(7)
They bound us down in irons strong,
They whip'd and slash'd us all along;
⟨No⟩ tongue can tell, I am certain sure,
What we poor Sailors do endure.
Come sit ye down, and listen a while,
⟨O⟩ Fortune on this Tar did smile:
⟨'Twas⟩ his fortune for to be
⟨Slave⟩ unto a rich Lady.
She drest herself in rich array,
And went to view her slaves one day:
Hearing the moan this young man made,
She went to him, and thus she said:
What countryman, young man, are you?
I'm an Englishman, madam, that's true.
I wish you was some Turk, said she,
I'd ease you of your slavery.
I'd ease you of your slavery work,
If you'll consent to turn a Turk,
And me, myself, to be your wife,
For I do love you as my life.
O no! O no! O no! said he,
Your constant slave, dear Ma'am, I'll be:
I'll rather be burnt at the stake,
Before that I'll my God forsake.
