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EBBA 31613

British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
To its own proper Tune

The CAPING TRADE

COme all brave Boyes oth Caping
This staitly Vessel well invade,
Well pin her Cargo to her Load,
No Quarters well afford her:
But standing Stout is still brave Fate,
Altho our Seas be rough of late.
Come Helm-a-lee and low your Top.
Ile lay my Life Ill board her.

The first Attempt may prove in vain,
Altho it be neither Blot nor Stain;
For the Brave may lose as well as gain,
Well do it with Bravados:
Well wheel about, and undertake
To bord her under Quarter-deck,
With Blunderbush and ported Pick
And with two Hand Granados,

Cheer up anone, your mad to think
That your in danger for to Sink,
But with Broadside closs to her clink,
Deal Thumps and turn all over;
Your Bline may split upon her Stars,
If you receive no greater Harm,
your Hearts being warm
Then a Cup of Brandy,
will soon that loss recover,

I have been at the Caping Trade.
And Forraign Blood I oft have shed;
But it is true what of Old was said,
True honours got by Danger.
Ill stay at home put up my Pick,
No Prizes more will to me stick;
For a stately Vessels beat me back,
Im sures was in all England.

Declining dayes comes one a pace,
How dare I look my Enemy in th Face,
When I came off with great Disgrace;
For lake of store of Powder?
My Ammunitions spent and gone,
My little Guns scarce half foot long,
And two little Balls are scarce worth one.
So Im no more for Boarding,

All you that Caping take in hand.
See that your Men they stout do stand,
The Souldiers all at your Command,
To fire at once make ready,
Stand to it then for evermore,
See that your Loss be not before;
Stile first a Gun to the Cabine Door;
Faint heart neer wan fair Lady.


FINIS.

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