The Praise of Saylors is here set forth.
With the hard fortunes, which do befall them on the Seas, when the Landmen sleep
in their Beds. To a pleasant new Tune.
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A S I lay musing in my bed
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full warm and well at ease,
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I thought upon the Lodgings hard,
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poor Sailors had 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 times constrain'd they are,
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for to cut down 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 board with speed,
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and seek their lives to save.
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when as the raging seas do foam,
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and lofty Winds do blow,
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The saylors they go to the top,
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when Landmen stay below.
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Our Masters Mate takes Helm in hand,
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his course he steers full well:
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When as the lofty winds do blow,
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and raging seas do swell.
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Our Master to his Compass goes,
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so well he plies his charge,
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He sends a Youth unto the Maid,
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for to unsling the Yard.
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The Bowson he'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 Pylot he stands on the Chain,
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with a line and lead to sound,
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To see how far and near they are
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from any dangerous ground.
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It is a testimonial good,
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we are not far from [l]and:
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T[h]ere sits a Mermaid on the Rock,
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with Comb and glass in hand.
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Our Captain he is on the Poop,
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a man of might and power,
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And looks how raging Seas do gape,
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[?]ough [?]odies to devour.
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O Ur Royal Ship is run to Rack,
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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 sink or swim.
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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 grown 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 Pump amain,
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to keep their leakt ship free.
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And many dangers likewise they
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do many times endure,
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When as they meet their Enemies
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that comes with might and power,
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And seek their lives likewise to take,
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their lives and eke their goods,
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The Saylors they likewise endure,
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upon the surging Floods.
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But when as they do come to land,
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and homewards do return,
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They are most good-fellows all,
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and scorn ever to mourn.
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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 saylors they are honest men,
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and love to pay their Host.
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For saylors they are honest men,
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and they do take great pains,
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When Land-men and rustling Lads,
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do rob them of their gains.
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Our saylors they work night and day,
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their man-hood for to try,
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When landed men and rusling jacks,
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do in their Cabins lye.
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Therefore let all good minded men,
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give ear 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 sake,
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in token of good-will,
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If ever I can do 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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