Spitzbub doesn't have the slightly archaic flavor of blaggard, and is more playful--
rascal, rogue, scamp. It can be used to refer to kids. Translating it as blaggard does
fit the character of the captain, but that "Talk like a pirate-day" tone is not in the
original.
I don't understand why three different expressions have been used to translate
the same crucial word: "Meeresstille" --"calm sea", "sea becalmed", "placid ocean".
I also don't understand why "kluge" (clever) has been rendered as "saucy".
And I do agree with the objections to "kipper".
Nonetheless, the translation is fun take on a fun poem.
Martin
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