Strange and true News from Westmoreland.
Being a true Relation of one Gabriel Harding who coming home drunk, struck his Wife a blow
on the brest, and killed her out-right, and then denyed the same: Likewise how a Stran-
ger did come to the House cloathed in green, the people that were eye-witnesses said it was
an Angel, and how the Stranger (or Angel) did give Sentence on the man for killing of his
Wife: Also how Satan did break the mans neck that did forswear himself, and the Stran-
ger or Angel did command Satan to hurt none else, and to vanish; which being done, there
was a pleasant harmony of musick heard to sound; then did the stranger cloathed in green
take his leave of the people; whereof the chiefest in the Parish desired it might be put into
print, and have hereunto set their hands. Tune is, In Summer time,
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ATtend good Christian people all,
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Mark what I say both old and young,
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Unto the general judgment day,
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I think it is not very long.
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A wonder strange I shall relate,
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I think the like was never shown,
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In Westmoreland in Tredenton
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Of such a thing was never known.
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One Gabriel Hardin liv'd of late,
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As may to all men just appear,
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Whose yearly rent by just account,
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Came to five hundred pound a year.
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This man he had a vertuous wife,
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In Godly ways her mind did give,
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Yet he as rude a wicked wretch,
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As in this sinful Land did live.
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Much news of him I will relate,
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The like no mortal man did hear:
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'Tis very new and also true,
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Therefore good Christians all give ear.
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One time this man he came home drunk
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As he us'd which made his wife to weep,
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Who straightway took him by the hand,
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Saying, dear Husband lie down & sleep.
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She lovingly took him by the arms,
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Thinking in safety him to guide,
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A blow he struck her on the breast,
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The woman straight sunk down and dy'd
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The Children then with mournful cries
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They run into the open street,
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They wept, they wail'd, they wrung their hands
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To all good Christians that they meet.
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The people then they all ran forth,
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Saying Children why make you such moan
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O make you hast unto our house,
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Our dear mother is dead and gone.
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OUr Father hath [our m]other kill'd,
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The Children they cryed then,
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The people then they all made haste,
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And said their hands upon the man.
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He presantly denied the same,
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Said from guilty murder I am free,
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If I did that wicked deed he said,
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Some example I wish be seen by me.
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Thus he forswore the wicked deed,
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Of his dear wives untimely end
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Quoth the people, let's conclude with speed
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That for the Corroner we may send.
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Marke what I say the doors fast shut,
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The people the Children did deplore,
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But straight they heard a man to speak,
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And one stood knocking at the door.
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One in the house to the door made haste,
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Hearing a man to knock and call,
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The door was opened presently,
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And in he came amongst them all.
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By your leave people then he said,
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May a stranger with you have some talk,
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A dead woman I am come to see,
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Into the room I pray sir walk.
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His eyes like to the stars did shine,
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He was cloath'd in a bright grass green,
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His cheecks was of a crimson red,
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For such a man was seldom seen.
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Unto the people then he spoke,
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Hark well these words which I shall say,
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For no Corroner you shall send,
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I'm judge and jury here this day.
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Bring hither the man that did the deed,
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And firmly hath denied the same,
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They brought him into the room with speed
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To answer this wicked deed with shame.
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Now come O wretched man quoth he,
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With shame before thy Neighbours all,
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Thy body thou hast brought to misery,
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Thy soul into a deeper thrall.
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Thy cheifest delight was drunkenness,
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And lew'd women O cursed sin,
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Blasphemous Oaths, and curses vile,
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A long time hast thou wallowed in.
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Thy Neighbours thou would'st let at strife
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And always grinding on the poor,
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Besides thou hast murdered thy wife,
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A fearful death thou dyest therefore.
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Fear nothing good people, then he said,
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I sight presently will appear.
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Let all your trust be in the Lord,
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No harm shall be while I am here.
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Then in the Room the Devil appear'd,
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Like a brave Gentleman did stand;
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Satan quoth he that was the judge,
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Do no more then thou hast command,
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The Devil then he straight laid hold,
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On him that had murdered his wife;
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His neck in sunder then he brake,
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And thus did end his wretched life.
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The Devil then he vanished
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Quite from the people in the Hall,
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Which made the people much afraid,
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Yet no one had no hurt at all.
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Then straight a pleasant melody
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Of musick straight was heard to sound
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It ravish't the hearts of those stood by,
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So sweet the Musick did abound.
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Now quoth this gallant man in green,
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With you I can no longer stay,
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My love I leave my leave I take,
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The time is come I must away.
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Be sure to love each other well.
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Keep in your breast what I do say,
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It is the way to go to heaven,
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When you shall-rise at judgment day,
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The People to their homes did go,
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Which had this mighty wonder seen,
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And said it was an Angel sure,
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That thus was cloathed all in green.
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And thus the news from Westmoreland,
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I have related to you ore;
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I think it is as strange a thing
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As ever Man did hear before.
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Here are the Names of some of the chiefest men that live in the Parish, Christopher Rawly,
Esq. James Fish, Gent. William Lisse, Gent. Simon Pierce, Ambrose White, Oliver Craft,
Robert Bord, Thomas Clifford, Yeomen; George Crawly, Peter Vaux, Phillip Cook; Frances
Martin, George Horton, Husbandmen.
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