About a fortnight after, I was sent aboard, in order to my transportation; my sentence of Death being converted into a seven years banishment.
CHAP. LXVI.
Being on Board he descants on his ensuing misery; yet draws comfort to himself from the sufferings of others. He relateth how he was freed from his intended banishment by a double Shipwrack; the manner thereof he amply declareth.
The Ship that was to transport me lay at Wollidge: about the latter end of Aug. 1650. I was conveyed aboard a lusty Ship, a Virginia-Merchantman, and was instantly clapt under hatches; but I knew they would quickly call me aloft, if there was any fighting work; as such a thing might easily be, since the Sea was no where free from such as would make a prize of what Vessels were too weak to contend with them. Having pen, ink, and paper about me, I busied my thoughts and pen in contriving consolation for my disquieted and disconsolate mind, thus:
Why should not I with patience suffer? some
Have kist what brought them to their Martyrdom.
Many a Saint hath suffer’d on a Cross;
And our good King endur’d three Kingdoms loss.
Shall I (fool) then at any cross take grief?
Tyburn’s the way to heaven for many a Thief.