I'd shun her paths, upon thy mouth to dwell,

More sweet than powder which the merchants sell: O solace me with kisses pure like thine!

Enjoy, ye Lords! the wanton concubine.

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The spring now calls us forth; come, Sister! come, To see the primrose and the daisy bloom.

Let ceremony bind the worldly pair,

Sisters esteem the Brethren's word sincere.

TABIT. Espousals are but forms. O lead me hence, For secret love can never give offence.

Then hand in hand the loving mates withdraw. True love is nature unrestraind by law.

This tenet all the holy sect allows;

So Tabitha took earnest of a spouse.

110

SONGS AND BALLADS.

SWEET WILLIAM'S FAREWELL TO BLACK-EY'D SUSAN.

A BALLAD.

I.

ALL in the Downs the fleet was moor'd,
The streamers waving in the wind,
When Black-ey'd Susan came aboard:
Oh! where shall I my truelove find!
Tell me, ye jovial Sailors! tell me true,
If my sweet William sails among the crew.

II.

William, who high upon the yard
Rock'd with the billow to and fro,
Soon as her well-known voice he heard,
He sigh'd, and cast his eyes below:

The cord slides swiftly thro' his glowing hands,
And (quick as lightning) on the deck he stands.

So the sweet lark, high-pois'd in air,
Shuts close his piníons to his breast,
(If chance his mate's shrill call he hear)
And drops at once into her nest.

The noblest captain in the British fleet

Might envy William's lip those kisses sweet,

Volume II.

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IV.

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.

V.

Believe not what the landmen say,

Who tempt with doubt thy constant mind;
They'll tell thee sailors, when away,
In ev❜ey port a mistress find.

Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so,
For thou art present wheresoe'er I go..

VI.

If to far India's coast we sail,

Thy eyes are seen in di'monds bright,

Thy breath is Afric's spicy gale,
Thy skin is ivory, so white.

Thus ev'ry beauteous object that I view

Wakes in my soul some charm of lovely Sue.

VII..

Tho' battle call me from thy arms,

Let not my pretty Susan mourn;

Tho' 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.

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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 less'ning boat unwilling rows to land:
Adieu! she cries, and wav'd her lily hand.

Oh! how chang'd the prospect grows!
Flocks and herds to fops and beaus,

Gay.]

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Coxcombs without number!

Moon and stars that shone so bright,
To the torch and waxen light,

And whole nights at ombre.

IV.

Pleasant as it is to hear
Scandal tickling in our ear,
Ev'n of our own mothers;
In the chit-chat of the day,
To us is paid when we're away
What we lent to others.

V.

Tho' the fav'rite toast. I reign,

Wine they say that prompts the vain,
Heightens defamation.

Must I live 'twixt spite and fear,
Ev'ry day grow handsomer,
And lose my reputation?

VI.

Thus the fair to sighs gave way
Her empty purse beside her lay:
Nymph! ah, cease thy sorrow.
Tho' curs'd Fortune frown to-night,
This odious town can give delight
If you win to-morrow.