At length, almost in fun, The English let off a single gun. At the first bang, Down on the deck went Admiral Kwang, For mercy his forces lustily sang, While some of them overboard sprang. The Admiral then went home like a shot To ruminate on the affair; and he thought it, On the whole, decidedly better not Just as it happened to report it. For the Emperor's a sort of man Who, whether they can't or whether they can, Expects the troops who receive his pay, On all occasions to win the day; And so he was told, In language glorious, That his admiral bold Had been victorious. By way of a prize He received a feather So the Chinese guards took him in state To the city of Canton's gate, And shewed him politely in To Commissioner Lin; And the English merchants remonstrance made Against interrupting the opium trade. |