Bart'lemy fair/Jack Jib-Boom

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JACK'S ALIVE.

Sweet Nancy Nouse, and Jack Jib-boom,
⁠Had long been man and wife,
And envy's self could not find room
⁠To blame their happy life.
Each girl who would a husband find,
⁠Each tar who fain would wife,
These words would always keep in mind,
⁠Nan's blest, for Jack's alive.

One Pest, a knowing and false friend,
⁠When Jack was out at sea,
Laid siege to Nancy, to no end,
⁠For a true wife was she;
He teazed her with each doubt and fear,
⁠That his vile suit might thrive,
Yet hope still whisper'd in her ear,
⁠'Tis false, for Jack's alive.

He kept Jack's letters back, forged news,
⁠Her virtue to ensnare,
And did her patient ear abuse,
⁠To drive her to despair;
He swore Jack had fallen overboard,
⁠And never would arrive.
When a hoarse voice like thunderroar'd,
⁠'You lie, friend, Jack's alive.'

'Twas Jack; he chased all her alarms
⁠He kicked Pest down the stairs,
Then, hast'hing to her longing arms,
⁠He banish'd all her cares;
His children to his heart he press'd,
⁠Bid joy again revive:
While Nancy cried, 'I'm truly bless'd,
⁠Thank heaven, my Jack's alive.