THE SALUTE.,
[To um EDITOR OP THE SPECTATOR:I STE,—I do not know who wrote these verses, but they were given to his wife by one whom I was proud to call my son-in-law, and who went down with all his comrades in H.M.S. Defence ' on May 31st. They serve, I think to show the spirit which inspired-them all, knowing full well for:the last two years what, when the day of battle should come at last, their fate was likely to be when thrown into the fight against superior armaments, and-led-by a dauntless and intrepid-Admiral=
I am, Sir, ho., A. CONYERS Barn. 22 Cotlesmore Gardens, Kensington, W.
" The, SALUTE.
He was a British sailor, And he stood the decks between, And Doty came and called him, With smiling face and mien. Said Duty : ` Are you ready, You may have to fight and die ? And he touched his cap, saluting, And answered : Aye, Sir, aye.'
He was a British sailor, And the guns were booming lend, And Danger came and spoke to him. He stood erect and proud. Said Danger : Are youready To put ease and safety by ? • And he touched his cap, saluting, And answered : Aye, Sir, aye.'
He was a British sailor, And the foe her shots got home, And Death came near and spoke to him, The ship reeled thro' the foam. And Death said : Are you ready
For the death that sailors die Y '
And he touched his cap, saluting, And answered ' Aye, Sir, aye.' He was a British sailor, And the ship was settling fast, And the sailor's God came near to him And spoke to him, the last. And God said : Are you ready To meet Eternity ? ' And he bowed his knee, saluting, And answered : ' Aye, Sir, aye.' "
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