TOM STARBOARD.
Tom Starboard was a lover true,
As brave a tar as ever sail'd;
The duties ablest seamen do
Tom did, and never yet had fail'd.
But wreck'd as he was homeward bound,
Within a league of England's coast,
Love say'd him sure from being drown'd,
For more than half the crew were lost.
In fight Tom Starboard knew no fear;
Nay, when he lost an arm, resign'd,
Said, love for Nan, his only dear,
Had sav'd his life, and Fate was kind.
And now, tho' wreck'd, yet Tom, return'd,
Of all past dangers made a joke;
For still his manly bosom burn'd
With love—his heart was heart of oak.
His strength restor'd, Tom nobly ran
To cheer his bride, his destin'd bride;
But false report had brought to Nan,
Six months before, that Tom had died.
With grief she daily pin’d away,
No remedy her life could save;
And Tom return’d the very day
They laid his Nancy in the grave.