The Sailor's Farewell, c. 1772–1783

                              I.
THE topsail shivers in the wind,
The good ship casts to sea;
But still my soul, my heart and mind
Are Mary, moor'd with thee,
For though thy Sailor's bound afar,
Still love shall be his guiding star.

                            II.
Should landsmen flatter, when we've sail'd,
Doubt all their artful tales;
No gallant sailor ever fail'd,
If Cupid fill'd his sails;
Thou art the compass of my soul,
Which steers my heart from pole to pole.

                             III.
Syrens in ev'ry port we meet,
More fell than rocks and waves;
But sailors of Columbia's fleet,
Are lover's and not slaves:
No foes our courage shall subdue,
Altho' we've left our hearts with you.

                            IV.
These are our cares; if you be kind,
We'll scorn the dashing main,
The rocks, the billows and the wind,
The Turk and Algerine,
Our Country's glory rests with you,
Our sails are full sweet girls, adieu.