BEN MAINSAIL'S INVITATION. Tune—Life's like a sea

Luff, luff, my lads the gale increases, While we scud before the wind; Reef the mainsail, 'till it ceases, While she floats, boys, never mind. On the larboard tack we venture, And behold a craggy shore, As the destin'd port we enter, While the raging billows roar.

True to honor and to duty, All such maxims sailors boast, Yet we drink to love and beauty, And can give the seaman's toast: "Wives and sweethearts," on the ocean, We all swig it to a man; Fearing danger's all a notion, Let us booze the flowing can.

The boatswain piping, loudly thunders, To your quarters sore and aft; The great guns spunge, prepare for wonders, While, my lads the wind's abaft: With grape, we can nine pounders rattle, Naval heroes drink and sing; He that bravely falls in battle, Gains more honor than a king: