Captain Mansfield's Fight with the Turkes at Sea

Our goodly ship was loaded deep, with anchors three beneath her bow;
'Twas east-north-east we steer'd our course, and as near the wind as we could stow.
We had not sailed glasses three, nor yet ten leagues from our loading port,
Before we spyed ten Turkish men-of-war, and after us they did resort.

'O hail! O hail ! you English dogs, O hail! and strike your sails quickly,
For you shall go with us this night, and ever after into slavery.'
O then bespoke our captain bold, and a well bespoken man was he,
'If you must have my topsails down, come on board and strike them for me.

To the top, to the top, my merry boatswain, to the main-top-masthead so high,
And sling me here that main-top-mast-yard, and see your business you supply.
To the top, to the top, my boatswain's mate, to the fore-top-mast head with speed
And sling me here that fore-top-sail-yard, for we never had more need.

'To the top, to the top, my little cabin-boy, to the mizen-topmast-head so high,
And spread abroad St. George's flag, for under that we live or die.'

O then bespoke our gunner bold, and a well bespoken man was he,
'Swab your guns, brave boys, while they're hot, for powder and ball you shall have free.'

'Keep aluff, keep aluff,' says the master's mate, ' keep aluff, whilst that you may.
We'l fight it out like English boys ; it ne'er shall be said we run away.'
So to it we went like lions bold, as enemies do when they meet;
We fought from twelve to sun-rising, and spared but one sail of their fleet.

O three we burnt, and three we sunk, and the other three run away ;
And one we brought to old England, to shew them we had won the day.
All you that know our gallant ship, and want to know our captain's name,
I is Captain Mansfield of Bristol Town, and the Mary go Id, a ship of fame.