I saw Gordon at Woods Hole last evening; and he sang a song from ??? Marryat - ie. he could not remember the poets first name.

It was Frederick, and the poem is shown below, and he is best known for his books "Children of The New Forest."

Tim Radford

THE CAPTAIN STOOD ON THE CARRONADE

[61]
The Captain stood on the carronade—"First lieutenant," says he,
"Send all my merry men aft here, for they must list to me,
I haven't the gift of the gab, my sons—because I'm bred to the sea;
That ship there is a Frenchman, who means to fight with me.
Odds blood, hammer and tongs, long as I've been to sea,
I've fought 'gainst every odds—but I've gained the victory.

That ship there is a Frenchman, and if we don't take she,
'T is a thousand bullets to one, that she will capture we;
I haven't the gift of the gab, my boys, so each man to his gun;
If she's not mine in half an hour, I'll flog each mother's son.
Odds bobs, hammer and tongs, long as I 've been to sea,
I've fought 'gainst every odds, and I've gained the victory.

We fought for twenty minutes when the Frenchmen had enough.
"I little thought," said he, "that your men were of such stuff."
[62]
The Captain took the Frenchman's sword, a low bow made to he;
I haven't the gift of the gab, Monsieur, but polite I wish to be.
Odds bobs, hammer and tongs, long as I've been to sea,
I've fought 'gainst every odds, and I've gained the victory."

Our Captain sent for all of us, "My merry men," said he,
"I haven't the gift of the gab, my lads, but yet I thankful be;
You've done your duty handsomely, each man stood to his gun;
If you hadn't, you villains, as sure as day, I'd have flogged each mother's son.
Odds bobs, hammer and tongs, as long as I'm at sea
I'll fight 'gainst every odds—and I'll gain the victory."
—FREDERICK MARRYAT.