5
A curious lesson teaches man—
The needle time may rub, a squall
Capsize the binnacle and all,
Let seamanship do all it can;
My love, in worth, shall higher rise,
Nor time shall rust, nor squalls cpasize
My faith and truth to lovely Nan.
When in the bilboes I was penn'd.
For serving of a worthless friend,
And every creature from me ran
No ship performing quarantine,
Was ever so deserted seen;
None hail’d me, woman, child nor man:
But though false friendship’s sail’s were furl'd,
Though cut adrift by all the world,
I'd all the world in lovely Nan.
I love my duty, love my friend,
Love truth and merit to defend.
To moan their loss, who hazard ran:
I love to take an honest part,
Love beauty, and a spotless heart,
By manners love to shew the man:
To sail through life, by honor’s breeze,
'Twas all along of loving these.
First made me doat on lovely Nan.
