The Virgins Tragedy: Or The Faithful Maiden, and the Faithless Young man.

Being a true Relation how a young man living in Westminster, fell in Love with a Maid which had Two hundred pounds to her portion, several promises past betwixt them, and their Love continued for the space of two years, at the end whereof, he appointed a day for marriage, but the day being come, he most disloyally cast her off and forsook her; whose unkindness struck so deep to the maidens heart, that she fell into swonning and distracted and Fits, and so miserably languisht for a fortnights time, & then dyed. Desiring on her Death-bed in the presence of several Neighbours, that her Parents and Rela­tions would cause her unfortunate Tragedy to be put into Print, which is here done to fulfil the Will of the Dead; by her brother.

Tune is Ginny Gin Or, fare one let me in.
[figure]
YOung Gallants all and Ladies fair,
and Lovers every where
Mark well this truth which I declare,
which may concern you near,
Regard your vows and promises
which you in Love do bind,
Or else be sure that in this World
small comfort you will find.
Remember Batemans faithless friend,
Now she did prove untrue;
And for reward had in the end
her just deserved due:
For in the night out of her bed,
she carryed was away
But to what place it was not known
nor is not to this day.
But to the story now in hand
with grief I must relate
The downfal of a maiden fair
brought to untimely fate;
Occasiond by a faithless wretch
who did her Love disdain
As you may by the sequel find
the same for to be plain.
A Young man late in Westminster
a man of little fame
Did with this maiden fall in Love
at least pretend the same:
Two hundred pounds of good estate
this girl for Portion had.
And but a Taylour he was
of an inferior trade.
[figure]
[figure]
[figure]
VVIth vows & protestations great
this Maid he did allure
Still promising that to the end
his Love it should endure:
Quoth he my dear and only joy
thou needs it not to fear
That e'r I will unconstant prove
since that I love thee dear.
The Maiden fair being but young
scarce fifteen pears of age
Believing of his tempting tongue
in Love she did ingage:
She freely gave him hand and heart,
not dreading any ill;
But that he would require her for't
and yield the like good will.
For two years space thus did they Live
in Love and friendship pure
Which made poor Isabel believe
it alwayes would endure;
At length a day appointed was
their Nuptials to attend
When at that time it came to pass
he prov'd a faithless friend.
For why he basely cast her off
denying all was past
At which she fell into a swound
which made her friends agaft:
No help that ever did her good
they used more or less
But from that time she languished
in woe and deep distress.
Where ever she that wretch did see
berest her of her Love
'Tis said she swouned presently
his sight her heart did move:
At length into distracted fits
she violently fell
And raved in her frenry mood
most fearfully to tell.
Her friends about her they did flock
to see her in that case
And Neighbours all did pitty her
who e'r came in that place:
And thus about a fortnights time
it cannot be denyed
But she endured misery
and in conclusion dyed.
Tis said that she before her death
did give him a Release
Therefore we trust assuredly
her soul is now at peace:
What guilt upon his conscience lies
best to himself is known
How ere the world may clearly see
the truth that here is shown
This may a warning he to all
young Lovers every one
That they do not unconstant prove
who e'r they pitch upon:
Their Oaths and Protestations
the Lord doth hear and see
And at the last he will reward
them all assuredly.
The maids Epitaph.
Here within this silent shade
Lyes the body of a maid
Who dy'd for Love, and bid adieu
Because her Love prov'd untrue

London Printed for J. Conyers at the Black Raven in Duck-lane.

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Text Creation Partnership. Searching, reading, printing, or downloading EEBO-TCP texts is reserved for the authorized users of these project partner institutions. Permission must be granted for subsequent distribution, in print or electronically, of this EEBO-TCP Phase II text, in whole or in part.