Punch: Punch (91.1886)

206

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI._[October 30, 1886.

THE REAL SEA-SERPENT.

An o'ertrue Tale of the Queen's Navee. Admiral Dunderhead, loquitur :—

0 goodness, gr-raeious, mercy me!
"What is that spiralling out at sea ?
Sea-weed ? Nonsense ! Bottles ? No !
Porpoises gambolling all of a row ?
No such luck !^ Just look at its head!
Gr-r -r ! I shiver with horror and dread.
What, no cause for flurry or fear ?
Always turns up at this time o' the year ?

Admiral Fogey ! Admiral Fogey !
Don't be so sceptical. This is no bogey.
Look at its phiz, and cease to smile.
Don't I remember it out on the Nile ?
No. That is—there's a likeness—yes,
To Bekesfokd, whom all sailors bless ;
But then the expression ! Makes me pale.
And look at that length of horrible tail!

Pull, man, pull! I am nut mistaken.

My faith in the Kraken is not to be shaken.

Often laughed at it ? Ah! dare say,

But never met it this awful way.

" What Chabxey, Chaeley ? All very fine,

But genial gammon is not his line.

Tou may cluck like a frightened hen,

But it will not drive him back to his den.