The Post Captain/Black-eyed Susan

by John Gay

For other versions of this work, see Black-eyed Susan (Gay).

BLACK-EYED SUSAN.

All in the Downs the fleet was moor'd,
 The streamers waving in the wind,
When black-eyed Susan came on board,
 Oh where shall I my true-love find?
Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true,
If my sweet William sails among your crew?

William, who high upon the yard,
Rock’d with the billows to and fro,
Soon as her well known voice he heard,
He sigh’d and cast his eyes below,
The cord slides swiftly through his glowing hands,
And quick as lightning on the deck he stands.

So the sweet lark, high pois'd in air,
Shuts close his pinions to his breast,
If chance his mate's shrill call he hear,
And drops at once into her nest:
The noblest captain in the British fleet
Might envy William’s lips those kisses sweet.

O Susan, Susan, lovely dear,
My vows shall ever true remain;
Let me kiss off that falling tear,
We only part to meet again:
Change as ye list; ye winds, my heart shall be
The faithful compass that still points to thee.

Believe not what the landmen say,
Who tempt with doubts thy constant mind;
They’ll tell thee, sailors, when away,
In ev’ry port a mistress find;
Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so.
For thou art present whereso’er I go.

If to far India's coast we sail,
 Thy eyes are seen in diamonds bright,
Thy breath is Afric’s spicy gale,
 Thy skin is ivory so white;
Thus ev’ry beauteous object that I view,
Wakes in my soul some charm of lovely Sue.

Tho’ battle calls me from thy arms,
 Let not my pretty Susan mourn;
Tho’ cannons roar, yet safe from harms,
 William shall to his dear return;
Love turns aside the balls that round me fly,
Lest precious tears should drop from Susan’s eye.

The boatswain gave the dreadful word,
 The sails their swelling bosoms spread,
No longer must she stay on board;
 They kiss’d, she sighed, he hung his head:
Her less’ning boat unwilling rows to land,
Adieu, she cried, and wav’d her lily hand.

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