The Composer and the Sea-Captain.
When Haydn, the composer, was in London, he had several whimsical adventures, and the following is one of them:—A captain in the Navy came to him one morning, and asked him to compose a march for some troops he had on board, offering him thirty guineas for his trouble, but requiring it to be done immediately, as the vessel was to sail next day for Calcutta.
As soon as the captain had gone, Haydn sat down to the pianoforte, and the march was ready in a few minutes. Feeling some scruples, however, at gaining his money so very easily, Haydn wrote two other marches, intending first to give the captain his choice, and then to make him a present of all the three, as a return for his liberality.
Next morning the captain came and asked for his march.
“Here it is,” said the composer.
The captain asked to hear it on the pianoforte; and having done so, laid down the thirty guineas, pocketed the march, and walked away.
Haydn tried to stop him, but in vain—the march was very good.
“But I have written two others,” cried Haydn, “which are better—hear them and take your choice.”
“I like the first very well, and that is enough,” answered the captain, pursuing his way downstairs.
Haydn followed, crying out, “But I make you a present of them.”