Loves Downfall.
Being a sad and true Relation of a young Lady, who fell in love with her Fathers Sta-
ble-Groom, but their loves being discovered, was disappointed by her one father,
who would have matcht her to a Knight but she for love of the Groom, fell into dispair,
and in the conclusion made her self away. Likewise how her death shortned her Fa-
thers days, and how her faithful friend the Groom ended his own life with a sharp
weapon, being a warning for all parents not to match their children against their
mind. To the Tune of, Flora farewel Or, True Love rewarded with Loyalty.
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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 hearts 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 room:
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That e're her Love it was so true,
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or so set 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 fathers 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-grooms 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 prevail,
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though they did urge her night & day,
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She thought from them away to stead,
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and to take a Voyage another way.
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But ere that she could bring to pass,
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by her Fathers 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 tydings 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 Fathers wrath did rise,
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in a close room he locked her than:
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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 heady 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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Writ 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 she,
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that her true Loves presence can enjoy,
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Sure fortune will not favour me,
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but seeks 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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But 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 farewell friends, and kindred all,
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yet I am bound to pray for you,
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Though you have brought me unto thral
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ten thousand times i'le bid adieu.
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And farewel Love that could 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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though 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 the 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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