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by Marriott Edgar (1933)
Illustrations by John Hassall
"Kiss me Hardy." are supposedly Vice-Admiral Nelson's final dying words to his Flag Captain, Sir Thomas Hardy.
The poem below also alludes to another quotation attributed to Nelson: "England expects that every man will do his duty."
And we'll mention a third: "I could not tread these perilous paths in safety, if I did not keep a saving sense of humour."
Here is Marriott Edgar's sense of humour: Gunner Joe and his cannon balls. Years ahead of the 1980's Cannonball Run movies and certainly more exciting.
I'll tell you a seafaring story, He were one of the crew of the Victory, One day him and Nelson were boxing, They looked to were 'Ardy were pointing, | |
"What say we attack 'em?" says Nelson, They tossed... it were heads for attacking, When penny came down 'ead side uppards, And then, taking flags out o' locker, They got the guns ready for action, |
Taking flags our of locker |
Joe's cannon, it weren't 'alf a corker, Joe, selecting two of the largest, By gum! there weren't 'alf an explosion, |
At that moment up came the 'Boat-swine' "Do y' think he'll be long?" said the 'Boat-swine' And all this time Joe, treading water, |
With a cannon ball under each arm |
Nelson gave him an egg for his tea |
'E'd come to the top for assistance, At last 'e could stand it no longer, 'T were Nelson at finish who saved him, And after the battle was over, |