THE
Sea-man's Complaint
FOR
His Unkind Mistress
Of Wapping.
Tune of, I love you dearly, I love you well: Or, Languishing Swain.
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WHen I went early in the spring,
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On Board a ship to serve the King,
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I left my dearest Love behind,
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Who said her heart for e're was mine.
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Her Love appear'd most true to be,
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And she on board would go with me,
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She went as far as the Boy i'th' Nore,
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And then return'd back to the shore.
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Oft-times I hug'd her in my Arms,
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I thought she had a thousand Charms,
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Our vows we bound with kisses sweet,
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To Marry next time we did meet.
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A golden Chain I did present,
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She seemed very well content,
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She sigh'd, and said, it breaks my Heart,
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To think my love and I must part.
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While I was sailing on the Sea,
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I took all opportunity,
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To send Letters unto my Dear,
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But yet from her I ne're could hear.
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When we were Booming of a Town,
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Where Cannon-balls flew up and down,
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I'th' worst of all those Dangers there,
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My thoughts was still upon my Dear.
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But since we are returned home,
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My Love I went to wait upon,
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Who did in Wapping dwell of late,
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And now has made me unfortunate.
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For when I to her Father came,
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And ask'd for my Love by her Name,
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Her Father churlishly did cry,
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Sir, all your Love she does defie.
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Said I, what mean you Sir by this?
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To tell you true, she wedded is,
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To a rich old Man for all her life,
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And you may look for another wife.
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Curst on all false love where e're it be,
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A curse on all such Perjury:
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A curse on those who e're do make
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Or break a Vow for Riches sake.
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A curse on gold and silver too,
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A curse upon that Miser, who
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Has made his Daughter change her mind,
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Oh! womens tongues are like the wind.
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Adieu all comfort of my life,
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Adieu the Pleasures of a wife;
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Adieu all false hearts here on shore,
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For I will ne're see England more.
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I'll go where Bombs and Cannons play,
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Where they ne'er cease both night nor day
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I'll range the seas until I die,
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Where waves are tossing mountains high.
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Since I have lost my hearts delight,
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I bid unto the world good night,
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I'd rather be where Bullets fly,
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Than in a womans company.
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