The Essex Miracle;
OR, THE
Wonder of Wonders.
Giving a true Account of a Poor Man in Distress, whose Orchard this Year did bear a vast encrease, though
there be a general scarcity through the Land beside, which stock of Fruit he sold for Three Score and
Ten Pounds, which encrease is lookt upon as the wonderful hand of Providence at the Poor Mans time of
Distress.
Tune of, If Love's a Sweet Passion. Licensed according to Order.
|
GOod People I pray to a wonder give ear,
|
Which has happen'd by Pro[v]idence this very year,
|
To the succour and perfect relief of the Poor,
|
Thus we see that the Lord still hath mercys in store,
|
For all those that unto him will make their address,
|
He will never forsake them in times of Distress.
|
The like in past Ages the world never knew,
|
And altho' it seems strange it is absolute true,
|
Which I shall in this Ditty discover at large,
|
It is of a Poor Thresher, who had a great charge,
|
To the Lord he is private did make his address,
|
Who reliev'd him at last in a time of distress.
|
He had a Poor Wife and six Children small,
|
Having none but his labour to keep them withal,
|
Now his wages was small, and all things being dear,
|
I must tell you his sorrows was sharpened severe,
|
To the Lord still in private he made his address,
|
Who reliv'd him at last in a time of Distress
|
This poor man he rented a house and some ground,
|
'twas an Orchard in which this strange wonder was found
|
Now the times being hard he could not pay his rent,
|
Tho' the Landlord came often without it he went,
|
Therefore many harsh words he would often express,
|
But the poor man was help'd in the time of distress.
|
The Landlord for money he made a sad rout,
|
Either pay me, said he, or in short you turn out,
|
For I will have my Rent without longer delay,
|
But the poor man entreated him still that he'd stay,
|
For he hop'd he should pay him yet nevertheless,
|
Tho' at this very time he was much in Distress.
|
The Landlord reply'd these are pretty delays,
|
But I'd very fain know how this money you'll raise,
|
There is half a years Rent now alre[a]dy my due,
|
I will [n]ever be fool'd by such T[en]ants as you.
|
Now the poor man did weep as he this did express,
|
For alas it was then a sad time of distress.
|
The poor man cry'd, Landlord pray ben't so severe,
|
Do but trust me kind Sir to the end of the Year,
|
And be[f]o[r]e you shall loose ere a penny by me,
|
I will sell all my goods for to pay you, said he,
|
Now the landlord was pleas'd when he this did express
|
For alas he was poor and in woeful distress.
|
See what a Miraculous wonder was wrought,
|
Tho' his Neighbour in Orchards no profit had brought.
|
Yet the Trees in his Orchard this Summer brought m[ore]
|
Than he ever had had since he kept it before.
|
It was all divine Providence surely no less
|
That did help this poor man in the time [of distress.]
|
The Branches was loaded on every Tree.
|
It was pleasant, nay sweet and delightful to see,
|
What an Ocean of Fruit in his Orchard he found,
|
Which he sold for no less than full seventy pound,
|
Thus we see how the hand of kind heaven did bless
|
The poor with encrease at the time of distress.
|
When he of the Orchard this money had made,
|
Streight he run to his Landlord and Joyfully said,
|
I am come for to pay you the Rent which I ow[e]:
|
Now the Landlord was Joyful to hear it were so,
|
It was all divine Providence surely no [less],
|
Which did help this poor man in a [time] of distress
|
When he had prais'd God for this happy encrease,
|
Which had brough him from sorrow [to] pleasure & pea[ce]
|
To the Market next morning away he did hye,
|
Where a Couple of Cows he did readily [buy],
|
It was all divine Providence surely no less,
|
That did comfort him thus at a time of distress.
|
|
|
|
|
|