A Copy of Verses on Jefferys the Seaman

You captains and commanders both by land and sea,
O do not be hard-hearted, refrain from cruelty ;
It is of Jefferys the seaman, who, though not cast away,
Was left upon a dismal rock, by his captain they say.

CHORUS. Think of Jefferys the seaman's hard fate.

For eight days and nights he in misery did remain,
Without any food or nourishment himself for to sustain ;
Dejected, in a wretched state, his fate he did deplore,
For some good Christian to convey him to his native shore.

At length kind Providence gave ear unto his mournful strain :
An American vessel to his assistance came;
John Dennis's humanity soon set him free,
And very soon released him from his captivity.

It really is surprising he could so cruel be
Unto his fellow creature, lost to humanity
And any Christian feeling; that such corrections there be,
It is a pity such should have a command, either by land or sea.

But now he is arrived unto Old England's shore,
And I think he is very much to blame to go to sea any more.
The gentry pity his fate as his suffering he explores,
He is glad to have the happy sight of his native land once more.

His mother, in amazement, almost distracted run
When she view'd the situation of her dear only son.
Quite meagre and almost starving, with hunger and fatigue,
This sight it caused his aged mother's heart then for to bleed.