Red Dirt Ramblings®

Firmly rooted in the Oklahoma soil

Garden Bloggers’ Muse Day for October

030

Black-Eyed Susan

by John Gay

ALL in the Downs the fleet was moor’d,
The streamers waving in the wind,
When black-eyed Susan came aboard;
‘O! where shall I my true-love find?
Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true 5
If my sweet William sails among the crew.’
William, who high upon the yard
Rock’d with the billow to and fro,
Soon as her well-known voice he heard
He sigh’d, and cast his eyes below: 10
The cord slides swiftly through his glowing hands,
And quick as lightning on the deck he stands.
So the sweet lark, high poised in air,
Shuts close his pinions to his breast
If chance his mate’s shrill call he hear, 15
And drops at once into her nest:—
The noblest captain in the British fleet
Might envy William’s lip those kisses sweet.
‘O Susan, Susan, lovely dear,
My vows shall ever true remain; 20
Let me kiss off that falling tear;
We only part to meet again.
Change as ye list, ye winds; my heart shall be
The faithful compass that still points to thee.
‘Believe not what the landmen say 25
Who tempt with doubts thy constant mind:
They’ll tell thee, sailors, when away,
In every port a mistress find:
Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so,
For Thou art present wheresoe’er I go. 30
‘If to fair India’s coast we sail,
Thy eyes are seen in diamonds bright,
Thy breath is Afric’s spicy gale,
Thy skin is ivory so white.
Thus every beauteous object that I view 35
Wakes in my soul some charm of lovely Sue.
‘Though battle call me from thy arms
Let not my pretty Susan mourn;
Though cannons roar, yet safe from harms
William shall to his Dear return. 40
Love turns aside the balls that round me fly,
Lest precious tears should drop from Susan’s eye:
The boatswain gave the dreadful word,
The sails their swelling bosom spread,
No longer must she stay aboard; 45
They kiss’d, she sigh’d, he hung his head.
Her lessening boat unwilling rows to land;
‘Adieu!’ she cries; and waved her lily hand.

For more musing, please see the fair Carolyn Gail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Kylee from Our Little Acre

    Dee! Big congrats for your Blotanical award! You sure deserve it. Your blog is top-notch and I always learn something from you. I’m so glad to have met you at Spring Fling and look forward to being with you again in Buffalo. And maybe Dallas! Thank you for offering to mentor me. I may take you up on that!
    Again, congratulations and keep doing what you do so well. *hugs*

  3. Linda

    Dee, congratulations on your blotanical award! I enjoy your blog, think it was one of the first I found when I began my garden blog, love your photos!

  8. Lisa at Greenbow

    How romantic. I have a friend that sings sailor chantys I will have to pass along this poem. It will be most appreciated by him too.

    Congrats on your award.

  10. Pam/Digging

    Love those Susans! Welcome back, and congrats on your win for Best Oklahoma Blotanical Award, Dee. Way to go!

    And to answer your question, no, I didn't know the GWA was going to be in Dallas next year. That certainly is closer to home, plus I have access to a free place to stay there. Hmm.