A Business Transaction

Southland Times, Issue 13284, 10 August 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

A Business Transaction

To Amsterdam and its Commodore, Over his pipe and his eau-de-vie, A flibote skimming the Texel shore ■ Brought serious news for the Zuyder Zee: Forty sail of the Channel fleet, With a high-born Admiral of the Blue, Holland’s bravest had come to greet, And settle an ancient score or two. Frugal of speech was the Commodore. ‘I will meet their wishes,’ he briefly said, And straight to the offing his squadron bore, With a broom at the flag-ship’s mainmasthead. Quick to work, in a business way, Went old Van'Dam and his captains stout, Broadside for broadside, half the day; But the sturdy foemen still held out; Till about four bells in the afternoon The English suddenly ceased their fire, And Van Dam bailed : ‘Have you struck so soon ? Is the score then settled, may I inquire?’ ■ And the answer came : ‘No; we have not struck, But our powder is spent ; we can fight no more.’ ‘Ah, that is a matter of evil luck In a case like this,’ said the Commodore. Then he stroked his beard, and he closed his eyes : ‘ Twere a pity to mar so sweet a fight On a beggarly question of supplies. Diable ! it spoils one’s pleasure quite.’ • With the thrifty blood of his Holland sire A stream of a wariher fluid ran, From a Norman mother with heart of And the mother it is that makes the man.

‘To win or to lose,’ said the blood of France, ‘Were a problem simple as life or death; But to win by an enemy’s dull mischancel’ He damned the lubbers below his breath. Then: ‘Send me your boat aboard,’ he cried, ‘lf you will not strike and you cannot fight. Pity your stubborn bull-dog pride Should bark so loud, with so small a bite !’

The Admiral came in his gig of state; A captain by right of heritage. Favor had made him all but great, And Nature had never marred the page. Dutchman all was the Commodore At once when he saw his wondrous guest, ’ Marveling much and marveling more As he listed the visitor’s request. Never was such proposal made To sailor before, on land or sea : ’ ’Tis awkward to dabble in vulgar trade; But have you some powder to sell to me ?’

Dutch diplomacy struggled hard, But Gaelic chivalry won the day. The sale was made, and the bill was paid, And the guns went back to their pleasant play. 11l had it gone with the Commodore Had pluck or fortune deceived him then; Bat he fought as he never fought before, And he brought his investment back again. The great States-General, solemn folk, When old Van Dam came home next day With his prizes in tow, forgave the joke, Or never perceived it—who can say? James Jeffrey Roche.