[On the left are the French frigates in a body to windward. The two leading British ships are the _Bellerophon_ and the _Brunswick_, the slowest sailers of the squadron. To the right centre is the _Royal Sovereign_ bearing down to help the _Triumph_ and the _Mars_. On the right is the _Pallas_ frigate (Captain the Hon. H. Curzon), Cornwallis's repeating frigate.]] BILLY BLUE A BALLAD OF THE FLEET It was just at break o' day, We were cruising in the Bay, With Blue Billy in the _Sov'ren_ in the van, When the French fleet bound for Brest, From Belleisle came heading West-- 'Twas so, my lads, the saucy game began. Billy Blue-- Here's to you, Billy Blue, here's to you! Washing decks was hardly done, When we heard the warning gun, And we saw 'em, black and clear against the sky; Twelve big ships of the line,-- And with frigates, twenty-nine, On the easterly horizon drawing nigh. Billy Blue, etc. We'd the _Triumph_ and the _Mars_, And the _Sov'ren_--pride of tars, _Billy Ruff'n_, and the _Brunswick_, known to fame; With the _Pallas_, and the _Phaeton_, Frigates that the flag did wait on-- Seven ships to uphold Old England's name. Billy Blue, etc. From the _Phaeton_ frigate first, In a flash the numbers burst, As the signal bunting 'broke' and fluttered free; But we cheer'd from ship to ship, And we set the guns to strip, For to fight 'em we could trust old Blue Billee! Billy Blue, etc. He was shavin', so they say, When he heard the news that day, And his skipper came his wishes for to larn; But he only said, 'All right, Let 'em bark, for we can bite, For all they're like to try on us, I don't care a darn!' Billy Blue, etc. 'No, I don't care a rap For any Frenchy chap, When they come they'll get the dressing they deserve; I've the best four in the fleet, That the Frenchmen well could meet, With the "Fightin' _Billy Ruff'n_" in reserve.'[73] Billy Blue, etc. 'As she broke the line with Howe, So she's game to do it now, And repeat her "First o' June" here in these seas; With their name for dauntless pluck, And the _Billy Ruff'n's_ luck, I will fight as many Frenchmen as you please!' Billy Blue, etc. But it wasn't merely bluff, For he saw the job was tough, And the signal promptly flew to 'Go about': With the slowest ship in front, And his own to bear the brunt,-- So we headed back for England, guns run out. Billy Blue, etc.