'Twas a case of fight or flee,

When the captain cried in a resolute voice,

"Let us fight, my lads," cried he.

"Long have we panted to come to grips,

And here we shall gain our wish;

Moreover, I fancy that yonder ships

Have nothing on board but fish."

Then up spake a grizzled Goeben lad,

"We be far from land or fort;

I should feel more safe if I knew we had