Quick, quick, stoke her fires, and come calm or come wind, I will warrant we’ll soon leave land worries behind. Up, up with my flag, let it wave o’er the sea, I’m afloat! I’m afloat! and the Old Man is free. Though that growler should carp, and this snarler be heard, The steamer, unheeding, skims on like a bird. What to us is the shout of Conservative pain? As we’re well out of hearing, it’s uttered in vain. The enemy’s strokes ineffectively fall, Be they never so smart they’ve no power to appal, As with fresh air on deck, and snug comfort below, Through the holiday waters right onward we go. Hurrah! then my mates, we may lounge, we may sleep, Party rancour is hushed, we’re alone on the deep; Our flag of defiance still waves o’er the sea―― We’re afloat!――we’re afloat! and the Old Man is free. _Funny Folks._ September 22, 1883. ―――― SONG OF THE PICKPOCKET. There’s a flat, there’s a flat, on the opposite side, The country’s his home, and his nose is his guide, Quick, quick, trip him up, knock his hat o’er his eyes, And we’ll take out his wipe on the ground as he lies. I heed not the beaks, I fear not their claws; My object I’ll compass in spite of the laws; I ne’er will give up to a tyrant of Peel’s, Nor yield to a soul while I still have my heels. _The Puppet Show._ April 1, 1848. ―――― I’M A SHOT. I’m a shot, I’m a shot, I’m my Company’s pride, The range is my home, and my rifle my bride, Up, up with the flag, let it wave o’er the plain, I’ve hit the bull’s eye, and I’ll hit it again. I fear not the serjeant, I heed not the cells, I’ve a ball in my pouch on the target that tells; And ne’er as a slave, but a soldier I’ll kneel With a most inconvenient seat on my heel. I’m a shot, I’m a shot, &c. ―――― THE SONG OF THE FLOAT. I’m a float! I’m a float; on the deep rolling tide, I rest calmly still or triumphantly ride; The bright crystal flood is my natural home, Be it smooth as a mirror, or flashing with foam. My body’s of cork, of an olive green hue, And my tip as the needle magnetic is true. I’m a float! I’m a float! and I’m fair on the job, If the fishes below only give me a bob!