A Most Choice Collection of Popular Songs/The Galley Slave
The Galley Slave.
Oh, think on my fate! once I freedom enjoy d,
Was as happy as happy could be,
But pleasure is fled! even hope is destroy'd,
A captive, alas! on the sea.
I was ta'en by the foe, 'twas the flat of fate
To tear me from her I adore,
But thought brings to mind my once happy state,
I sigh, while I tug at the oar.
Hard, hard is my fate! oh, how galling my chain,
My life's steer'd by misery's chart;
And though 'gainst my tyrants I scorn to complain,
Tears gush forth to ease my full heart.
I disdain e'en to shrink, though I feel the sharp lash,
Yet my breast bleeds for her I adore,
While around me the unfeeling billows will dash,
I sigh! and still tug at the oar.
How fortune deceives—I had pleasure in tow,
The port where she dwelt we'd in view
But the wish'd nuptial morn was o'erclouded with wo,
And, dear Anna! I was burried from you.
Our shallop was boarded, and I borne away,
To behold my dear Anna no more;
But despair wastes my spirits, my form feels decay.
He sigh'd, and expir'd at the oar!