| Here’s a health to Marco Polo[1]— May he reach his northern goal, oh! And advance the flag of England into realms unknown! May the Challenger[2] be there, All comers bold to dare, And Victoria[3] be victorious in the frozen zone! May our Poppie[4] be in sight, With her colours streaming bright, And the Bulldog[5] tug on merrily from strand to strand! And the Alexandra[6] brave See our banner proudly wave O’er the highest cliffs and summits of the northernmost land! Here’s a health to Hercules,[7] Whom the autumn blast did freeze, And all our gallant fellows whom the frost laid low! Just wait a little longer, Till they get a trifle stronger, And they’ll never pull the worse because they’ve lost a toe. Here’s a health, with three times three, To the brave Discovery,[8] And our merry, merry guests, so truly welcome here! And a brimming bumper yet To our valiant little pet— The lively Clements Markham,[9] with its bold charioteer! Here’s a health to all true blue, To the officers and crew Who man this Expedition neat and handy, oh! And may they ever prove, Both in sledging and in love, That the tars of old Britannia are the dandy, oh! |
[1] Commander Markham’s sledge.
[2] Lieut. Aldrich’s sledge.
[3] Lieut. Parr’s sledge.
[4] Lieut. Giffard’s sledge.
[5] Dr. Moss’s sledge.
[6] Mr. White’s sledge.
[7] Lieut. May’s sledge.
[8] Lieut. Rawson’s sledge.