we had the precious example of many great Captains. We did
therefore heave to and burn many ships--the quality of those
engagements I do not set forth, not having a seaman's use of ship
speech, and despising, as a plain, blunt man, those who misuse it,
having it not.

But this I do know, that, having some conceit of a shipman's ways
and of pirates, I did conceive at this time a pretty song for my
comradoes, whereof the words ran thus:--


Yo ho! when the Dog Watch bayeth loud
In the light of a mid-sea moon!
And the Dead Eyes glare in the stiffening Shroud,
For that is the Pirate's noon!
When the Night Mayres sit on the Dead Man's Chest
Where no manne's breath may come--
Then hey for a bottle of Rum! Rum! Rum!
And a passage to Kingdom come!


I take no credit to myself for the same, except so far as it may
shew a touch of my Lord of Southampton's manner--we being intimate--
but this I know, that it was much acclaimed by the crew. Indeed
they, observing that the Captain was of a cruel nature, would fain
kill him and put me in his stead, but I, objecting to the shedding
of precious blood in such behoof, did prevent such a lamentable and
inhuman action by stealthily throwing him by night from his cabbin
window into the sea--where, owing to the inconceivable distance of
the ship from shore, he was presently drowned. Which untoward fate