The Mirror of Mercy,
In our Gracious KING's Pardoning of Edward Skelton:
Who was Condemned to Dye, as being Accessary with Richard Richardson, in the Murder
of Henry Howard, Gentleman; but by the Intercession of Eighteen young Maidens, ob-
tained his Majesties most Gracious Pardon for him.
To the Tune of, Joy to the Bridegroom: Or, In Summer time.
This may be Printed, R.P.
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HEard you not of the Headborough,
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Who fell into a strange Demur?
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By Murdering of a Gentleman,
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Whose Life, alas! he did Trappan:
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He had no reason to proceed
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In such a bloody Wicked deed.
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And if I may declare the truth,
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There likewise went with him a Youth;
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One in the Glory of his prime,
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Prov'd accessary to the Crime:
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They both Committed was to Goal,
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Where they their sorrows might bewail.
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Since they have this destruction wrought
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Before the Bar they both were brought;
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To prove them Guilty Men, or clear,
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But as the truth does well appear,
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They both Condemned was to dye,
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As the Reward of Villany.
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When his acquaintance they did hear,
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That he must loose his life so dear,
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That he ordained was for Death,
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And to resign his dearest breath,
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No tongue is able to declare
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The sorrow of their grief and care.
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They all in sorrow did relate.
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Their grief, for by unhappy Fate,
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He being well belov'd we hear,
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Of all that lived far and near:
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In sorrow they lament and grieve,
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O that we could gain his Reprieve!
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Since there's no other remedy,
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We'l to our Royal Majesty;
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In humble sort we will intreat,
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And prostrate at his Royal feet;
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Who knows but pitty may him move,
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To grant the life of him we love.
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No Cost or Charges did they spare,
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But readily they did prepare,
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Five Coaches thus was fill'd withal,
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Who hasted straight unto White-Hall;
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With Eighteen Damsels all in White,
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It was a fair and comely sight.
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They gain'd a Favour in this thing,
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And was admitted to the King;
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Where falling low upon their Knee,
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Before his Princely Majesty:
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He their Petition did receive,
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And likewise granted a Reprieve.
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Upon our most Renowned Prince,
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They did obtain that influence;
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The Spring of Mercy so did flow,
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To expiate their grief and woe;
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And did extend his Clemency,
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While the fair Maids was standing by.
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This did renew each drooping heart,
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Straight from the Court they did depart,
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It was a Youthful Maiden Train,
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Which did to him return again:
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Where he remain'd in woful fears,
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To sound glad tydings in his Ears.
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Then coming where this Youth did lye,
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In grief and great Extreamity,
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Chear up, said they, be not cast down,
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Our Gracious Prince of high Renown,
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In Mercy now hath pardon'd thee,
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And grants thee Life, and sets thee free.
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No Tongue is able to express,
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His true unfeigned thankfulness;
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Said he, in Solemn sort I vow,
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Ne'r to forget his Mercy now:
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No Branglement shall ever cause
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Me e're to Violate his Laws.
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After they had Discours'd a while,
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Which did his sorrows so beguile;
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They all together home did go,
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Which made a most Delightful show;
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Through all the town where e're they came
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And spread the News on Wings of Fame.
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FINIS.
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