Black-eyed Susan flowers are popping up everywhere these days. To me they exude a dance-like-no-one-is-watching kind of confidence. By contrast, Sweet Williams are more subdued and, well, sweet. I was pleased to learn of a poem about Black-eyed Susan and Sweet William that was written in 1720--exactly three hundred years ago. It is a poem about a pretty young lass named Susan saying a tearful goodbye to her sweet love, the dashing sailor William. Being a fan of poetry and romance, I had to share this delightful poem with you.
By the way, I heard that if you plant a Black-eyed Susan near a Sweet William, they will bloom at exactly the same time. How romantic to think of a lovers’ tryst in your very own garden.
By the way, I heard that if you plant a Black-eyed Susan near a Sweet William, they will bloom at exactly the same time. How romantic to think of a lovers’ tryst in your very own garden.
Sweet Williams’ Farewell to Black-Eyed Susan
By John Gay
All in the Downs the fleet was moor’d,
The streamers waving in the wind,
When black-eyed Susan came aboard;
‘O! where shall I my true-love find?
Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true
If my sweet William sails among the crew.’
William, who high upon the yard
Rock’d with the billow to and fro,
Soon as her well-known voice her heard
He sigh’d, and cast his eye below:
The cord slides swiftly through his glowing hands,
And quick as lightning on the deck he stands.
How swift the lark, high poised in air,
Shuts close his pinions to his breast.
By chance his mate's shrill call he hears,
Then he drops at once into her nest.
The noblest captain in the British fleet
Might envy William's lips those kisses sweet.
Oh Susan, Susan, lovely dear,
My vows shall ever true remain;
Let me kiss off that falling tear;
We only part to meet again.
Change, as ye list, ye winds; my heart shall be
The faithful compass that still point to thee.
Believe not what the landsmen say,
Who temp with doubts thy constant mind;
They’ll tell thee, sailors when away
In every port a mistress find.
Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so,
For thou art present wheresoe’er I go.
If to far India’s coast we sail,
Thy eyes are seen in diamonds bright;
Thy breath in Afric’s spicy gale,
The skin is ivory so white.
Thus every beauteous object that I view,
Wakes in my soul some charm of lovely Sue.
Though battle call me from thy arms,
Let not my pretty Susan mourn;
Through cannons roar, yet safe from harms,
William shall to his dear return.
Love turns aside the balls that round me fly.
Lest precious tears should drop from Susan’s eye.
The boatswain gave the dreadful word;
The sails their swelling bosom spread;
No longer must she stay aboard;
They kissed, she sighed, he hung his head;
Her lessening boat unwilling rows to land:
'Adieu!' She cries; and waved her lily hand.
The Black-eyed Susan is from Anne Langsdorf's garden. The Sweet William is from Jane Verdragers' garden.
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