The next harm that we spy’d, _I, boys, O boys!_ Then we to Heaven cry’d, I! Down fell our main-mast head, Which struck our senses dead _In the poor Benjamin, O!_ Then we with seas were crost, _I, boys, O boys!_ And on the ocean tost, I! Thus we with seas was tost, Many a brave man was lost _In the brave Benjamin, O!_ The next harm that we had, _I, boys, O boys!_ We had cause to be sad, I! The next harm that we had We lost four men from the yard _In the poor Benjamin, O!_ Disabled as I name, _I, boys, O boys!_ We were drove on the main, I! So the next harm we had We lost our rudder’s head _In the poor Benjamin, O!_ Then we fell all to prayer, _I, boys, O boys!_ The Lord our lives would spare, I! Then we fell all to prayer, And He at last did hear _Us in the Benjamin, O!_ Although we sail’d in fear, _I, boys, O boys!_ The Lord our ship did steer, I! Our prayers so fervent were That we had passage clear _Into brave Plimouth Sound, O!_ We came in Plimouth Sound, _I, boys, O boys!_ Our hearts did then resound, I! When we came to Plymouth Sound Our grief with joy was crown’d _In the poor Benjamin, O!_ When we came all on shore, _I, boys, O boys!_ Every man at his dore, I! When we came all on shore Our grief we did deplore _In the poor Benjamin, O!_ You gallant young men all, _I, boys, O boys!_ ’Tis unto you I call, I! Likewise brave seamen all, Lament the loss and fall _Of the poor Benjamin, O!_ _THE TREACHERY OF THE SPANIARDS OF PORTO RICO TO THE DARTMOUTH FRIGOT AND HER COMPANY._ (‘Composed by Hovenden Walker on board the Dartmouth.’--MS. Note, by Pepys.) When the Dartmouth friggot lay off the town That’s call’d Porto Rico, of some renown, The captain sent thither to know if he cou’d Come peaceably in for water and wood. They answered we were welcome there, And might venture in without all fear And said it should be their only care Whatever we wanted to prepare. On the governor’s promised honour then We took up the pilot, who carry’d us in. We rid undisturbed and safe all the night, Nor smoak’d any cheat till the morning’s light Discovered their base and d[amned] intent; For when to the wat’ring place we went We were seiz’d and into prison sent; And then we found out what ’twas they meant. Quoth the governor, ‘Now you shall ne’re be free Till I your commissions and orders do see; For your ship is become a forfeiture, And I’le sink her if she but dares to stirr: For here my guns can command you all. If she goes not where I say shee shall I’le batter her sides with my iron ball From every fort and the city wall.’