The Wapping Lovers:
Or , A Pattern for S eamen.
Giving a true and perfect account of the Noble Loyal and Faithful Marriner, who being bound
to Sea, took his farewell of his true Love in this sorrowful manner as you shall hear, and like-
wise how unkindly she took his farewell, with he mournful lamentation for his departure.
To the Tune of, The English Travelers.
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M Y Dearest is grieves me,
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my Tale for to tell,
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Because I do know,
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thou dost love me full well:
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But the Fates are unkind,
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and do call me again,
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For to leave thee behind,
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and to Sail on the Main.
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Forbear O my Dear,
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and do not say so,
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I will not stay here,
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if to Sea thou dost go:
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I now for my Voyage
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with speed will provide,
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And I'le be thy Mess-Mate,
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what ever betide.
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No, no; my poor fair one,
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it cannot be so,
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The dangers on Sea,
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thou canst not undergoe,
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When the winds they do blow,
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and the Billows do roar,
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O then thou wilt wish,
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for to be on the shore,
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'Tis in vain to dispute,
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for I fully am bent,
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And I vow I will do't;
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for it is my intent:
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I'le cast out the Lead,
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and i'le steer at the Helm,
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For fear that the Ship
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with my love overwhelm.
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It sorely doth grieve me,
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I needs must confess,
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But while thou art safe,
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will my fears be the less;
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Our Ship she may founder,
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or else run a ground,
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And then should I fear,
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my true Love should be drown'd.
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That shall be my end,
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if I live on the shore,
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For when ever I hear
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I shall see thee no more,
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Into some deep river,
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with speed I will leap,
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And Swim to my true love,
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that lies in the deep,
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Perhaps false reports,
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thou at sometimes dost hear,
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Which may my love startle,
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and fill thee with fear:
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For thousands were said,
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to be sunk in the Main,
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Who were safe alive,
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and came well home again.
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'Twould be all one to me,
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wer't a fable or true,
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For the very report,
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would me certainly rue:
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For I ne're shall enjoy,
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one poor minute of bliss,
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If once there comes news,
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ne'r so litter amiss,
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Thy self do not frighten,
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with any such thing,
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'Tis not the first time,
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that at Sea I have been:
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But when Wapping-Old-Stairs ,
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I again come to see,
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There's nothing but death,
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shall part thee and me.
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Thus with Tears in his eyes,
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away from her he went,
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Her hands she did wring,
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and sadly lament,
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But though for his absence,
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she sigh'd all in vain,
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He made her amends,
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at his coming again.
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