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The Darned Mounseer.

Topics: classic

I shipped, d'ye see, in a Revenue sloop,     And, off Cape Finistere,     A merchantman we see,     A Frenchman, going free,     So we made for the bold Mounseer.     D'ye see?     We made for the bold Mounseer!     But she proved to be a Frigate and she up with her ports,     And fires with a thirty-two!     It come uncommon near,     But we answered with a cheer,     Which paralyzed the Parley-voo,     D'ye see?     Which paralyzed the Parley-voo!     Then our Captain he up and he says, says he,     "That chap we need not fear,     We can take her, if we like,     She is sartin for to strike,     For she's only a darned Mounseer,     D'ye see?     She's only a darned Mounseer!     But to fight a French fal-lal it's like hittin' of a gal     It's a lubberly thing for to do;     For we, with all our faults,     Why, we're sturdy British salts,     While she's but a Parley-voo,     D'ye see?     A miserable Parley-voo!"     So we up with our helm, and we scuds before the breeze,     As we gives a compassionating cheer;     Froggee answers with a shout     As he sees us go about,     Which was grateful of the poor Mounseer,     D'ye see?     Which was grateful of the poor Mounseer!     And I'll wager in their joy they kissed each other's cheek     (Which is what them, furriners do),     And they blessed their lucky stars?     We were hardy British tars     Who had pity on a poor Parley-voo,     D'ye see?     Who had pity on a poor Parley-voo!

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"I shipped, d'ye see, in a Revenue sloop,..."

William Schwenck Gilbert's contribution to classic is further solidified by the brilliance found in "The Darned Mounseer."... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...

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