For Blue Billy sent the _Phaeton_, When the pass looked like a strait one, To cruise out in the offing,--just in sight: 'At a fitting time,' said he 'You will signal down to me, That Lord Bridport will be with us before night.' Billy Blue, etc. 'You will fire guns, you know, And to'gallant sheets let go, As the custom is, reporting fleets at sea; With a signal that they're 'friends'-- Which I think will serve our ends, To humbug those chaps astarn with Monsieur V.'[75] Billy Blue, etc. The Frenchmen cried 'Morblo!' And they shuffled to and fro, Till they judg'd they'd haul their wind and go about; To Belleisle back all the way, At anchor there to stay, Till they learnt the coast was clear to venture out. Billy Blue, etc. Yet no Channel Fleet was near, To excuse the Frenchmen's fear, For Lord Bridport was still cruising leagues afar,[76] And a well-worn _ruse de guerre_ Was a hardy game to dare, With French frigates--seventeen--the plot to mar. Billy Blue, etc. It so happened, for the rest, Just to point the _Phaeton's_ jest, By the merest chance--it wasn't meant at all-- Distant coasters passing by, Chanced to fleck the evening sky, And still faster to impel the flying Gaul. Billy Blue, etc. Here's to Stopford of the _Phaeton_, And Flag-Captain Whitby bold, To Fitzgerald of the _Brunswick_, tried and true, Gallant Gower of the _Triumph_, Gallant Cotton of the _Mars_, Lord Cranstoun--_Billy Ruff'n_--here's to you! Billy Blue, etc. Aye, Blue Billy:--here's to him, with three times three, To the honour of his name upon the sea! 'He upheld Old England's credit,' said the country in its pride: 'Cornwallis's Retreat,' Greek Xenophon's great feat, In its spirit we may claim to set beside. Billy Blue, etc. E'en our foes, the _Parley Voos_, At this feat of Billy Blue's Professed to be astounded--'_Etonnes_':-- '_Hors de ligne_' 'twas, so to speak, '_Une affaire trop heroique_,' '_Le Determine_,' they call him to this day. Billy Blue-- Here's to you, Billy Blue, here's to you!