The Bad Wife (Stirling)/George Reily
AN EXCELLENT NEW SONG,
CALLED
GEORGE REILY.
It was on a summer's morning, the weather being fair
I stroll'd for recreation down by a river clear,
I overheard a damsel most grievously complain,
All for her absent lover who plough'd the raging main.
I say, my lovely fair maid, why do you grieve and ⟨cry⟩
The absence of my true love,—the damsel did reply,
These 5 long years, and better, I've daily for him ⟨mourned⟩
And although the wars are ended he never has ⟨returned⟩
It's really most surprising that he was so unkind,
Te leave so fair a creature lamenting here behind;
But if you could forget him, and place your love on ⟨me⟩
Until death separate us, to you I'll constant be.
No,—says the lovely fair maid, such things can ⟨never be⟩
My own love I admire, no other man but he;
⟨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.
No longer, now, her faithful love his passion conceal,
He flew into her arms, and did his mind reveal;
Then, quickly by a marriage they did their love re(illegible text)
Says she—you're welcome to me, all sorrows now (illegible text)