Who, in buying his big guns,
Very often by the nose was deftly led, led, led.
For when he fired them first
They did everything but burst,
Though guaranteed by Whitehall's Naval head, head, head!
So when by foes defied
At length in action tried
'Tis found that they won't fire a single shot, shot, shot.
Let us hope, at any rate,
Though the Nemesis come late,