EBBA 31990
University of Glasgow Library - Euing
Ballad XSLT Template
The Sea-mans Compass
OR
A dainty new Ditty composed and pend
The deeds of brave Sea-men to praise and commend,
Twas made by a Maid that to Gravesend did pass,
Now mark, and you quickly shall hear how it was:
To the Tune of, The Tyrant hath stoln.
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AS lately I travelled
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towards Gravesend,
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I heard a fair Damosel
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a Sea-man commend
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And as in a Tilt-boat
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we passed along
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In praise of brave Sea-men
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she sung this new Song
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Come Tradesman or Merchant,
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whoever he be
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Theres none but a Sea-man
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shall marry with me.
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A Sea-man in promise
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is faithful and just
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Honest in carriage
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and true to his trust
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Kind in behaviour
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and constant in love
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As firm in affection
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as the Turtle-Dove,
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Valiant in action
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in every degree
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Theres none but a Sea-man, etc.
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The Sea-men adventures
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their lives at the Seas
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Whilst land men on shore
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takes pleasure and ease
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The Sea-men at all times
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their businesse must ply
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In Winter and Summer
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in wet and in dry
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From toyl and pains taking
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they seldome are free
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Theres none but a Sea-man, etc.
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Moreover Ide have you
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for to understand
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That Sea-men brings treasure
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and profit to land
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Above and beneath ground
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for wealth they have sought
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And when they have found it
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to England tis brought
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With hazard of lives
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by experience we see
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Theres none but a Sea-man, etc.
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Sea-men from beyond Seas
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bring silver and gold
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With Pearls and rich Jewels
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most rare to behold
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With Silks and rich Velvets
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their credits to save
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Or else you gay Ladies
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could not go so brave
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This makes my heart merry
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as merry may be
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Theres none but a Sea-man
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shall marry with me.
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The second Part to the same Tune.
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THe Sea-men brings Spices
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and Sugar so fine
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Which serve the brave gallants
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to drink with their wine
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With Lemonds and Orenges
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all of the best
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To rellish their pallats
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when they make a feast
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Sweet Figs, Prunes & Raisons
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by them brought home be
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Theres none but a Sea-man
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shall marry with me.
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To comfort poor people,
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the Sea-men do strive
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And brings in maintainance
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to keep them alive
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As raw silk and cotten wool
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to card and to spin
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And so by their labours
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their livings comes in
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Most men are beholding
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to Sea-men we see
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With none but a Sea-man
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I married will be.
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The Mercers beholding
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we know well enough
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For Holland, Lawn, Cambrick,
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and other gay stuffe
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Thats brought from beyond seas
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by Sea-men so bold
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The rarest that ever
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mens eyes did behold
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God prosper the Sea-men
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where ever they be
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Theres none but a Sea-man
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shall marry with me.
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The Merchants themselves
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are beholding also
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To honest Sea-men
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that on purpose do go
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To bring them home profit
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from other strange lands,
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Or else their fine daughters
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must work with their hands
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The Nobles and Gentry
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of every degree
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Are also beholding
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to Sea-men we see.
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Thus for rich men & poor men,
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the Sea-men does good
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And sometimes comes off with
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loss of much blood
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If they were not a guard
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and defence for our land
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Our enemiee soon would get
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the upper hand
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And then in a woful case
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strait we should be
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Theres none but a Sea-man
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shall marry with me.
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To draw to conclusion
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and so make an end
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I hope that great Neptune
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my love will befriend
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And send him home safely
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with health and with life
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Then shall I with joyfulness
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soon be his wife
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You maids, wives, and widdows
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that Sea-mens loves be
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With hearts and with voices
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Joyn Prayers with me.
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God blesse all brave Sea men
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from quicksands and rocks
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From loss of their blood
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and from enemies knocks
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From lightning and thunder.
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and tempests so strong
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From ship wrack and drowning
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and all other wrong
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And they that to these words
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will not say, Amen.
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Tis pity that they should ever
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speak words agen.
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Finis. L.P.
London printed for F. G. on Snow-hill: Entred according to order.
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