THE
Merchants Son of Exeter:
Shewing how he Courted a Mercers Daughter whom he
Pretended he dearly Loved, yet after faithful vows and solemn Engagements, he
left her and Marri'd with another, which was the cause of her Languishing to
Death.
Tune is, O How can I be merry or Glad. Licensed according to Order.
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SUsan a Mercer's Daughter dear,
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all in the Town of Exeter,
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Her beautiful Charms did so appear,
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that many was soon in love with her.
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Among the rest that wood his maid,
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one was a Merchants only Son,
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Who after in sorrow sighing said,
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O Love me or I to ruine run?
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Pity thy Lover sad Complaint,
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and grant me here thy kind good will,
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For 'tis in thy power sweet charming Saint,
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this minute my Life to save or kill.
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The youthful Damsel straight reply'd,
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if thou wilt loyal prove to me,
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I tell thee whatever me betide,
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I will be as just and true to thee.
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Ne'r doubt but I will constant prove,
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the youth immediately reply'd,
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With kisses we'll seal the bonds of Love,
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and soon thou shalt be my lawful Bride.
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A Ring of Gold to her he gave,
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and many solemn vows did make,
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Declaring the Seas should be his Grave,
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if ever he did his promise break,
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Now for a twelve months space or more,
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he seem'd to love her as his life,
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Yet tho' he did thus her charms adore,
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she yet was not his Marri'd Wife.
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Yet after all I pray behold,
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how false this Merchants Son did prove,
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A Lady that had more store of Gold
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he Courted, and left his Loyal Love.
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Now when this Damsel came to hear,
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of this young-mans Disloyalty,
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She said with a sigh and melting tear,
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he cannot be sure so false to me!
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But to her grief she found it true,
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when being left in deep dispair,
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He Marri'd within a day or two,
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and left his young beautiful Damsel fair.
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Now on her false Loves Wedding day,
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she to her Chamber straight did go.
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Where wringing her hands she sighing lay,
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while melting tears from her eyes did flow.
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No man said she more false on Earth,
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by Conscience it will soon be try'd,
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While you are in your Joy and Mirth,
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remember your broken vows she cry'd?
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His Life he desired me to save,
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I pittied then his wretched state,
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When I shall be dead and laid in Grave,
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'Tis well if he don't repent too late.
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Those many solemn vows one day,
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may be a torment to his mind,
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As knowing he did my life betray,
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sure never was Lover more unkind.
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Farewel you Loyal Lovers all,
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this day I bid you all adieu,
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O trust nor believe no man at all,
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for they will endeavour to ruin you.
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He wish'd the Sea might be his Grave,
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and that he never more might thrive,
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If ever he false to me did prove,
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so long as he should remain alive.
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Yet while he sails the Ocean Sea,
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let providence still be his Guide,
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For tho' he has thus been false to me,
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I do not desire revenge, she cry'd,
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Once more farewell my Parents dear,
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come Death and give the fatal stroke,
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For why should I longer languish here,
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with sorrow her tender heart she broke.
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