(3)
Captain, pilot, and mate, the truth to relate,
but they could not prevent her from sinking.
For, O! the sad cries that went to the skies,
when our good ship split asunder,
Our main mast so tall overboard did fall,
and some of our good men fell under.
Bur soon the proud waves did beat her to staves,
her name was the Middlesex Flora,
Away they did sweep our men to the deep,
which greatly increases my sorrow.
Just I and no more, escap’d to the shore,
where the billows were roaring like thunder,
I am one alive out of twenty five,
and this is a very great wonder.
But thanks be to he who ruleth the sea,
can save in the middle of dangers,
I’m wounded and bruis'd but very well us'd,
though here in the middle of strangers.
Our loading was fine both brandy and wine,
and every thing costly and bonny,
Hyson and green tea, coffee and bohea,
and fine silk from sweet Barcelona,
With rich merchant store from the extending shore,
were brought thro' great tempest and dangers.
Along the shore side on waves they did ride,
were promiscuously gather’d by strangers.
Our Captain James Bell, likewise John Clemell,
and our foremast-man was James Corrau,
Our boatswain Will Weir, and James & John Greer,
and our pilot was James McMurray,
One Robert Store, and Richard Balfour,
our mate he was young Thomas Taylor,
One Henry Mead and Archibald Kincaid,
with William Campbell that famous young sailor.
