart! these braces are so taught, I must keep my yards square, as the saying is.

L YON .

Ahey! — what the Devil have we got here? how now, Block?

Block .

All's fair plunder between decks — we ha'n't broke bulk, I'll assure you — stand clear — I'll soon over-haul the rest of the cargo.
What's here? the tiller of a monkey! — s'blood the fellow has no more brains than a noddy, to leave the red ropes hanging over his stern, whereby the enemy may board him on the poop.
This here is the right trim of a Frenchman — all ginger-bread work, flourish and compliment aloft, and all rags and rottenness alow.
Adzooks! this is Mounseer's vane, that like his fancy, veers with every puff to all the points of the compass — Hark'ee, Sam — the nob must needs be damnably light that's rigg'd with such a deal of feather. The French are so well fledg'd no wonder they're so ready to fly.
Swing the swivel-ey'd son of a whore! he fights under false colours like a pirate — here's a lubberly dog, he dares not shew his own face to the weather.

Champignon .

Ah! Monsieur de Belokke, ave compassion —

Block .

Don't be afraid, Frenchman — you see I have hoisted your jacket, thof I struck your ensign — we Englishmen never cut throats in cold blood: the best way of beating the French is to spare all their Shampinions — Odd's heart! I wou'd all their commanders were of your trim, brother; we'd soon have the French navy at Spithead.

L YON .

But in the mean time I shall have you to the gangway, you drunken swab.

Block .

Swab! — I did swab the forecastle clear of the enemy, that I must confess.

L YON .

None of your jaw, you lubber.

Block .

Lubber! — Man and boy, twenty years in the service — lubber! — Ben Block was the man that taught thee, Tom Lyon, to hand, reef, and steer — so much for the service of old England — But go thy ways, Ben, thy timbers are crazy, thy planks are started, and thy bottom is foul — I have seen the day when thou would'st have shewn thy colours with the best o'un.

L YON .

Peace, porpuss.

Block .

I am a porpuss; for I spout salt water, d'ye see. I'll be damn'd if grief and sorrow ha'n't set my eye-pumps a-going.

H ARRIET .

Come Mr. Block, I must make you friends with lieutenant Lyon — As he has been your pupil, he must be an able navigator; and this is no time for our able seamen to fall out among themselves.

Block .

Why, look ye here, mistress, I must confess, as how, he's as brisk a seaman as ever greas'd a marlinspike — I'll turn 'un a drift with e'er a he that ever reefed a foresail — A will fetch up his leeway with a wet sail, as the saying is — and as for my own part, d'ye see, I have stood by him with my blood — and my heart — and my liver, in all weathers — blow high — blow low.

H ARRIET .

Well, I hope you'll live to see and sail with him as an admiral.

Block .

I doubt a must be hove down first, keel out of the water, Mistriss, and be well scrubbed, d'ye see — then a may to sea when a wool, and hoist the union flag — Stand clear, John Frenchman — " The Royal Sovereign of England will ride triumphant over the waves, " as the song goes.

L YON .

And now for you, Monsieur Champignon.

Champignon .

Monsieur Lionne, I ave not altogether contradicted, but, perhaps, a littel exceeded my ordres, wich were to take one English chaloupe for intelligence.

Heartly .

Well — I'm persuaded Mr. Lyon will not be very severe in his scrutiny; and, to shew that we Englishmen can forgive injuries, and fight without malice, give me your hand — I can't part with my mistress; but in other respects I am Monsieur de Champignon's humble servant.

L YON .

I was once taken by the French, who used me nobly. — I'm a witness of their valour, and an instance of their politeness — but there are Champignon's in every service — While France uses us like friends, we will return her civilities: when she breaks her treaties and grows insolent, we will drub her over to her good behaviour — Jack Haulyard, you have got a song to the purpose, that won't, I believe, be disagreeable to the company.

SONG.

Behold! my brave Britons, the fair springing gale,
Fill a bumper and toss off your glasses:
Buss and part with your frolicksome lasses;
Then aboard and unfurl the wide flowing sail.

CHORUS.

While British oak beneath us rolls,
And English courage fires our souls;
To crown our toils, the fates decree
The wealth and empire of the sea.

II.

Our canvas and cares to the winds we display,
Life and fortune we cheerfully venture;
And we laugh, and we quaff, and we banter;
Nor think of to morrow while sure of to day.

CHORUS.

While British oak, &c.

III.

The streamers of France at a distance appear!
We must mind other musick than catches;
Mann our quarters, and handle our matches;
Our cannon produce, and for battle prepare.

CHORUS.

While British oak, &c.

IV.

Engender'd in smoke and deliver'd in flame,
British vengeance rolls loud as the thunder!
Let the vault of the sky burst asunder,
So victory follows with riches and fame.

CHORUS.

While British oak beneath us rolls,
And English courage fires our souls;
To crown our toils the fates decree
The wealth and empire of the sea.