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BABETTE'S LOVE.
71
"Skin-deep, and valued at a pin,
Is beauty such as Venus owns—
Her beauty is beneath her skin,
And lies in layers on her bones.
The other sailors of the crew,
They always calls her "Wapping Sue!"
"Oho!" the Captain said, "I see!
And is she then so very strong?"
"She'd take your honour's scruff," said he,
"And pitch you over to Bolong!"
"I pardon you," the Captain said,
"The fair Babette you needn't wed."
Perhaps the Customs had his will,
And coaxed the scornful girl to wed:
Perhaps the Captain and his Bill,
And William's little wife are dead;
Or p'raps they're all alive and well:
I cannot, cannot, cannot tell.
