 Volume IX. Tragedy: Humor.  1904. Humorous Poems: II.
Miscellaneous Little Billee William Makepeace Thackeray
(1811–1863) THERE were three sailors of Bristol City   Who took
a boat and went to sea, But first with beef and captain’s
biscuits   And pickled pork they loaded she. There was gorging
Jack, and guzzling Jimmy,        5   And the youngster he was
little Billee; Now when they ’d got as far as the Equator,
  They ’d nothing left but one split pea. Says gorging Jack to
guzzling Jimmy,   “I am extremely hungaree.”        10 To
gorging Jack says guzzling Jimmy,   “We ’ve nothing left, us
must eat we.” Says gorging Jack to guzzling Jimmy,   “With one
another we shouldn’t agree! There ’s little Bill, he ’s young
and tender,        15   We ’re old and tough, so let ’s eat he.”
“O Billy! we ’re going to kill and eat you,   So undo the button
of your chemie.” When Bill received this information,   He used
his pocket-handkerchie.        20 “First let me say my catechism
  Which my poor mother taught to me.” “Ma