Poetry- Naval Fight

(Transcribed from original)

Naval Fight

Brave Yankee Captain Farragut 

A cruiser French espied

Some miles ahead on the high seas

Which capture had defied.

II.

With eagerness, with canvas full

His barque he hied in chase:

To sink or capture that proud ship

Would errors past efface.

III.

French cannons roar, but on he sails

Resolved the fight be near:

Then clearing decks, his guns made known

The Yankee had no fear.

IV.

With shot and shel his shield was struck-

Big flames rose here and there-

He aimed to reach the cruiser's side,

All else he did not care.

V.

This point once gained, he gropnels threw

Both vessels to unite,

Well knowing that with man to man

His crew would win the fight.

VI.

So great the damage the French guns

Did to his stately ship

That when on hostile deck he jumped

The Frenchman said with curl of lip-

VII.

"Why did you not your flag pull down

To show you mercy crave?

Yield now to me your gallant sword

To shun a watery grave".

VIII.

"Not on your life", the Yankee cried,

"But you to me must yield.

Your blood shall flow and lives be lost,

Naught else can now you shield".

IX.

Fierce was the fight which then began-

On both sides men were brave-

The deck reeks thick with rich good blood

For deadly blows each gave.

X.

Now Farragut at mid-mast placed

A man with this command-

"Throw torches into the French hold

To fire the powder stand".

XI.

Midst cries and blows a noise is heard

Which shook and rent the air:

Full twenty Frenchmen lie in death,

A score more wounds bear.

XII.

The captain French grief-stricken saw

The great loss he sustained;

Unable now with Farragut to cope

He yields his sword unstained.

XIII.

Report of this great naval fight

Soon reached the wide world's ears;

And Farragut's name is crowned with praise

By all succeeding years.

Joseph. 1911.