"FULL SPEED AHEAD!"
["The essential thing is that the party now in office has loyally followed the example of the party in opposition, and, 'neglecting party considerations, and provincial interests, has,' as the Civil Lord claimed for it, 'risen to the full height of its Imperial responsibilities.'"—The "Times" on the Navy Estimates.]
Britannia (cheerily). To "hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn,"
My Spencer, in this clear determined manner,
Is spirit-gladdening; showing you were born
To back my power and upbear my banner!
Triton-Spencer. You do me proud, Ma'am!
Rootle-tootle-too!
Foghorns not in it, eh? As for those sirens!—
Aha! Ulysses made a great to-do,
But by the blue brine that your coast environs
Our marine music beats'em out of sight!
Britannia. Especially now you blare so well together
You rival conch-performers. Ah! that's right.
Now I'm prepared for any sort of weather!
Triton-Spencer sings:—
Britannia's Sea-Lady-in-Chief,
Rootle-toot!
And I'm her First Lord, and a ripper.
Our chumminess passes belief,
Rootle-toot!
Lor! When she appointed me skipper
Some fancied I'd dawdle—at least, so they said—
Now they see that my motto is—Full Speed Ahead!
Georgie Hamilton there with his glass,
Rootle-toot!
Would spy out the flaws if there were any:
Eddard Reed wouldn't let blunders pass,
Rootle-toot!
They're critical coves, and won't spare any.
But bless'em, their scrutiny I do not dread.
My motto, you see, Ma'am, is—Full Speed Ahead!
Of course, that won't do in a fog,
Rootle-toot!
But I think there's a clear course afore us!
Give way to old-fashioned jig-jog?
Rootle-toot!
Nay, not by the mothers who bore us!
With a sharpish look-out, but without stint or dread,
We blow up our horn, Ma'am, for—Full Speed Ahead!
Old Nep may regard us with glee,
Rootle-toot!
Amphitrite may shout an "Ahoy," Ma'am.
If you're still on for Killing the Sea,—
Rootle-toot!
To back you in that I'm the bhoy, Ma'am.
By my heart ('tis true blue), by my beard (it is red),
My motto, Britannia, is—Full Speed Ahead!