4
The day was set for to be wed,
But the night before, as 'tis said,
The poor young Captain came to town,
In poverty, and much cast down.
Poor lad, by stress of weather, he,
Had lost his substance in the sea:
Both ship and loading all were gone,
Seldom one sorrow comes alone.
He hearing how her mind was bent,
In tears he for the lady sent:
She came to him with scornful frown,
Asking what wind brought him to town.
My dearest love, the Captain said,
I hear to-morrow you're to wed:
Straight, with a frown, she cried, 'tis true
And if it I be, what's that to you?
Tears stopp'd his speech, no more could say,
Straight from his arms she flung away,
And left him there in tears alone,
With heart as cold as lead or stone.
In floods of tears to bed he went,
And spent the night in discontent;
Smiting his breast, he oft-times said,
Oh! that I'd in the ocean died.
In the morning, soon as it was light,
In tears he did a letter write,
Which he directed to his dear,
The words were these as you shall hear.
