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Poem
October 20, 1787
The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A ballad narrating the story of sailor Henry who leaves his beloved Betsey for a sea voyage. She laments his departure, but upon his faithful return after a year, they marry and he vows to stay ashore with her forever.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
The Faithful Tar.
He sails unhurled, the ship unmoored,
Her course to steer—all hands on board,
Propitious every gale;
Fair Betsey on the beach deplores
Her sailor bound to distant shores.
But nought her tears avail.
"Oh, cruel fate!—Ye powers above,
Why thus bereft of him I love,
Who on the restless deep,
The boist'rous tide must ceaseless brave;
And meet perchance, a wat'ry grave,
While I but live to weep?"
Twelve months elapsed when he returned.
Her constant heart with rapture burned,
'Twas freed from ev'ry care;
For Henry's love, his heart, his soul,
Was true, as needle to the pole,
When absent from his fair.
In wedded bliss, they taste delight.
No winds disturb, nor storms affright
The lovely Betsey's breast;
For now he makes a firm decree,
No more to trust the raging sea—
With her, completely blest.
He sails unhurled, the ship unmoored,
Her course to steer—all hands on board,
Propitious every gale;
Fair Betsey on the beach deplores
Her sailor bound to distant shores.
But nought her tears avail.
"Oh, cruel fate!—Ye powers above,
Why thus bereft of him I love,
Who on the restless deep,
The boist'rous tide must ceaseless brave;
And meet perchance, a wat'ry grave,
While I but live to weep?"
Twelve months elapsed when he returned.
Her constant heart with rapture burned,
'Twas freed from ev'ry care;
For Henry's love, his heart, his soul,
Was true, as needle to the pole,
When absent from his fair.
In wedded bliss, they taste delight.
No winds disturb, nor storms affright
The lovely Betsey's breast;
For now he makes a firm decree,
No more to trust the raging sea—
With her, completely blest.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
Song
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
Marriage Celebration
What keywords are associated?
Faithful Tar
Sailor Henry
Betsey Love
Sea Voyage
Wedded Bliss
Poem Details
Title
The Faithful Tar.
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas
Key Lines
He Sails Unhurled, The Ship Unmoored,
Fair Betsey On The Beach Deplores
For Henry's Love, His Heart, His Soul,
Was True, As Needle To The Pole,
In Wedlock Bliss, They Taste Delight.