The cord slides swiftly through his glowing hands, And quick as lightning on the deck he stands. So the sweet lark, high-poised in air, Shuts close his pinions to his breast, (If chance his mate's shrill call he hear) The noblest captain in the British fleet "O Susan, Susan, lovely dear, My vows shall ever true remain ; Let me kiss off that falling tear; We only part to meet again. Change as ye list, ye winds! my heart shall be The faithful compass that still points to thee. "Believe not what the landsmen say, Who tempt with doubts thy constant mind; They'll tell thee sailors, when away, In every port a mistress find : Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so, For thou art present wheresoe'er I go. "If to far India's coast we sail, Thy eyes are seen in diamonds bright, Thy breath is Afric's spicy gale, Thy skin is ivory so white: Thus every beauteous object that I view, Wakes in my soul some charm of lovely Sue. 66 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 kiss'd; she sigh'd; he hung his head : Her lessening boat unwilling rows to land: Adieu!" she cries, and waved her lily hand. ""TWAS WHEN THE SEAS." JOHN GAY. 'TWAS when the seas were roaring With hollow blasts of wind, A damsel lay deploring, All on a rock reclined. Wide o'er the foaming billows She cast a wistful look; Her head was crown'd with willows, That trembled o'er the brook. The merchant robb'd of pleasure, Sees tempests in despair; But what's the loss of treasure, To losing of my dear? Should you some coast be laid on, Where gold and diamonds grow, You'd find a richer maiden, But none that loves you so. How can they say that nature No eyes the rocks discover That lurk beneath the deep, To wreck the wandering lover, And leave the maid to weep. All melancholy lying, Thus wail'd she for her dear; Repaid each blast with sighing, Each billow with a tear. When o'er the white wave stooping His floating corpse she spied; Then, like a lily drooping, She bow'd her head, and died. |