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EBBA 30948

British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
THE
Algier Slaves Releasment:
OR, The Unchangeable Boat-wain.
No Prison like the Jayl of Love,
nor no such torments found;
To those that loyal mean to prove,
whose loves are firm and sound;
This loyal person ner would change,
like a true Lover he;
Indurd his Fetters and his Chains,
and Bettys Captive be.
To the Tune of, Awake, Oh my Cloris.

OF a Constant Young Seaman,
a Story Ile tell:
That I hope all true Lovers
will please very well:
All his cry was still, though
I continue a Slave;
Yet the want of my Dear.
is far worse than a Grave,

All the tedious long Night
in close Prison I lye;
But methinks I behold
my dear love lying by:

In the midst of my pains,
this doth still give me ease;
That is pleasant to me,
which some call a Disease.

Sometimes to the Gallies
Im forced to go;
Though amongst all my Fellows,
like a Slave I do Row:
And when I am spent
with this Labour and Pain;
The thoughts of my Love
doth revive me again.

ANd when with Strappadoes
sometimes I do meet:
I find little Pain,
if I think on my sweet:
Thus twixt Pleasure and Pain,
my time I do spend;
Yet vow to be Constant
unto my Lives end.

No Torture nor Prison
shall make me forsake,
Nor flye from my Reason,
for my Bettys sake:
I do slight all the Torments
bestowd by the Turk;
When I think on my Dear,
and in Gallies do work.

But a Renegado
to make me they strive;
Ile never consent tot,
whilst I am alive:
But will a Couragious
true Protestant be:
Ile be true to my faith,
and be constant to thee.

Ah Betty, when Billows
do Rage and do Roar,
For want of thy sight
I am troubled sore:
Whilst others are troubled
with terror and fear;
Yet I am cheard up
with the thoughts of my Dear.

No Prison is like
to the want of thy sight;

Which Locks up my bliss,
for thou art my Delight:
Though distant I am,
therefore only opprest:
Yet still my dear Betty
doth lodge in my breast.

In the midst of my sorrows,
whilst others do mourn;
Tis the want of my Love
that doth make me forlorn:
Yet would not enjoy thee
in this cursed place;
Though for want of thy Love,
my tears trickle apace.

But be of good cheer,
for every one knows,
Tis an ill Wind indeed
that no comfort blows.
And again I do hope
thee in England to see:
Then whol be so happy
as Betty and me.

And now thorough Providence,
I am returnd;
By Shipwrack I scapd,
for our Ship it was burnd:
No torment like mine was,
when I was a Slave:
For the want of my Betty,
was worse then a Grave.


FINIS.
Printed for J. Deacon, at the Rain-Bow
near Davids-Inn, in Holborn.

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