Boys, are ye calling a toast to-night? <br />(Hear what the sea-wind saith) <br />Fill for a bumper strong and bright, <br />And here's to Admiral Death! <br />He's sailed in a hundred builds o' boat, <br />He's fought in a thousand kinds o' coat, <br />He's the senior flag of all that float, <br />And his name's Admiral Death! <br /> <br />Which of you looks for a service free? <br />(Hear what the sea-wind saith) <br />The rules o' the service are but three <br />When ye sail with Admiral Death. <br />Steady your hand in time o' squalls, <br />Stand to the last by him that falls, <br />And answer clear to the voice that calls, <br />'Ay, Ay! Admiral Death!' <br /> <br />How will ye know him among the rest? <br />(Hear what the sea-wind saith) <br />By the glint o' the stars that cover his breast <br />Ye may find Admiral Death. <br />By the forehead grim with an ancient scar, <br />By the voice that rolls like thunder far, <br />By the tenderest eyes of all that are, <br />Ye may know Admiral Death. <br /> <br />Where are the lads that sailed before? <br />(Hear what the sea-wind saith) <br />Their bones are white by many a shore, <br />They sleep with Admiral Death. <br />Oh! but they loved him, young and old, <br />For he left the laggard, and took the bold, <br />And the fight was fought, and the story's told, <br />And they sleep with Admiral Death.<br /><br />Sir Henry Newbolt<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/admiral-death/
