AIR--"The _Shannon_ and the _Chesapeake_." Here's a health to _Marco Polo_[1]-- May he reach his northern goal, oh! And advance the flag of England into realms unknown! May the _Challenger_[2] be there, All comers bold to dare, And _Victoria_[3] be victorious in the frozen zone! May our _Poppie_[4] be in sight, With her colours streaming bright, And the _Bulldog_[5] tug on merrily from strand to strand! And the _Alexandra_[6] brave See our banner proudly wave O'er the highest cliffs and summits of the northernmost land! Here's a health to _Hercules_,[7] Whom the autumn blast did freeze, And all our gallant fellows whom the frost laid low! Just wait a little longer, Till they get a trifle stronger, And they'll never pull the worse because they've lost a toe. Here's a health, with three times three, To the brave _Discovery_,[8] And our merry, merry guests, so truly welcome here! And a brimming bumper yet To our valiant little pet-- The lively _Clements Markham_,[9] with its bold charioteer! Here's a health to all true blue, To the officers and crew Who man this Expedition neat and handy, oh! And may they ever prove, Both in sledging and in love, That the tars of old Britannia are the dandy, oh! FOOTNOTES: [1] Commander Markham's sledge. [2] Lieut. Aldrich's sledge. [3] Lieut. Parr's sledge. [4] Lieut. Giffard's sledge. [5] Dr. Moss's sledge. [6] Mr. White's sledge. [7] Lieut. May's sledge. [8] Lieut. Rawson's sledge. [9] Mr. Egerton's sledge. CHAPTER XVIII. RETURN OF THE SUN. "Most glorious orb! that were a worship, ere The mystery of thy making was revealed! Thou earliest minister of the Almighty Which gladdened on their mountain tops the hearts Of the Chaldean shepherds, till they poured Themselves in orisons." BYRON.