Ben Block

Ben Block was a veteran of Naval renown
And renown was his only reward
The board had neglected his merits to crown
For no interest had Bed with my Lord
But yet as staunch as old Benbow was sturdy old Ben
And he would laugh at the cannon lour roar
Until Death?s dealing broadside made balls to meet men
And the scuppers they were streaming with gore

Nor could the lieutenant poor stipend provoke
His staunch mind by their scanty prog,
For his biscuit he?d break turn a quid crack a joke
And drown care to a jorum of grog
Thus for year after year in a sea boat of state
Poor Ben for his king fought and bled
Until thime had unthatched all the roof from his pate
And the hair from his temples had fled,

But humbly saluted an insignificant peer
A first Lord of the Admiralty once
Cried his lordship why Ben you have lost all your hair
Since I peep?d the last time on your sconce.
Why, my Lord, replied Ben if the truth must be said
Since a bald pate I have so long walked under
There have so many captains walk?d over my head
Had you seen me quite scalpt it was no wonder.

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