A Ballad of Old and New

Cicely Fox Smith

As I went down through Portsmouth Town, with my bundle in my hand,
I met a chap in a pigtail rig, just newly come to land;
I met a fellow of an old-style build, with a look both bold and free, —
With varnished hat and buckled shoes, like the men of the Old Navee.

...

As I went down through Portsmouth Town, a cold rain falling fast,
I saw the flap of old Victory's flag, where she dreams of victories past,
And this was the word the salt wind bore that blew from the English sea:
"Be it steam or sail, you weather the gale by the New as the Old Navee!"

[Extract]

Poetry Atlas has a number of poems about Portsmouth. And many more poems about Hampshire.