Five British Ironclads cruising round the Nore:
Reed made a platform speech, and then there were Four!
Four British Ironclads ruling of the Sea:
Reed wrote unto the Times, and then there were Three!
Three British Ironclads buffeting the blue:
Reed had dyspepsia, and then there were Two!
Two British Ironclads, big in plate and gun:
Reed was snubbed by Brassey, and then there was One!
Oh, make him Chief Constructor once again, whate’er befall;
Or soon of British Ironclads we shall have—none at all!