We gave our frigates the proudest names That we in our calendar reckon’d; One Hoffmann of Fallersleben we call’d, And Prutz[74] we christen’d the second. There floated the cutter Freiligrath, Whereon was seen the figure Of the Moorish king, which gazed below Like a moon (but as black as a nigger). There floated Gustavus Schwab as well, A Pfizer, a Kölle, a Mayer; On each of them stood a Swabian face, Each holding a wooden lyre. There floated Birch-Pfeiffer, a brig which bore On its mast the escutcheon olden Of the famous German Admiralty, On tatters black-red-golden. We boldly clamber’d on bowsprit and yard, And bore ourselves like sailors; Our jackets were short, our hats betarr’d, And our trousers as big as a tailor’s. Full many, who formerly sipp’d but tea As husbands kind and forbearing, Now drank their rum, their pigtail chew’d, And, seaman-like, took to swearing. So bright was our vision, we well nigh won A naval victory splendid; But when return’d the morning sun, Both fleet and vision had ended. We still were lying at home in bed, Our limbs all over it sprawling; We rubbed the sleep from out of our eyes, The following wise speech bawling: “The world is round; why seek to be tost “On the idle billows, faint-hearted? “When we sail round the world, at last we return “To the point from which we started.” THE GOLDEN CALF. Fiddle, flute, and horn uniting, To the idol-dance inviting-- Round the golden calf with springing All of Jacob’s daughters come-- Brum--brum--brum-- Kettle drums and laughter ringing! Girding up their tunics lightly, Clasping hands together tightly, Noble maidens, off’rings bringing, Twist, like whirlwinds at the least, Round the beast-- Kettle drums and laughter ringing! Aaron’s self joins in the mazy Circling dance with motions crazy; His concerns not looking after, Skips he, in his high-priest’s coat, Like a goat-- Kettle drums and ringing laughter! KING DAVID. Despots smiling yield their breath, Knowing after their own death That their slaves but change their master, And, if anything, work faster. Ah, poor race! like horse and bull They the waggons still must pull, And their backs will soon be broken If they heed not what is spoken. David said to Solomon On his deathbed: “List, my son! “My most dreaded foe of course is “Joab, general of my forces. “This brave general many a year “I have view’d with hate and fear; “But, however I detest him, “I ne’er ventured to arrest him. “Thou, my son, of sterner stuff, “Fearing God, art strong enough; “’Tis for thee an easy matter “That said Joab’s brains to scatter.” KING RICHARD.