History & Politics

Villany Rewarded; or, The Pirate's Last Farewel to the World

by Anonymous (Naval Songs and Ballads) 16th–19th century

From Naval Songs and Ballads, ed. C. H. Firth (1908)

History & Politics

Well may the world against us cry; for these our deeds most base,
For which, alas ! we now must dye, death looks us in the face,
Which is no more than what's our due, since we so wicked were,
As here shall be declar'd to you. Let pyrates then take care.

We with our comrades, not yet ta'en, together did agree,
And stole a ship out from the Groyne, to roam upon the sea;
With which we robb'd and plundered too, no ship that we did spare.
Thus many a one we did undo. Let pyrats then take care.

Our ship being well stored then for this our enterprise,
One hundred and eighty men there was in her likewise :
We pillag'd all we could come nigh, no nation we did spare,
For which a shameful death we dye. Let pyrates then take care.

We robb'd a ship upon the seas, the Gunsway call'd by name,
Which we met near the East Indies, and rifled the same;
In it was gold and silver store, of which all had a share;
Each man 600 pounds and more. Let pirates then take care.

Thus for some time we liv'd and reign'd as masters of the sea;
Every merchant we detain'd and us'd most cruelly.
The treasures took, we sunk the ship, and those that in it were
That would not unto us submit. Let pirates then take care.

Thus wickedly we every day liv'd upon others' good,
The which, alas ! we must repay now with our dearest blood ;
For we on no one mercy took, nor any did we spare.
How can we then for mercy look ? Let pirates then take care.

We thus did live most cruelly, and of no danger thought,
But we at last, as you may see, are unto justice brought
For outrages of villany, of which we guilty are,
And now this very day must dye. Let pirates then take care.

Now farewel to this wicked world, and our companions too;
From hence we quickly shall be hurl'd to clear the way for you ;
For certainly if e're you come to justice, as we are,
Deserved death will be your doom. Then pirates all take care.

MLA

Anonymous (Naval Songs and Ballads). “Villany Rewarded; or, The Pirate's Last Farewel to the World.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-naval-songs/42/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Naval Songs and Ballads). “Villany Rewarded; or, The Pirate's Last Farewel to the World.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-naval-songs/42/.

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