The praise of Sailors, heere set forth, with their hard
fortunes which doe befall them on the Seas, when
Land-men sleepe safe in their Beds.
To a pleasant new tune.
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AS I lay musing in my bed,
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full warme and well at ease,
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I thought upon the lodging hard
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poore Sailors have at Seas.
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They bide it out with hunger and cold,
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and many a bitter blast,
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And many a time constrain'd they are
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for to cut downe their Mast,
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Their victuals and their Ordinance,
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and ought else that they have,
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They throw it over-boord with speed,
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and seeke their lives to save.
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When as the raging Seas doe fome,
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and loftie winds doe blow,
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The Saylors they goe to the top,
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when Land-men stay below.
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Our Masters Mate takes Helme in hand,
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his Course he steeres full well,
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When as the loftie winds doe blow,
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and raging Seas doe swell.
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Our Master to his Compasse goes,
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so well he plies his charge:
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He sends a Youth to the Top amaine,
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for to unsling the Yeards.
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The Boatson hee's under the Deck,
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a man of courage bold;
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To th'top to th'top, my lively Lads,
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hold fast my hearts of gold.
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The Pilot he stands on the Claine,
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with Live and Lead to sound,
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To see how farre and neere they are
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from any dangerous ground.
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It is a testimoniall good,
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we are not farre from land,
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There sits a Mermaid on the Rocke,
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with Combe and Glasse in hand.
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Our Captaine he is on the Poope,
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a man of might and power,
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And lookes when raging Seas doe gape
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our bodies to devoure.
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Our royall Ship is runne to racke,
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that was so stout and trim,
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And some are put unto their shifts,
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either to sinke or swim.
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The Second Part. To the same tune.
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OUr Ship that was before so good,
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and eke likewise so trim,
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Is now with raging Seas growne leakt,
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and water fast comes in.
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The Quarter master is a man,
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so well his charge plies he,
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He calls them to the Pumpe amaine,
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to keepe their leake-ship free.
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And many dangers likewise they
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doe many times endure,
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When as they meet their enemies,
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that come with might and power;
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And seeke likewise from them to take
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their lives and eke their goods:
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Thus Saylors they sometimes endure,
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upon the surging floods.
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But when as they doe come to Land,
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and homewards safe returne,
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They are most kinde good fellowes all,
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and scorne ever to mourne.
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And likewise they will call for Wine,
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and score it on the post:
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For Sailors they are honest men,
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and will pay well their Oast.
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For Saylors they be honest men,
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and they doe take great paines,
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When landed men and rusling lads,
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doe rob them of their games.
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Our Saylors they worke night and day,
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their manhood for to try,
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When landed men and rustling Jacks,
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doe in their Cabines lye.
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Therefore let all good minded men,
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give eare unto my Song,
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And say also as well as I,
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Saylors deserve no wrong.
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This have I done for Saylors sakes,
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in token of good will:
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If ever I can doe them good,
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I will be ready still.
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God bless them eke by Sea and land,
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and also other men;
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And as my Song beginning had,
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so must it have an end.
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