The Wonderful

   CROCODILE.

Now list you landsmen all to me,
To tell you the truth I am bound,
What happend to me by going to sea,
And of the wonders which I found.
Shipwreck'd I was once off Perouse,
And cast upon the shore ;
So I resolv'd to take a cruise.
The country to explore !
Fol de rol, &c.

But far I had not scudded out,
When close alongside the ocean ;
I saw something more, which at first I thought
Was all the earth in motion.
But steering up alongside,
I found 'twas a crocodile ;
And from his nose to the tip of his tail,
He measur'd five hundred mile.

This crocodile, I could plainly see,
Was not of the common race ;
For I was obliged to climb up a very high tree,
Before I could see his face.
And when he lifted up his jaw,
Though perhaps you'll think 'twas a lie,
It reach'd 'bove the clouds for miles threescore,
And his nose nearly touch'd the sky.

Whilst up aloft, and the stream was high,
It blew a gale from the south ;
I lost my hold, and away did fly
Right into the crocodile's mouth.
He quickly clos'd his jaws on me,
And thought to grab a victim ;
But I ran down his throat, d'ye see,
And that's the way I trick'd him.

I travell'd on for a month or two,
Till I got into his maw,
Where I found of rum-kegs not a few,
And a thousand bullocks in store.
Of life I banish'd all my cares,
For in grub I was not stinted,
So in this crocodile I liv'd ten years,
Very well contented.

This crocodile being very old,
One day, alas ! he died,
But he was three years a getting cold,
He was so long and wide.
His skin was ten miles thick, I'm sure,
Or very near about ;
For I was full six years, or more,
Cutting a hole for to get out.

But now once more I've got on earth,
And resolv'd no more to roam,
So in a ship that pass'd, I got a birth,
And now I'm safe at home.
And lest my story you should doubt,
Should you ever travel the Nile ;
Just where he fell, you'll find the shell
Of this wonderful crocodile.

[NLS note: a graphic appears here - see image of page]

 She lives with her own

         Granny, dear.

Cries William when first come from sea,
' Does any one know my Annette ?
Oh ! say is she faithful to me ?
Alas ! 'tis so long since we met !'
' Yes, yes,' an old gossip replies,
' We all know her very well here,
She has red lip and bonny black eyes
And she lives with her own granny dear.'
' Grenadier ! did you say, did you say,
grenadier ?'
' Yes, yes,' the old gossip replied,
' She lives with her own granny, dear.
' Oh, dear ! oh, dear !"

Annette flew to welcome him home !
But he turned from the maid with disdain
' False girl ! I suppose you are come
To jeer me and laugh at my pain.
Since scandal has blotted your name,
I deem you unworthy a tear :
I've been told by an eldery dame,
That you live with your own grenadier.'
Grenadier ! did love say ? &c.

   Fresh blows the Gale.

Fresh blows the gale, soon under weigh,
Our bark was borne with many a sigh,
I oft review'd the less'ning bay,
And lost it with a tearful eye :
But soon our crew began to blame
My love-lorn grief, and call'd it folly,
And oft I told a catch for shame,
Yet secret cry'd for pretty Polly.

Our little bark, by valour fraught,
Soon met the foe and laurels won, Sir !
Inspir'd by love alone I fought,
And gain'd fresh courage at my gun, Sir.
Our captain's praise unmov'd I heard,
Thought all the victor's boast but folly,
Then flew to shore to claim reward,
And heart for heart from pretty Polly.

G. Walker, Jun., Printer, Durham.
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