BALLAD. ('Twas in the good ship Rover)

'Twas in the good ship Rover I sailed the world around, And for three years and over I ne'er touch'd British ground;

At length in England landed, I left the roaring main, Found all relations stranded, And went to sea again.

That time bound straight to Portugal, Right fore and aft we bore; But, when we'd made Cape Ortugal, A gale blew off the shore:

She lay, so did it shock her, A log upon the main; Till, sav'd from Davy's locker, We put to sea again.

Next in a frigate sailing, Upon a squally night, Thunder and lightening hailing The horrors of the fight,

My precious limb was lopped off, I, when they'd eas'd my pain, Thank'd God I was not popped off, And went to sea again.

Yet still am I enabled Do bring up in life's rear, Although I'm quite disabled, And lie in Greenwich tier;

The king, God bless his royalty, Who saved me from the main, I'll praise with love and loyalty, But ne'er to sea again.