Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Steamships, Progress, Politics, War

    Begins with the poet describing how 'Ben' (Benjamin Disraeli) explained to him that in the days of Horatio Nelson, ships were made from oak and canvas and there was 'no Armstrong gun', even though many a 'tough sea-fight' was won. The poet replied that although 'sail give way to screw' and guns now 'be made of longer range, / Our tars are still True Blue', and should war break out they still 'have hearts as stout' as before.