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The "Bab" Ballads

CAPTAIN REECE

OF

F all the ships upon the blue,
No ship contained a better crew
Than that of worthy CAPTAIN REECE,
Commanding of The Mantelpiece.

He was adored by all his men,
For worthy CAPTAIN REECE, R.N.,
Did all that lay within him to
Promote the comfort of his crew.

If ever they were dull or sad,
Their captain

danced to them like mad,

Or told, to

make the

time pass

by,

Droll legends of his infancy.

A feather bed had every man,
Warm slippers and hot-water can,
Brown windsor from the captain's store,
A valet, too, to every four.

Did they with thirst in summer burn?
Lo, seltzogens

at every

turn,

And on all

very
sultry
days

Cream ices

handed round on trays.

Then currant wine and ginger pops

tops:

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Stood handily on all the "
And, also, with amusement rife,
Zoetrope, or Wheel of Life."

A "

New volumes came across the sea
From MISTER MUDIE's libraree;
The Times and Saturday Review
Beguiled the leisure of the crew.

Kind-hearted Captain Reece, R.N.,
Was quite devoted to his men ;
In point of fact, good CAPTAIN REECE,
Beatified The Mantelpiece.

One summer eve, at half-past ten,
He said (addressing all his men):
"Come, tell me, please, what I can do
To please and gratify my crew.

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