Love's Downfal:
Being a sad and true Relation of a young Lady, who fe[ll] in love with her Father['s]
Stable-groom, but their loves being discovered, was disappointed by her o[n]e Father, who
would have matcht her to a Knight; but she for love of the Groom, fell into Despair,
and in the conclusion made herself away. Likewise how her Death shortned her Father's
Days, and how her faithful Friend, the Groom, ended his own Life with [a] sharp W[ea-]
pon: Being a WARNING to all PARENTS not to Match their C[hildren a-]
against their Wills, etc.
To the Tune of , Flo[ra] farewel: or, True Love rewarded with Loyalty, etc.
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DRaw near young maidens every one,
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unto these words I shall declare,
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I have for you a solid Song,
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will grieve your heart the same to hear:
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There was a Lady fair and bright,
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her Parents had no more but she,
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Who was belov'd of Lord and Knight,
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as you after, the same shall see.
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Her Father kept three Serving-men,
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that waited on him too and fro;
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She lov'd the chiefest amongst them,
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which was the cause of all her woe.
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But yet her Parents nothing knew
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though they kept her in private
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That e'er her love it was so true,
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[or to let on] the Stable-groom.
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For on a time a gallant Knight,
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that was of courage stout and free;
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In him her Father took delight,
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did come in hopes her love to be.
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But because he was of mean estate,
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and the other a Knight of renown;
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She durst not once her mind relate,
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cause fearing of her Father's frown.
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He talkt, he walkt, and did propound
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many questions unto she;
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But yet her heart was after found
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none but the Stable-groom's to be.
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This gallant Knight her Parents love
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and favour he did so obtain;
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They sought all means her heart to move,
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to grant him love for love again.
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[But all their words could not ?]
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[though they did urge her night and day,]
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She thought from them away [to steal],
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and to take a voyage another way.
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But e'er that she could bring to pass,
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by her Father's strict command,
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Her wedding-day appointed was,
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she should be married out of hand.
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But when this news she then did hear,
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and she by no means could it shun;
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She wrung her hands, she tore her hair,
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like one was frantick she did run.
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They [tyd]ings to her Father bring
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what was befallen unto she:
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Who wondred greatly at the thing,
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that such a change so soon should be.
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Then her Father to her came in haste,
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desiring her to tell him her mind,
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And he would ease her grief at last,
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[a] faithful friend she should him find.
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You have a Serving-man, quoth she,
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the which you keep at bed and board,
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The which hath gained my heart from me,
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I love him dearer then a Lord.
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Then straight her Father's wrath did rise,
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in a close room he locked her then:
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Her words so much he did disdain,
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he turned away his Serving-man.
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But when she heard that heavy news,
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her heart with sorrow it was slain;
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She vowed all company to refrain,
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until she saw her love again.
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Then straight a letter she did write,
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and sealed the same with her own hand;
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And these words she did indite,
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and sent it him with strict command:
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How happy is the country girl,
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the which sits spinning at her wheel;
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I would give all my gold and pearl,
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I felt no more then she doth feel.
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[Likewise thrice happy sure is me,]
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[that her true love's presence can enjoy,]
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[Sure fortune will not favour me]
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but see[ks] my life for to destroy.
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Would I had been a scullian-maid,
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or a servant of a low degree,
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Then need not I have been afraid
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to a loved him that would love me.
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B[ut all] my wishes are in vain
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this loathsome life I do annoy
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For I shall ne'r see my love again
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nor yet his company enjoy.
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So farewel friends, and kindred all,
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yet I am bound to pray for you,
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[Alt]ho' you have brought me unto thrall,
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ten thousand times i'll bid adieu.
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And farewel love that [co]uld not gain,
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the flower affection of thy heart:
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I hope that we shall meet again,
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tho' for a while we feel the smart.
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Although they take my love away,
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yet still they cannot hurt my soul;
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Sweet Jesus Christ to thee I pray,
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O Lord, forgive my sins most foul
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Then in her hand she took a knife,
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saying, Farewel love, this is for [thee]:
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Which put a period to her life,
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and so she dyed most patiently.
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But when her Father he did hear,
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and this sad news to him did come,
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How he had lost his daughter dear,
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all for the love of the Stable-groom.
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He pined and mourned himself away,
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and wisht that hour had never been.
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Her true love he himself did slay
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with a weapon sharp and keen.
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Thus you have heard a Pattern rare,
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for Lovers to take warning by,
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'Tis love brings many to despair,
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and so I end my Tragedy.
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