ON PORT ROYAL SHORE.
SIX months had William skulking been,
About fair Britain’s Isle;
Six months–and scarce a friend had seen,
Poor William all that while;
For deep in debt he could not pay,
His mind it griev’d full sore;
And oft’ he wish’d himself away,
Far from fair England’s shore.
William, whose heart with terror beat,
And penitence sincere,
When he a stranger’s looks did meet,
That heart it sank in fear;
I’ll fly, he said, and quit this place,
I’ll shew my face no more.
Why stay, and suffer this disgrace,
Upon this happy shore?
Ah! fatal haste, bailiffs unseen,
In watchful ambush lay;
Who fast their griping paws between,
Seiz’d William for their prey.
A sudden crimson dy’d his cheek,
Which were so pale before;
And not a word could William speak,
Tho’ on his native shore.
Ill-fated was poor William then,
To bailiffs thus a prey;
Who dragg’d him to a dismal den,
Where he lay many a day.
At length a friend his ransom paid,
And clear’d off every score.
And William jump’d for joy, ’tis said,
Upon Great Britain’s shore.
(Caroline Maxwell)
More Poetry from Caroline Maxwell:
Caroline Maxwell Poems based on Topics: Friendship, Fear, Joy & Excitement, Sincerity, Place, Speaking, Haste, Debts- The Suppliant (Caroline Maxwell Poems)
- Gowry's Conspiracy (Caroline Maxwell Poems)
- Rosetta (Caroline Maxwell Poems)
- The Heir Of Tyrconnel; Or, The Threatening Spectre (Caroline Maxwell Poems)
- The Old Man In Blue (Caroline Maxwell Poems)
- Sir Stephen - Part II (Caroline Maxwell Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Joy & Excitement Poems, Friendship Poems, Place Poems, Fear Poems, Speaking Poems, Haste Poems, Debts Poems, Sincerity PoemsBased on Keywords: skulking, dragg, bailiffs, griev, griping, months-and