They 'scaped the vessels of the Fleet
By lavish use of paint;
The warships had to own defeat
With loud and long complaint.
But I cannot give you more than a selection from these noble verses. They continue in the same lofty strain until the good ship is warped safely in port. Then comes another dramatic change of tense. We are again on the quayside.
The night grows darker. All at once
An order sharp we hear—
The order waited for for months;
The motors come in gear.
Yes, I admit that this stanza is open to criticism on more than one count, but I would not have it changed. It bears the impress of red-hot inspiration.