He for protection gave the ready pay,
And placed the seaman in preferment’s way;
Who doubted not, with sanguine heart, to rise,
And bring home riches, gain’d from many a prize.
But Jack—for so we call’d him—Jack once more,
And never after, touch’d his native shore;
Nor was it known if he in battle fell,
Or sickening died—we sought, but none could tell.
The father sigh’d—as some report, he wept;
And then his sorrow with the Sailor slept; 70