Who appeared to own the place.
"Ah!" thought Ernie, "I know you;
You're the luckless Captain who
(Though you hadn't then a beard)
Most unwillingly appeared
But a year ago or less
In the Illustrated Press."
"Tell me, Sir," the youngster cried,
Crossing to the Captain's side
Of the sacred quarterdeck--
"How did you contrive the wreck
Of the cruiser you commanded
When she bumped the beach and stranded?"

You may say, "He is so brave he
Ought some day to rule the Navy."
Certainly he _ought_, but still
I'm afraid he never will;
For they talked to him so gruffly
And they handled him so roughly
That, when he was fit to drop
And the kindly Bloke said, "Stop!
Or you'll make him even madder;
He is wiser now and sadder,"
Ernest simply answered, "Ay, Sir,
You have _made_ me sad; but why, Sir?"

* * * * *

ÆQUAM MEMENTO.