"The Yarn of the Nancy Bell" is a darkly humorous narrative poem by W.S. Gilbert.
The poem begins with the poet encountering an elderly naval man who proclaims himself to be a cook, a captain, a mate of the "Nancy brig," a bo'sun, a midshipmite, and the crew of the captain's gig. The poet, intrigued and puzzled, asks how this is possible and the man proceeds .....