The Death Of Captain Ward Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABB AACD EEFF GHBB EEII JJII KKLL MMNN BBKK OOKK BBPP QRSS TUVV WWXX YYZZ| 'Twas about the beginning of the past century | A |
| Billy Bowls was pressed into the British Navy | A |
| And conveyed on board the Waterwitch without delay | B |
| Scarce getting time to bid farewell to the villagers of Fairway | B |
| - | |
| And once on board the Waterwitch he resolved to do his duty | A |
| And if he returned safe home he'd marry Nelly Blyth his beauty | A |
| And he'd fight for old England like a jolly British tar | C |
| And the thought of Nelly Blyth would solace him during the war | D |
| - | |
| Poor fellow he little thought what he had to go through | E |
| But in all his trials at sea he never did rue | E |
| No the brave tar became reconciled to his fate | F |
| And felt proud of his commander Captain Ward the Great | F |
| - | |
| And on board the Waterwitch was Tom Riggles his old comrade | G |
| And with such a comrade he seldom felt afraid | H |
| Because the stories they told each other made the time pass quickly away | B |
| And made their hearts feel light and gay | B |
| - | |
| 'Twas on a Sunday morning and clear to the view | E |
| Captain Ward the attention of his men he drew | E |
| Look he cried There's two French men of war our right | I |
| Therefore prepare my lads immediately to begin the fight | I |
| - | |
| Then the Waterwitch was steered to the ship that was most near | J |
| While every men resolved to sell their lives most dear | J |
| But the French commander disinclined to engage in the fight | I |
| And he ordered his men to put on a press of canvas and take to flight | I |
| - | |
| Then Captain Ward gave the order to fire | K |
| Then Billy Bowls cried Now we'll get fighting to our hearts' desire | K |
| And for an hour a running fight was maintained | L |
| And the two ships of the enemy near upon the Waterwitch gained | L |
| - | |
| Captain Ward walked the deck with a firm tread | M |
| When a shot from the enemy pierced the ship yet he felt no dread | M |
| But with a splinter Bill Bowls was wounded on the left arm | N |
| And he cried Death to the frog eaters they have done me little harm | N |
| - | |
| Then Captain Ward cried Fear not my men we will win the day | B |
| Now men pour in a broadside without delay | B |
| Then they sailed around the St Denis and the Gloire | K |
| And in their cabin windows they poured a deadly fire | K |
| - | |
| The effect on the two ships was tremendous to behold | O |
| But the Frenchmen stuck to their guns with courage bold | O |
| And the crash and din of artillery was deafening to the ear | K |
| And the cries of the wounded men ware pitiful to hear | K |
| - | |
| Then Captain Ward to his men did say | B |
| We must board the Frenchman without delay | B |
| Then he seized his cutlass as he spoke | P |
| And jumped on board the St Denis in the midst of the smoke | P |
| - | |
| Then Bill Bowls and Tom Riggles hastily followed him | Q |
| Then hand to hand the battle did begin | R |
| And the men sprang upon their foe and beat them back | S |
| And hauled down their colours and hoisted the Union Jack | S |
| - | |
| But the men on board the St Denis fought desperately hard | T |
| And just as the St Denis was captured a ball struck Captain Ward | U |
| Right on the forehead and he fell without a groan | V |
| And for the death of Captain Ward the men did moan | V |
| - | |
| Then the first lieutenant who was standing near by | W |
| Loudly to the men did cry | W |
| Come men and carry your noble commander below | X |
| But there's one consolation we have beaten the foe | X |
| - | |
| And thus fell Captain Ward in the prime of life | Y |
| But I hope he is now in the better world free from strife | Y |
| But alas 'tis sad to think he was buried in the mighty deep | Z |
| Where too many of our brave seamen silently sleep | Z |
William Topaz Mcgonagall
(1)
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