The Couragious SEAMAN;
OR,
His Farwel to his Sweet-heart, resolving to Fight in the Defence of his King
and Country. To the Tune of, Touch of the Times. Licensed according to Order.
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A Dieu, my dear Part'ner in all my past joys,
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Adieu to Loves pleasures and amorous toys;
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More noble Encounters I now must pursue,
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At Sea a good Subject and Marriner shew:
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The Frenchmen do boast of their Fleet & their Guns,
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Their great Men of War of nine hundered Tuns;
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Then 'twere a great shame for stout Seamen to sleep
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While Monsieur is Riding the Ocean so deep.
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O break not my heart, then reply'd the fair Maid,
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The Sea has such dangers as makes me afraid
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I never shall see my dear Lover again,
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Or hear any tydings, but that you are slain;
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'Mongst Bullets and Fire there's few that escapes,
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And Death waits upon you in various shapes;
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Then prithee, my Dearest, don't from me depart,
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For thou art the only true joy of my heart.
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Away with vain fears, then the Marriner cry'd,
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True valour must always in danger be try'd;
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I fear neither Bullets, nor Fire, nor Sword,
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But heartily wish I were with them on board:
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A Bowl of good Punch shall brave Courage inspire,
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While on the proud Frenchmen our Broadsides we fire,
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Our Trumpets and Fifes they shall warble and sound,
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And thund'ring loud Cannons their Eccho's rebound.
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O talk not of Cannons, my Dearest, said she,
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I tremble to think how the Bullets will flee,
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And how your brave limbs may in pieces be torn,
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I then shall bewail me that e're I was born:
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My Life and my Limbs I will freely expose,
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And Manfully fight against King Williams foes,
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Then think not to melt me with sighs and with tears,
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Or soften my heart with your Womanish fears:
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Methinks I do hear our all-conquering Fleet,
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With joy under Sail, the French Navy to meet,
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They hallow and shout, and do merrily sing,
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And in jolly Punch drink a Health to the King:
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Then how can I lazily tarry behind?
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When honour invites with a prosperous wind:
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She yeilded and fairly she gave her consent,
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As if her tongue spoke what her heart never meant.
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Since dying mens groans and the Clamours of War
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To thy valiant heart more delectable are,
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Then soft and more charming engagements of Love,
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And amorous pleasure we taste in the Grove:
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Go, go, cruel Man, and may Heaven defend
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Your person from dangers, that threaten your end:
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He kiss'd and embrac'd her a thousand times o're,
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And that he'd be constant for ever he swore.
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No distance nor absence can alter my mind,
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By Sea and by Land to my love I'll be kind:
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In the Heat of the Battel I'll think of my Dear,
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And that very thought my tyr'd Spirits will chear:
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She answer'd with loving expressions again,
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To thee I'll be faithful, when thou'rt on the Main;
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By day when awake and by Night when asleep,
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I'll think, and shall Dream of my Love on the deep.
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Thus Billing and Kissing, and all the soft things,
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As parting endearments and breaking of Rings:
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Employ'd the two Lovers until the day came
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That he must take leave of the sorrowful Dame:
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She wish'd him good Fortune and happy success,
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And pray'd the kind Heavens her Seaman to bless;
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And safe to her Arms her beloved restore,
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That she might embrace and enjoy him once more.
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FINIS.
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