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1811–1863

THE RED FLAG.

William Makepeace Thackeray

Where the quivering lightning flings His arrows from out the clouds, And the howling tempest sings And whistles among the shrouds,

‘ Tis pleasant,‘ tis pleasant to ride Along the foaming brine — Wilt be the Rover's bride? Wilt follow him, lady mine?

Hurrah! For the bonny, bonny brine. Amidst the storm and rack, You shall see our galley pass,

As a serpent, lithe and black, Glides through the waving grass. As the vulture swift and dark, Down on the ring-dove flies,

You shall see the Rovers bark Swoop down upon his prize. Hurrah! For the bonny, bonny prize.

Over her sides we dash, We gallop across her deck — Ha! there's a ghastly gash On the merchant-captain's neck —

Well shot, well shot, old Ned! Well struck, well struck, black James! Our arms are red, and our foes are dead, And we leave a ship in flames!

Hurrah! For the bonny, bonny flames!

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THE RED FLAG. · William Makepeace Thackeray · Poetry Cove