Villany Rewarded

[Fox]

Who was executed at Execution Dock on Wednesday, the 25th of November, 1696, being of Every’s crew; together with their Free Confession of their most Horrid Crimes.

Well may the world against us cry; for these our deeds most base,

For which alas! We now must die, death looks us in the face,

Which is no more than what’s our due, since we so wicked were,

As here shall be declar’d to you. Let pirates then take care.

We with our comrades, not yet ta’en, together did agree,

And stole a ship out of the Groyne, to roam upon the sea;

With which we robb’d and plundered too, no ship that we did spare.

Thus many a one we did undo. Let pirates then take care.

Our ship being well stored then for this enterprise,

One hundred and men there was in her likewise:

We pillag’d all we could come nigh, no nation did we spare,

For which a shameful death we die. Let pirates then take care.

We robb’d a ship upon the seas, the Gunsway call’d by name,

Which we met near the East Indies, and rifled the same;

In it was gold and silver store, of which all had a share;

Each man 600 pounds and more. Let pirates then take care.

Thus for some time we liv’d and reign’d as master of the sea;

Every merchant we detained and us’d most cruelly.

The treasures took, we sunk the ship, and those that in it were

That would not unto us submit. Let pirates then take care.

Thus wickedly we every day liv’d upon others’ good,

The which, alas! we must repay now with our dearest blood;

For we on no one mercy took, nor any did we spare.

How can we then for mercy look? Let pirates then take care.

We thus did live most cruelly, and of no danger thought,

But we at last, as you may see, are unto justice brought

For outrages of villainy, of which we guilty are,

And now this very day must die. Let pirates then take care.

Now farewell to this wicked world, and our companions too;

From hence we quickly shall be hurl’d to clear the way for you;

For certainly if e’re you come to justice, as we are,

Deserved death will be your doom. Then pirates all take care.