A
certain pirate soon observ’d the ship,
In
which this charming lady made the trip,
And
presently attack’d and seiz’d the same;
But
Richard’s bark to shore in safety came;
So
near the land, or else he would not brave,
To
any great extent, the stormy wave,
Or
that the robber thought if both he took,
He
could not decently for favours look,
And
he preferr’d those joys the fair bestow,
To
all the riches which to mortals flow.
Althougha pirate, he had always shown
Much
honour in his acts, as well was known;
But
Cupid’s frolicks were his heart’s delight:
None
truly brave can ever beauty slight;
A
sailor’s always bold and kind and free,
Good
lib’ral fellows, such they’ll ever be;
’Mong
saints indeed ’twere vain their names to seek!
The
man was good howe’er of whom we speak;
His
usual name was Pagamin Montegue;
For
hours the lady’s screams were heard a league,
While
he each minute anxiously would seize,
To
cheer her spirits and her heart to please;
T’attain
his wish he ev’ry art combined;
At
length the lovely captive all resigned.
’Twas
Cupid conquer’d, Cupid with his dart;
A
thousand times more pirate in his art,
Than
Pagamin; on bleeding hearts he preys,
But
little quarter gives, nor grace displays:
To
pay her ransom she’d enough of gold;
For
this her spouse was truly never cold;
No
fast nor festival therein appear’d,
And
her captivity he greatly fear’d.
Thiscalendar o’erspread with rubrick days;
She
soon forgot and learn’d the pirate’s ways;
The
matrimonial zone aside was thrown,
And
only mentioned where the fact was known:
Ourlawyer would his fingers sooner burn;
Than
have his wife but virtuous home return;
By
means of gold he entertain’d no doubt,
Her
restoration might be brought about.
A
passport from the pirate he obtain’d,
Then
waited on him and his wish explain’d;
To
pay he offer’d what soe’er he’d ask;
His
terms accept, though hard perhaps the task;
Therobber answer’d, if my name around,
Be
not for honourable acts renown’d,
’Tis
quite unjust:—your partner I’ll restore
In
health, without a ransom:—would you more?
A
friendship so respect’d, heav’n forefend!
Should
ever, by my conduct, have an end.
The
fair, whom you so ardently admire,
Shall
to your arms return as you desire,