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<center><strong><font size="+2">Ascrimshontering</font></strong><br>
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<small><small><em>Note:</em> Based on the journal (1842)<br> of LI
seaman George Babcock.</small></small></center>
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<p>In company with a ship from Sag Harbor,<br>
see a gam of spurm whale and chase them<br>
but cannot ketch them for there wild as deers<br>
(the old man is afraid of his own shadow)<br>
lower three times and start four a them<br>
and not dart none and then back on board<br>
we must pull ourselves about for hard work<br>
all day long, and at night we stand a watch<br>
and tell sum yarns to pass away the time<br>
and sing tunes, <i>Lady love, welcome me home …</i></p><i>
<p>Here's our luck: think we are seein land,<br>
and we are seein one seal and kelp.</p>
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<p><font size="-1"><br><em>P.S.</em> On sighting Long Island after two years at sea,<br>
Babcock said he felt "happy as a clam at hay water."</font></p>
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