Ben Battle was a soldier bold, And used to war's alarms; But a cannon-ball took off his legs, So he laid down his arms.
Now as they bore him off the field, Said he, "Let others shoot; For here I leave my second leg, And the Forty-second Foot."
The army-surgeons made him limbs: Said he, "They're only pegs; But there's as wooden members quite As represent my legs."
Now Ben he loved a pretty maid,— Her name was Nelly Gray; So he went to pay her his devours, When he devoured his pay.
But when he called on Nelly Gray, She made him quite a scoff; And when she saw his wooden legs, Began to take them off.
"O Nelly Gray! O Nelly Gray! Is this your love so warm? The love that loves a scarlet coat Should be more uniform."
Said she, "I loved a soldier once, For he was blithe and brave; But I will never have a man With both legs in the grave.
"Before you had those timber toes Your love I did allow; But then, you know, you stand upon Another footing now."
"O Nelly Gray! O Nelly Gray! For all your jeering speeches, At duty's call I left my legs In Badajos's breaches."
"Why, then," said she, "you've lost the feet Of legs in war's alarms, And now you cannot wear your shoes Upon your feats of arms!"