Brave Captain Webb!

Lord Byron swam the Hellespont, and Leander did the same,
Bold J. B. Johnson struggled hard to win aquatic fame; 
Captain Boyton in his suit, has floated like a duck,
But Captain Webb eclipsed them all, with manly British pluck.

Captain Webb has swum the Channel, Captain Webb so brave.
Proud are we of such as he, who dared the angry wave;
Though he found his strength was failing, at the lowest ebb,
Yet his pluck was all prevailing, gallant Captain Webb.

Twas Wednesday, August twenty-fifth, and near the noon-tide hour,
When Webb, he dived, from Dover Pier, to prove his wonderous power;
O'ercoming ev'ry obstacle he boldly did advance,
Until his feet they rested on the distant shore of France.

The greatest swimmer in the world, distinguished he will be,
And oft has he deserved our thanks for saving life at sea;
In fact, throughout his whole career, it is well understood,
That his has been a noble life, a life of doing good.

Since Captain Webb's exhibited such courage, strength and skill,
He should be well rewarded, and I really hope he will; 
For deeds of daring in this age, are few and far between.
And such acts as Webb's, the world before had never keen.