No sooner had we done hoisting of beer, To a place call’d the galley I did straightway repair. Such a racket and uproar, and hell of a rout, Scaldings here, scaldings there. I was glad to creep out. You could not have thought they behaved so rude, For they scalded the shins of poor Robin Hood. I next down below to my dinner was brought, To eat peas with my messmates like pigs in a trough; But as for the pork, I thought not amiss While one turn’d his back, crying, ‘Who shall have this?’ I thought it was fair, but I soon understood The smallest of all fell to poor Robin Hood. Then a man came unto me with a stick in his hand; The boatswain he was call’d, if I right understand. A bucket of grease in my fist he gave fast; He told me to jump up and grease down the mast. I scamper’d away then as fast as I could, But he brought me up standing, ah! poor Robin Hood! Two ruffians he ordered to strap me amain. I wish’d myself back with my Jenny again. My blood it did boil; I was forc’d to obey: But I show’d them a specimen of West Country play. Down the hatchway I bundled one rascal so lewd, But they seiz’d me behind, ah! poor Robin Hood! When peace is concluded--’twill soon be the news-- I shall see these rapscallions a-blacking of shoes. With my cudgel of oak I will learn them to skip, And make them remember on board the guard-ship. My song it is ended. If right understood, ’Twas from Sussex I came, and my name’s Robin Hood. _THE DOLPHIN’S RETURN._ (1768). Tune, _The Lilies of France_. Ye bold British tars, who to glory are free, Who dare venture your lives for your fortunes at sea, Yourself for a while of your pleasures disrobe, And attend to a tale of a voyage round the globe, For the _Dolphin’s_ return’d, and such tidings does bring As may welcome us home to our country and king. The twenty’th of August, the year sixty-six, By command of our captain the signal we fix; In the Sound of old Plymouth our ship we unmoor’d With our consort the _Swallow_, and transport well stor’d; But now we’re return’d, and such tidings we bring [As may welcome us home to our country and king]. The wind being far the next day we set sail, Blest at once with a fresh and prosperous gale; And straightway our course for Madeira we steer’d. No danger we saw, and no hardship we fear’d; For we sail’d round the world such tidings to bring As might welcome us home to our country and king. We touch’d at Madeira, St. Jago likewise, For the sake of fresh water and other supplies; But at neither of these could we make any stay, For the course of our voyage would admit no delay. We were bound round the world such tidings to bring As might welcome us home to our country and king.