Dibdin's Museum, &c, SONG

What cheer my dear Poll—did'nt I tell you as how, That perhaps I may laughing come back; Now you plainly perceive that my words have come true, So accept a salute from Poor Jack: My heart's rigg'd with truth, and my honesty tight, Not a strip of false colors I wear; And the compass of love has directed me right, To be blest with the charms of my fair: So d'ye see that the chaplain may splice us in one, Let me steer thee to Hymen's kind shore, For Jack is resolv'd until that shall be done, To depart from his Polly no more.

Let your fine courtly lubbers palaver and boast, Who ne'er sailed on sincerity's main, Let 'em cowardly skulk upon flattery's coast, Such buccanier swabs I disdain: It ne'er shall be said that Jack yet has to learn, How to guard such a consort as you; Do you think that I'll crowd canvass and drop you a-stern, No! shiver my jib if I do.— So now, my dear girl, let me take you in tow, Since again I'm safe anchor'd on shore; For unto 'fore my chaplain I've plighted my vow, I'll depart from my Polly no more.

Let the mild breeze of virtue still wast thee thro' life, By the helm of fair constancy steer, Nor the rocks, nor the shoals, nor the quick-sands of strife, Start my planks, if you ever need fear: 'Cause why, d'ye mind, while that little sweet youth, Sits smiling on watch up above, Can the tempest of fate snap the cable of truth, Or drag from the anchor of love: So coil up your doubts, my sweet charmer nor think, To be wreck'd on misfortune's lee shore; Should adversity board us, together we'll sink, And never to part any more.

O my ship-mates, remember, our Chaplain would say, (On his log-book he preach'd to us oft) There's a mighty Commander whom all must obey, That will order good Christians aloft: Then, avast my dear girl, swab the sights of your face, Don't let sniv'ling your pleasure annoy; O my timbers; I don't like such squalls to take place, On the smooth bosom'd ocean of joy: Bear a hand then, my love, with the current of bliss, Let's be stretching for Hymen's kind shore; For until we're united, depend upon this, I'll depart from my Polly no more.