Classic Poem

It was the good ship Iroquois ,
She sailed the southern sea,
O jolly tars, and apprentice boys,
And officers gay were we!

Southward we sailed till overhead
The Southern Cross shone bright,
While far behind, as on we fled,
The North Star sank from sight.

Southward we sailed till we reached the Line,
'Twas the first watch of the night,
And song and pipe and golden wine
Our wandering hours made bright.

Then suddenly — was it from out the sea? —
Sounded a merry horn,
And " Ship ahoy! " — as listened we —
Unto our ears was borne.

And up the ladder, out of the deep,
With trident glittering bright,
And beard that on the deck did sweep,
Old Neptune hove in sight.

" What ship is this? " " The Iroquois , "
Our Captain speaks him straight.
" Where from? Where bound? " With beard he toys
And bends his royal pate.

Each answer in a volume old,
With information stored,
He writes. Then quoth he, " Captain bold
Have you any lubbers on board? "

The Captain spake, " A few there are,
I think, your Majesty. "
Grimly then smiled each jolly tar,
Trembled each lubber's knee.

" Ho! Ho! " the king of ocean cried,
Twinkled his eyes so blue,
" Gramercy! But I fancied I'd
Find something here to do.

" With your permission, Captain brave,
To-morrow morn at ten
The customary rites we'll have,
And lubbers change to men. "

He grasped his glittering trident tight,
The monarch of the deep,
He turned and disappeared from sight
Adown the ladder steep.

Our Captain poured the sparkling cheer,
He was a sailor bold,
We drank to wives and sweethearts dear
As o'er the deep we rolled.