[A W]arning to Murtherers:
OR,
[?]d and Lamentable Relation of the Condemnation,
[?]n, and Execution, of John Gower Coach-Maker, who was this 23d day of May,
[e]xecuted for Murthering his Wife; by shooting her with a Pistol. Together with
[?]er of his Behaviour and Penitent Expiration.
Murther doth seldom scape,
Hell cannot hide,
The Wretch from Fate,
Whose hands in Blood is dy'd.
To the Tune of, Troy Town.
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[?]y strange I shall relate,
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[?] like before was rarely known,
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[?]est in the Book of Fate,
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[?] of late by Fate been done:
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[?] cruel Wretch that wed,
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[?] to him most kind and true,
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[?] he did frequent her Bed,
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[?]er evil ways he knew.
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[?] wicked woman he,
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[?]npted to a Second wife,
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[?] the Law can never be,
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[?] the first, retaining life.
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When to make way to such a deed,
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he was resolv'd his wife should dye,
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Offering to those that would proceed,
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in such a Monstrous villany.
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Five pounds, but none so wicked were,
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to undertake the hellish act,
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Which made himself not to forbear,
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to do the bloody Hellish fact:
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When under a pretence of Love,
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he sent for the poor wretch whose fate,
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Soon did to her destruction prove,
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how deep she was in his curst hate.
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She lovingly misdoubting not,
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what was decreed against her life,
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Nor in the least did doubt the plot,
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but like a good obedient wife,
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Came to the man whom she loved most,
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who seem'd as kind as heretofore,
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Took her a Lodging, and did boast,
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he would each day increase loves store.
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She well believes and is content,
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to yield to him in every thing,
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Not thinking that her death was meant,
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and that a Bee, so kind would sting.
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One morning towards Hamstead she,
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Together with her Husband went,
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Who was by Hells confedracy,
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on her most sad destruction bent.
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When near to Hamstead they were come,
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and he espied the coast was clear,
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He with a Pistol sign'd her doom,
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and left her dead as did appear:
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For which being try'd and doom'd to dye
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he greatly did bewail his Fate,
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And beg that God would now pass by,
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the dreadful Crime he thought but late
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Did sore repent, wishing all men,
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by his Just fall would warning take
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And not to rush on sins that when,
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committed brought their lives to slake:
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And life not only, but that part,
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the soul Immortal unless he,
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Who dy'd for man did grace impart,
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out of abundant Clemency.
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Desiring all to pray for him,
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That Christ would pardon his [sin]
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And that he who did once redeem [?]
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the Thief. would now extend a[?]
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His Holy arms, and purge the Gu[ilt]
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of blood most Innocent and Jus[t]
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Which wicked he most vilely spe[ilt?]
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in violating so his trust.
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Praying again that all would take
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example by his end and be,
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More loving and never forsake,
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her whom his bosome friend mu[st be?]
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But lovingly still still accord,
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in peace and kindness Unity,
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And daily strive to fear the Lord['s?]
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This said, he unto God commend[s]
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His spirit though polute with sin
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Hoping he might at his blest hand[s]
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Receive a pardon and ye[t] win
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His favour to his wretched Soul,
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then was he turned off to grim [Death?]
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In chains to hang without Contr[ol?]
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when he had lost his latest breath.
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FINIS.
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