“It was in piracy we sailed,
Great galleons to strip.
On a far day, on a far sea,
We took her father’s ship.
“Red-sided rocked the Rey del Sur
Whenas its deck we won.
I slew before her eyes divine
Her father and his son.
“There was no sin I had not sinned,
On deep sea and ashore;
But when I looked in those great eyes
Villain was I no more.
“I, captain, claimed her as my prize,
Though maids in common were.
Alone ’mid that fell company
I cast my lot with her.
“They put us in an open boat
With four days’ food and drink;
Then slipped those traitor topsails down
Beyond the ocean’s brink.
“Night came, and morn, but rose no sail
On that horizon verge;
I took the oars and set our prow
Against the lessening surge.
“It was scant provender we had,
Though she was unaware;
Right soon I feared, and by deceit
I gave her all my share.
“She would not speak; she scarce would look;
Her pain was past my cure.
Red-scuppered in our hells of dream
Wallowed the Rey del Sur.
“On a far day, on a far sea,
Our shallop southward crept;
With weary arms and splitten lips
I labored—and she wept.
“Dawn upon dawn, dark upon dark,
Nor ever land nor wind!
The nights were chill, the stars were keen,
The sun swung hot and blind.