Two Greenwich Pensioners sitting in the garden of a tavern, near the Hospital, a woman behind listening to them, another Pensioner in the distance on the right. Mezzotint, 1791.

London (No. 53 Fleet Street) : Robert Sayer, 22 March 1791.

1 print : mezzotint ; image 28 x 25 cm

The Greenwich Pensioner. Lettering continues: 'Twas in the good ship Rover, / I sailed the world around, / And for three years and over, / I never touch'd British ground. / At last in England landed. / I left the roaring main, / Found all relations stranded, / And went to sea again. / That time bound strait to Portugal, / Right fore and aft we bore; / But when we made Cape Ortugal, / A gale blew off the shore, / She lay, so did it shook her; / A log upon the main, / till saved from Davy's locker, / We put to sea again. / Next in a frigate sailing / Upon a squally night, / Thunder and lightning hailing / The horrors of the fight, / My precious limb was lopped off, / I, when they eased my pain, / Thanked God I was not popped off, / And went to sea again. / Yet still I am enabled / To bring up in life's rear, / Although I'm quite disabled, / And lie in Greenwich tier, / The King, God bless his royalty; / Who saved me from the main, / I'll praise with love and loyalty; / But ne'er to sea again. Bears number: "262"

Wellcome Collection 31286i