The Death of Parker

Ye gods above, protect a widow ! and with pity look on me.
Help, O help me out of trouble, out of sad calamity !
It was by the death of Parker fortune prov'd to me unkind;
And though hung for mutiny, worse than he were left behind.

Parker was my lawful husband, my bosom friend, whom I loved dear;
Yet at the time he was to suffer, alas ! I could not him get near !
Again I ask'd, again I tried them three times o'er and o'er, in vain ;
They still that one request denied me, and ordered me on shore again.

The yellow flag I thought was flying, a signal for my love to die ;
The gun they fired, as was required, to hang him on the yardarm high.
The boatswain did his best endeavour, and I on shore was sent straightway,
Where I stood watching, like a mermaid, to take my husband's corpse away.

At dead of night, when all was silent and many thousands fast asleep,
I, by two female friends attended, into the burying ground did creep.
Our trembling hands did serve as shovels with which the mould we moved away,
And then the body of my husband carried off without delay.

A mourning coach for him was waiting : we drove to London with all speed,
Where decently I had him buried and a sermon o'er him said.
And now his sorrows are all over, and he's free from guilt and pain;
I hope in heaven his soul is shining, where I shall meet with him again.

Farewell, Parker, thou bright angel ! once thou wert the Navy's pride;
Since we did not die together, separate we must abide.
I must wait awhile with patience; on earth I hope not long to stay,
When we shall meet once more in glory, and all our sins be wash'd away.