But no, young Dick, you're not the man
Our realms to watch and ward,
For worse than a LEVIATHAN
You'd dread the foe's REAR-GUARD,
And in the storm of shot and SHELL,
You'd soon desert your pennant,
Care nought for serjeant, corporal,
Or general LIEUTENANT,
But prove yourself quite swift and nimble,
And thus would meet your END;
No, better take a tailor's THIMBLE
And learn your ways to mend.
'Capital, Helen!' said Elizabeth.
'How very pretty!' said Lucy.
'And very well described,' said Anne; 'you have brought in those ungainly words most satisfactorily.'
'Now, Helen, here is Anne's,' said Elizabeth; 'it is a choice one, and I have kept it for the last.'
'Let me read Anne's,' said Rupert; 'no one can decypher her writing as well as I can.'
'As was proved by the thorough acquaintance you shewed with the contents of her last letter,' said Elizabeth.
Rupert began as follows: