# A Copy of Verses Composed by Capt. Henry Every now gone to Sea to Seek his Fortune

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This is a version of the ballad A Copy of Verses, Composed by Captain Henry Every, Lately Gone to Sea to seek his Fortune; it was written sometime between July and early August 1694, a few months after the publication of the original. This version was submitted as a manuscript to the Privy Council on 16 August 1694 by Sir James Houblon as part of the inquiry on pirate Henry Every. The title of this version was slightly modified from that of the original. The differences between the two versions may in part be attributed to the ballad's oral transmission.
Come all you brave Boyes whose Courage is Bold Will you venture with me and I'le glut you with Gold Make hast into Coruña a Ship you will finde Now called the Fancy which will pleasure yr minde
Capt. Every is in her he Calls Her his owne H'eel Box her about before he has done French Spaniards the Portugueses, the Heathen Likewise Hee has made a Warr with untill he Dies
Her Modle like Wax & she sailes like the Wind Shee is Rigged & fitted and curiously Trimm'd And has all things Convenient for his Designe God Bless his poor Fancy shee is Bound for the minde
Faire Plymouth farewell and Cat Downe be Damn'd I once was part Owner of most of that Land. But as I am dissolved so I will abdicate My Person from England to attend on my Fate
Then away from this Frigid and Temporate Zone To One thats more Torrid you'l hear I am gone. With 150 Brave Sparks of this Age And fully resolved their foes to Engage
Those Northern parts are not Thrifty for me I'le raise the Antorticke which some Men shall see I am not afraid to let the World know That to the South Seas & at Persia w'eel go
Our Names shall be Blazon'd and spread thro the Sky And many a Place I hope to Descry. Where ever one Englishman never was seen Nor any Proud Dutchman Can say he has been.
My Commission is Large for I have made it my Self And the Capston shall stretch full Larger by halfe It was Dated in Coruña beleive it my freind From the Year Ninety Three to the Worlds End
I honour St George & his Coullours I weare Good Quarters I give but no Nation I spare The World must assist me with what I do want I'le give them my Bill when Mony is scant
Now this do I say and Solemnly Sweare He that strikes to St George the Better shall fare But he that refuses shall sudenly Spie Strange Collours aboard of my Fancy to Flye.
Four Cheveralls of Gold in a Bloody Feild Invironed with Green now this is my Sheild Yet Call but for Quarters before you do see A Bloody Flagg out which is our Decree
Noe Quarters to give no Quarters to Take Wee save nothing living alas its too Late For wee are all sworne by ye Bread & Wine Most Serious wee are as any Divine
Now this is the Course I intend for to steere My false hearted Nation to you I declare I have done thee no wronge thou may'st me forgive For the Sword Shall maintaine me so Long as I Live.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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