“Well, my work takes me a good deal about in queer places, and at queer times, amongst the country folk, and I hear plenty of them. Will one about Lord Nelson suit you? There’s an old patient of mine at the next table who owns a little coal wharf on the canal; he fell into the lock one night, broke his arm, and was nearly drowned, and I attended him. He takes a trip in the barges now and then, which makes him fancy himself half a sailor. I dare say I can set him off, if he hasn’t had too much beer.” So the Doctor walked over to a lower table, and spoke to a grisly-headed old man in a velveteen coat and waistcoat, and a blue birdseye-neckerchief, who seemed pleased, and drew his sleeve across his mouth, and cleared his throat. Then there was a rapping on the table, and the old bargee began in a rumbling bass voice:-- THE DEATH OF LORD NELSON. Come all you gallant seamen as unites a meeting, Attend to these lines I be going to relate, And when you have heard them ’twill move you with pity To think how Lord Nelson he met with his fate. For he was a bold and undaunted commander As ever did sail on the ocean so wide; He made both the French and the Spaniard surrender By always a-pouring into them a broadside. One hundred engagements ’twas he had been into, And ne’er in his life was he known to be beat, Though he’d lost an arm, likewise a right eye, boys, No power upon earth ever could him defeat. His age at his death it was forty and seven; And as long as I breathe, his great praises I’ll sing; The whole navigation was given up to him, Because he was loyal and true to his king. Then up steps the doctor in a very great hurry, And unto Lord Nelson these words did he say: “Indeed, then, my Lord, it is I’m very sorry, To see you here lying and bleeding this way.” “No matter, no matter whatever about me, My time it is come, I’m almost at the worst; But here’s my gallant seamen a-fighting so boldly, Discharge off your duty to all of them first.” Then with a loud voice he calls out to his captain, “Pray let me, sir, hear how the battle does go, For I think our great guns do continue to rattle, Though death is approaching I firmly do know.” “The antagonist’s ship has gone down to the bottom, Eighteen we have captive and brought them on board, Four more we have blown quite out of the ocean, And that is the news I have brought you, my Lord.” Come all you gallant seamen as unites a meeting, Always let Lord Nelson’s memory go round, For it is your duty, when you unites a meeting, Because he was loyal and true to the crownd. And now to conclude and finish these verses, “My time it is come; kiss me, Hardy,” he cried. Now thousands go with you, and ten thousand blessings For gallant Lord Nelson in battle who died.