"--_The "Times," on "An Earnest Appeal on Behalf of
the Rank and File of the Navy_."]
_Jack Tar to Tommy Atkins, loquitur_:--
TOMMY ATKINS, TOMMY ATKINS, penmen write pertikler fine
Of the Wooden Walls of England, and likeways the Thin Red Line;
But for those as form that Line, mate, or for those as man them Walls,
Scribes don't seem so precious anxious to kick up their lyric squalls.
Not a bit of it, my hearty; for one reason--it don't pay;
There is small demand, my TOMMY, for a DIBDIN in our day.
Oh, I know that arter dinner your M.P.'s can up and quote
Tasty tit-bits from old CHARLEY, which they all reel off by rote;
But if there _is_ a cherub up aloft to watch poor JACK,
That there cherub ain't a poet,--bards are on another tack.
TOMMY ATKINS, TOMMY ATKINS, BULL is sweet on "loyal toasts,"
And he spends his millions freely on his squadrons and his hosts,
But there isn't much on't, messmate, not so fur as _I_ can see,
Whether 'tis rant or rhino, that gets spent on you and me.
Still the _Times_ has took our case up,--werry handsome o' the _Times_!--
I have heard it charged with prejudice, class-hate, and similar crimes,
But it shows it's got fair sperret and a buzzum as can feel
When it backs us with a "Leader" arter printing our "Appeal.
Pages:
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33