TO A NAVAL CADET
In the Grand Fleet.
[There are over 500 naval cadets, aged 15 to 17, at present in the Fleet, serving as midshipmen.]
Young man, a little year ago
At Osborne (where the admirals grow)
I saw you fall on a mimic foe
With tackle and shove and thrust.
There by the jolly trim canteen,
Where the figure-head flaunts her golden sheen,
You fought, or cheered, for your Term fifteen,
As a fellow of mettle must ...
Yet now those deeds seem mighty small
You dared in the chase for a leather ball—
Now that you trip
On His Majesty's Ship
Playing the finest game of all!
A year ago, a naval fight
Was a tantalising dim delight
That fed your dreams on a Wednesday night,
When History prep. was through.
Yet yours was a Destiny strong and clear
That ever, unknown, was stalking near;
And now in a flash, it's here, it's here—
Now are your dreams come true!...
There are grey old admirals in our land
Who never have stood where now you stand,
Here on your feet
In His Majesty's Fleet—
With a real live enemy hard at hand!
Britannia to the French Generalissimo:—
"À l'honoré do nos deux nations
J'offre—cent mille félicitations!"
