'Great conqueror, see your captive kneel; Your clemency now let him feel! Here's all my arms, upon my life, My Ladle and my Carving Knife. My Vessel Fame "the Larder" calls, My Ammunition Forced meat balls, My Powder, Curry, whole Pepper, Shot, All, by my Capture, going to Pot: Then, let me hope you'll grant this Boon, _Release me speedily, and soon_! I'm bit of a poet, you see, this is rare fun.' The Regent, looking at him, says, 'What! we have caught you, have we? and in arms against your Sovereign! We'll just drench you with grog, and keelhaul you--and then release you, my old buck. You love fun!' Sir William was fond of the sea, and the Whig and Radical wits were never tired of laughing at the sumptuous fittings of his yacht, in which the Regent often accompanied him in his cruises. He was very badly educated, and is said to have been the author of the famous 'Three R's: Reading, Riting and Rithmetic.' According to the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1817, the Regent had quite a cruise in his new toy: '_Monday, Sept. 15._--The Prince Regent arrived last night at Carlton House from Brighton, having, during the week, been four days, and three nights at sea! The Prince commenced his aquatic excursions on Monday, when His R.H. remained at sea ten hours; and, on Wednesday, accompanied by Admirals Sir George Campbell, and Sir Edmund Nagle, Lord William Gordon, Sir William Keppel, the Hon. Capt. Paget, and Capt. Horace Seymour, His R.H. embarked in the _Royal George_ yacht on a second voyage, under salutes from the _Tigris_, _Inconstant_, _Rosario_, _Grecian_, _Viper_ and _Hound_: and, at half past one, the ships of war went through all the manœuvres of an engagement. At night, the vessels proceeded to sea; and, the next day, they stood over to the coast of France, and were off Dieppe, close in with the land, early on Friday morning; where, communication being had, the yacht and squadron cruised across the Channel again, and reached Brighton at one o'clock on Saturday, when the Prince landed, regretting that his presence being required in town, he was obliged to disembark. 'His Royal Highness was gratified beyond description, and enjoyed the highest state of health and spirits during the excursion. On disembarking, the Prince presented the Hon. Capt. Paget with a most elegant snuff box, in testimony of his high gratification and esteem; and so ardent and perfect was the pleasure that His R.H. felt, that, among other gracious intimations of his attachment to the Naval service, he said that, if he should land at any other place besides Brighton, it was his intention to wear the full dress uniform of an Admiral, and which he should continue to wear, at his _levées_, alternately with the dress of the army.' On January 15, 1817, the Grand-Duke Nicholas (afterwards Emperor) of Russia visited the Prince at the Pavilion, and stayed four days.