 | Thomas and Sally : or, The Sailor's Return |  |
SCENE I.
The Sea Side.Enter Thomas, with Sailors
THOMAS.
RECITATIVE.
Avast, my boys, avast, all hands on shore,
Mess-mates, what cheer? Old England, hey! once more,
I'm thinking how the wenches will rejoice;
Out with your presents, boys, and take your choice.
I've an old sweetheart—but look—there's the town:
Weigh anchor, tack about, and let's bear down.
AIR.Mess-mates, what cheer? Old England, hey! once more,
I'm thinking how the wenches will rejoice;
Out with your presents, boys, and take your choice.
I've an old sweetheart—but look—there's the town:
Weigh anchor, tack about, and let's bear down.
From ploughing the ocean, and thrashing Mounseer,
In old England we're landed once more;
Your hands, my brave comrades, halloo boys, what cheer!
For a sailor that's just come a-shore?
In old England we're landed once more;
Your hands, my brave comrades, halloo boys, what cheer!
For a sailor that's just come a-shore?
Those hectoring blades thought to scare us, no doubt,
And to cut us, and slash us—Morblieu!
But hold there, avast, they were plaguily out,
We have slic'd them, and pepper'd them too.
And to cut us, and slash us—Morblieu!
But hold there, avast, they were plaguily out,
We have slic'd them, and pepper'd them too.
15
Then courage, my hearts, your own consequence know,
Yon invaders shall soon do you right;
The lion may rouse, when he hears the cock crow,
But should never be put in a fright.
Yon invaders shall soon do you right;
The lion may rouse, when he hears the cock crow,
But should never be put in a fright.
You've now laid aside your nonsensical jars,
Your damn'd party and idle contest;
Then let all your strife be, like us honest tars,
Who shall fight for his country the best.
Your damn'd party and idle contest;
Then let all your strife be, like us honest tars,
Who shall fight for his country the best.
A seafaring spark, if the maids can affect,
Bid the simpering gypsies look to't;
Sound bottoms they'll find us, in ev'ry respect,
And our pockets well laden to boot.
Bid the simpering gypsies look to't;
Sound bottoms they'll find us, in ev'ry respect,
And our pockets well laden to boot.
The landsmen, mayhap, in the way of discourse,
Have more art, to persuade and the like;
But 'ware those false colours, for better, for worse,
Is the bargain we're willing to strike.
Have more art, to persuade and the like;
But 'ware those false colours, for better, for worse,
Is the bargain we're willing to strike.
Now long live the king, may he prosperous reign,
Of no power, no faction afraid;
May Britain's proud flag still exult o'er the main,
At all points of the compass display'd.
Of no power, no faction afraid;
May Britain's proud flag still exult o'er the main,
At all points of the compass display'd.
16
No quicksands endanger, no storms overwhelm,
Steady, steady, and safe may she sail;
No ignorant pilots e'er sit at her helm,
Or her anchor of liberty fail.
Steady, steady, and safe may she sail;
No ignorant pilots e'er sit at her helm,
Or her anchor of liberty fail.
Exeunt.
| Thomas and Sally : or, The Sailor's Return | |