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88 SONGS AND BALLADS |
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THE ALGIERS SLAVE'S RELEASEMENT; OR, THE UNCHANGEABLE BOAT-SWAIN.
No pain 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 ne'r would change ; like a true lover he Indur'd his fetters and his chains, and Betty's captive be.
To the Tune of Awake, oh my Cloris !
Of a constant young seaman a story I'le 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 I'm 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 life's end.
' No torture nor pain shall make me forsake Nor flye from my reason for my Betty's sake; I do slight all the torments bestow'd by the Turk When I think on my dear, and in gallies do work.
' But [tho'] a renegado to make me they strive, I'le never consent to 't whilst I am alive, But will a couragious true Protestant be : I'le be true to my faith and be constant to thee. |
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