The Sailor's Complaint

'You are welcome to London, dear Jack.
What news have you brought us, I pray ? '
'From Portsmouth I have lately come,
And now I am discharg'd from the sea.
I have never a copper, brave boy;
I've wages and prize money due.'
'Damme Jack, truly do say,
You will be hard set to get it, it's true.' -

'Dear shipmate, I've been here a month,
And cannot get mine for the truth ;
On board a man-of-war I went
When I was a frolicsome youth.
My king and my country to serve
I fought like a sailor so bold.
Now that the wars are all over
I really cannot get my gold.

'To a navy officer each day I did go ;
I've been both hungry and dry.
My money I then did demand.
" You cannot have it," they cry.
My life I have ventur'd for gold,
My king and my country to serve.
Now the wars are all over
Brave sailors may perish and starve.

'Suppose that the war should break out,
Then what will Old England do ?
Bad usage we plenty receive
By not paying us our due.
They will cavvil from day to day,
" To-morrow you your answer shall have."'
'Damme Jack, I really do say,
For I think they are acting the knave.'

'Then truely I don't mean to rebel
Again[st] my good king and his laws.
Did he then know my distress
He soon would relieve my just cause ;
We should be paid with great speed.
The taverns we['d] make them to roar,
We['d] spend it like brave jolly tars;
What else should we do on shore ? '