To this address John deep attention paid; There was much policy in what he said: For the advice, his gratitude exprest, And in his mind he treasur'd up the rest. Thus mutually on future prospects counting, They Portsmouth reach, and rattle to the Fountain. A Chaise and Four creates a famous bustle-- Landlords and Waiters 'gainst each other hustle. Obsequiously the Landlord bows the way-- Expensive work, for every Bow you pay.[26] But more of that anon--all things arrang'd; The Dinner order'd, and apparel chang'd. John said, 'Dear Dad, we first must pay our Court 'To the great Naval Chieftain of the Port'; And slily whispering, 'It is my drift 'On board a Man-of-War to get a lift.' 'You must, my Boy; I fancy there are few come 'With so much wealth and power as Sir John _Newcome_.' The Admiral was civil and polite, And courteously receiv'd the worthy Knight. The Card announc'd his dignity full well, 'Twas Sir John _Newcome_, Knight, M.P., Pall Mall. The Admiral grew sociable and free, And very much increas'd his courtesy. 'My Son, a Captain of the Guards, intends 'Once more in Portugal to see his Friends: 'I would not suffer him to take this trip, 'You know, dear Admiral, in a common Ship.' 'Oh, by no means, Sir John, I'm pleased, I own; 'A Frigate soon will sail; 'tis the Pomone. 'Your Son on board can go when he has leisure, 'Carteret[27] I'm sure'll receive him with great pleasure; 'He'll find in him, you safely may depend, 'A thorough Seaman, Gentleman, and Friend.' Sir John express'd his hopes some future Day He might his kind civility repay. Should the good Admiral to Town repair, He hoped to see him in St. James's Square; Or should he some small object have in hand, His little interest was at his Command.
The time now pass'd in viewing every Sight, The Dock-yards, Ramparts, and the Isle of Wight. Our Knight, to help his memory, now wrote His observations down, by way of Note. The Lines, and Ramparts his attention takes, } The muddy Ditches, and the slimy Lakes. } Note[28]--'Guineas I'm sure were here made Ducks and Drakes.' } Then o'er the Dock-yard eagerly he pores, Surveys around the Barrels, Masts, and Stores. The Anchors, Rope-house, and the Piles of Staves; Note--'I'm sure these Fellows are a pack of Knaves. 'Sad Peculation here midst great and small, 'There's waste of Hemp enough to hang them all.' The Shoals of Vessels too, that lay in Ordinary, Our honest Knight considered most extraordinary. While of our Ships, the French did Prizes make, And at our Harbours' mouth our Vessels take. Note--'Something here was very much amiss; 'And were they not our _Friends_, should swing for this.' Not at this time a word he meant to say, But snugly kept it for some future Day.