The Seamans Constancy,
Or, True-Lovers Fidelity.
Being an Account of a Young man in Wapping, who took his leave of his beloved Isabella, in
[this] sorrowful manner. Written with his own hand a little before he went to Sea. W.D.
To the Tune of, The Doubting Virgin. This may be Printed, R. L. S.
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Young-man.
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DEarest dear we must be parted,
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be not troubled at the same,
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I'le to thee prove Loyal-hearted,
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else I greatly were to blame:
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It doth grieve me for to leave thee,
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but I cannot it prevent,
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If Man more faithful, least deceitful,
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never from Old England went.
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Maid.
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Why should I then stay behind ye,
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and to Death in sorrow pine?
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I shall nothing do but mind thee,
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in my heart thou'rt wholly mine:
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In great anguish I shall languish,
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if you leave me on the Shore,
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My only Dear, I greatly fear,
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that I shall see thy face no more.
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Man.
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Chear up my Dear, and do not doubt it,
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why should'st thou create thy pain?
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'Tis better for you to believe it,
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all your Sighs are but in vain:
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To Sea I must, but don't mistrust
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that thy Love will prove unkind,
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For my delight is in thy sight,
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nothing but Death shall change my mind:
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Maid.
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I will as constant be to thee,
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as the Turtle's to his Mate,
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Constancy shall dwell within me,
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all false dealings I do hate:
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Lovers Kisses are great blisses,
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when their hearts are joyn'd in one,
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And then again as great a pain,
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as when Unconstancy is shown.
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Man.
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THou unconstant ne'r shall find me,
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let such thoughts ne'r trouble thee,
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In my absence I shall mind thee,
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in my heart thou shalt ever be:
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Be constant then, by Heaven it's meant,
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that we should both together come,
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And i'le compleat thy joys, my sweet,
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as soon as I'm returned home.
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Maid.
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Ev'ry blusting Storm will fright me,
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whilst thou art upon the Main,
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There is nothing can delight me,
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till thou dost return again:
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Nor shall I sleep, nor quiet keep,
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till I thy face again behold,
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And thou to me, more dear shalt be,
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then all the Mynes of Indian Gold.
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Man
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Ev'ry Roring Surging Billow,
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will put me in mind of thee,
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I could wish my self on thy Pillow,
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there delighted for to be:
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Altho' the Waves to some prove Graves,
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I hope they'l not do so to me,
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Do not complain, my only Swain,
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I'le come my Dear to Marry thee.
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Maid.
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I shall be with joy Transported,
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when again thy Face I see,
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And shall think how thou hast Courted,
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when thou wert some Leagues from me:
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Thy very Name will cause a flame
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to kindle in my tender Breast,
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Until I be Marry'd to thee,
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with sorrow I shall be possest.
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Man.
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O my Dear, talk not of Sorrow,
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it is a trouble for to hear,
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And my heart is pierced thorow,
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pray then banish all thy fear:
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And I protest, I do not jest,
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when I did love to thee pretend,
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I will be thine, and thou shalt be mine,
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and so remain till our lives end.
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Friendly these two Lovers parted,
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he unto the Ocean went,
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She was almost broken-hearted,
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in his absence did lament:
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He remained greatly pained,
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a Lover constant, firm, and true,
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Till he did come from the Streights home,
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his Lovers joys for to renew.
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FINIS.
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