Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BLACK-EYED SUSAN, by JOHN GAY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: All in the downs the fleet was moored Last Line: "adieu!"" she cried; and waved her lily hand." Variant Title(s): Sweet William's Farewell To Black-eyed Susan Subject(s): Absence; Farewell; Sea; Separation; Isolation; Parting; Ocean | ||||||||
All in the Downs the fleet was moored, The streamers waving in the wind, When black-eyed Susan came abroad; "O, where shall I my true-love find? Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true If my sweet William sails among the crew." William, who high upon the yard Rocked with the billow to and fro, Soon as her well-known voice he heard He sighed, and cast his eyes below: 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, And drops at once into her nest: -- The noblest captain in the British fleet Might envy William's lips those kisses sweet. "O Susan, Susan, lovely dear, My vows shall ever true remain; 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 Who tempt with doubts thy constant mind: They'll tell thee, sailors, when away, In every port a mistress find: Yes, yes, l believe them when they tell thee so, For thou art present whereso'er I go. "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 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. 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 abroad: They kissed, she sighed, he hung his head. Her lessening boat unwilling rows to land; "Adieu!" she cried; and waved her lily hand. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HALL OF OCEAN LIFE by JOHN HOLLANDER JULY FOURTH BY THE OCEAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS BOATS IN A FOG by ROBINSON JEFFERS CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE FIGUREHEAD by LEONIE ADAMS FABLES: 1ST SER. 5. THE WILD BOAR AND THE RAM by JOHN GAY LESSER EPISTLES: TO A LADY ON HER PASSION FOR OLD CHINA by JOHN GAY LESSER EPISTLES: TO A YOUNG LADY WITH SOME LAMPREYS by JOHN GAY |
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