BALLAD. (Bleak was the morn when William left…)

Bleak was the morn when William left his Nancy, The fleecy snow frown'd on the whiten'd shore, Cold as the fears that chill'd her dreary fancy, While she her sailor from her bosom tore;

To his fill'd heart a little Nancy pressing, While a young tar the ample trowsers ey'd, In need of firmness, in this state distressing, Will check'd the rising sigh, and fondly cried,

Ne'er fear the perils of the fickle ocean, Sorrow's a notion, Grief all in vain; Sweet love take heart, For we but part In joy to meet again.

Loud blew the wind, when leaning on that willow Where the dear name of William printed stood, When Nancy saw, toss'd by a faithless billow, A ship dash'd 'gainst a rock that topp'd the flood:

Her tender heart with frantic sorrow thrilling, Wild as the storm that howl'd along the shore, No longer could resist a stroke so killing, 'Tis he! she cried, nor shall I see him more!

Why did he ever trust the fickle ocean? Sorrow's my portion, Misery and pain! Break my poor heart, For now we part, Never to meet again.

Mild was the eve, all nature was smiling, Four tedious years had Nancy pass'd in grief, When, with her children the sad hours beguiling, She saw her William fly to her relief.

Sunk in his arms with bliss he quickly found her, But soon return'd to life, to love, and joy, While her grown young ones anxiously surround her, And now Will clasps his girl, and now his boy:

Did I not say, though 'tis a fickle ocean, Sorrow's all a notion, Grief all in vain? My joy how sweet, For now we meet, Never to part again!