The Forlorn Lover: DECLARING HOW
A Lass gave her Lover three slipps for a Teaster,
And married another a Week before Easter.
To a pleasant new Tune.
A Wéek before
Easter,
the dayes long and clear,
So bright is the Sun,
and so cold is the Air,
I went into the Forrest
some Flowers to find there:
And the Forrest would yield me no Posies.
The Wheat and the Rye,
that groweth so gréen,
The Hedges and Trées
in their several coats.
Small Birds do sing
in their changeable Nots,
But there groweth no Srawberies or Roses.
I went into the Meadow,
some time for to spend,
And to come back agen,
I did fully intend;
But as I came back,
I met with a Friend,
And 'twas love was the cause of my mourning.
I lov'd a fair Lady,
this many a long day.
And now to requite me,
she is married away,
Here she hath left me,
in sorrow to stay,
But now I begin to consider,
I Loved her déer,
and I loved her well,
I hated all people,
that spoke of her ill,
Many a one told me
what she did say,
But yet I would hardly beleive them.
But when I did hear
my Love was in the Church,
I went out of my Seat,
and sat in the Porch.
I found I should falsly
be left in the lurch,
And thought that my heart would have broken.
But when I did sée
my Love to Church go,
With all her Bride-Maidens,
they made such a show:
I laught in conceit,
but my heart was full low,
To sée how highly she was regarded
But when I saw my Love,
in the Church stand,
Gold Ring on her finger,
well seal'd with a hand,
He had so sedued her
with House and with Land,
That nothing but Death can them sever,
But when her Bride-Maidens
were having hir to Bed,
I stept in amongst them,
and kissed the Bride,
I wisht I might have béen
laid by her side:
And by that means I got me a favour.
When she was laid in Bed,
(drest up in white)
My eyes gusht with water,
that drown'd my sight
I put off my Hat,
and did bid all good-night
[...]
And adiu my dear swéeting for ever
Oh dig me a Grave,
that is wide, large, and déepe,
With a root at my head,
and another at my féet;
There will I lye
and take a long sléepe,
Ile bid her farewell for ever.
She plighted her Faith,
to be my fair Bride,
And now at last hath
me falsly depriv'd,
I'le leave off my wrath,
and wish God be my guide,
Do save me from such another.
I pitty her case,
much more then my own,
That She should imbrace,
and joyn hands in one.
Whilst I am her True-love,
and daily do groan,
My sorrow I cannot smother.
Though Marriage hath bound her,
she is much too blame,
And though he hath found her,
her Husband I am;
Hereafter 'twill wound her,
that she put me to shame.
When conscience shall be her accuser.
Two Husbands She hath,
by this wilde miscarriage,
The one by a contract,
the other by Marriage:
She doth her whole Family,
grosly disparage,
But I will not plot, to misuse her.
Beware all Young-men,
of Arts, or of Trades,
Chuse warily when
you méet with such Maids,
You'd better live single,
alone in the Shades,
Then to love such an abuser.
FINIS