Act 2 — FRANKIE'S TRADE

Old Horn to All Atlantic said: (A-hay O! To me O!') 'Now where did Frankie learn his trade? For he ran me down with a three-reef mains'le.' (All round the Horn!)

Atlantic answered:—'Not from me! You'd better ask the cold North Sea, For he ran me down under all plain canvas.' (All round the Horn!)

The North Sea answered:—'He's my man, For he came to me when he began— Frankie Drake in an open coaster. (All round the Sands!)

'I caught him young and I used him sore, So you never shall startle Frankie more, Without capsizing Earth and her waters. (All round the Sands!)

'I did not favour him at all. I made him pull and I made him haul— And stand his trick with the common sailors. (All round the Sands!)

'I froze him stiff and I fogged him blind. And kicked him home with his road to find By what he could see in a three-day snow-storm (All round the Sands!)

'I learned him his trade o' winter nights, 'Twixt Mardyk Fort and Dunkirk lights On a five-knot tide with the forts a-firing. (All round the Sands!)

'Before his beard began to shoot, I showed him the length of the Spaniard's foot— And I reckon he clapped the boot on it later. (All round the Sands!)

'If there's a risk which you can make. That's worse than he was used to take Nigh every week in the way of his business; (All round the Sands!)

'If there's a trick that you can try, Which he hasn't met in time gone by, Not once or twice, but ten times over; (All round the Sands!)

'If you can teach him aught that's new, (A-hay O! To me O!) I'll give you Bruges and Niewport too, And the ten tall churches that stand between 'em.' Storm along my gallant Captains! (All round the Horn!)