7
⟨He⟩ is the darling of my heart, and him I do adore,
(illegible text) take this as your answer, and trouble me no more,
⟨Then⟩, says this gallant sailor, what was your true love's name,
⟨With⟩ that, and his description, I wish to know the same—
George Reily I do call him, a lad both neat and trim,
⟨Manly⟩ in his deportment, there's none can equal him.
⟨Madam⟩, I had a messmate, and Reily was his name,
⟨And⟩ as you have described him I think he is the same,
⟨three⟩ years we sail'd together, on board the Old Balflowr,
⟨and⟩ such a loyal comrade I never had before;
⟨'Twas⟩ in the month of April, nigh to Port Royal, we
Had a sore engagement—it lasted a whole day—
⟨Betwixt⟩ Rodney and Count de Grax, where many brave did fall,
⟨Your⟩ love became a victim to a cruel cannon ball;
While weltering in his blood your faithful lover lay,
With heavy sighs and broken heart, I did hear him to say
⟨Farewell⟩, my lovely Molly, O, were you standing by,
⟨would⟩ I gaze my last upon you, contented I would die.
⟨This⟩ melancholy story it wounded her full deep,
⟨She⟩ wrong her hands and tore her hair, most bitterly did weep,
Says she—my joys are ended, if all you told be true,
⟨Instead⟩ of having pleasure, my sorrows I'll renew.
