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Of a comely countenance and grace was "Spaniards fraught with jealousy we often she,

find,

And by birth and parentage of high degree. But Englishmen throughout the world are

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"It would be a shame, fair lady,
For to bear a woman hence;
English soldiers never carry
Any such without offence."

"I will quickly change myself, if it be so, And like a page I'll follow thee, where'er thou go."

"I have neither gold nor silver
To maintain thee in this case,
And to travel, 'tis great charges,
As you know, in every place."

Thou hast set this present day my body "My chains and jewels every one shall be free,

thine own,

But my heart in prison strong remains with And eke ten thousand pounds in gold that

thee."

lies unknown."

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THE SEAMAN'S HAPPY RETURN.

Though battle call me from thy arms,

Let not my pretty Susan mourn; Though cannons roar, yet safe from harms, William shall to his dear return. Love turns aside the balls that round me fly, Lest precious tears should drop from Susan's

eye.

The boatswain gave the dreadful word,
The sails their swelling bosom spread;
No longer must she stay aboard;

They kissed, she sighed, he hung his head. Her lessening boat unwilling rows to land: Adieu! she cries; and waved her lily hand.

JOHN GAY.

THE SEAMAN'S HAPPY RETURN.

WHEN Sol did cast no light, being darkened over,

And the dark time of night did the skies cover,

Running a river by, there were ships sailing,

A maid most fair I spied, crying and wailing.

Unto this maid I stept, asking what grieved her,

She answered me and wept, fates had de

ceived her:

My love is prest, quoth she, to cross the

ocean

219

Under one banner bright, for England's glory, Your love and I did fight-mark well my story;

By an unhappy shot we two were parted; His death's wound then he got, though valiant-hearted.

All this I witness can, for I stood by him, For courage, I must say, none did outvie him;

He still would foremost be, striving for honour;

But Fortune is a cheat,―vengeance upon her!

But ere he was quite dead, or his heart broken,

To me these words he said, Pray give this token

To my love, for there is than she no fairer; Tell her she must be kind and love the bearer.

Intombed he now doth lye in stately manner, 'Cause he fought valiantly for love and hon

our.

That right he had in you, to me he gave it; Now since it is my due, pray let me have it.

She, raging, flung away like one distracted, Not knowing what to say, nor what she

acted.

So last she cursed her fate, and showed her

anger,

Proud waves to make the ship ever in motion. Saying, Friend, you come too late, I'll have

We loved seven years and more, both being sure,

But I am left on shore, grief to endure.

He promised back to turn, if life was spared him,

no stranger.

To your own house return, I am best pleased Here for my love to mourn, since he's de

ceased.

In sable weeds I'll go, let who will jeer me; With grief I daily mourn death hath de- Since death has served me so, none shall

barred him.

come near me.

Straight a brisk lad she spied, made her ad- The chaste Penelope mourned for Ulysses,

mire,

A present she received pleased her desire.

I have more grief than she, robbed of my blisses.

Is my love safe, quoth she, will he come near I'll ne'er love man again, therefore pray hear me?

me;

The young man answer made, Virgin, pray I'll slight you with disdain if you come near

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