An Answer to The
Merchants Son of Exeter;
Shewing how he fell in love with a Young Damsel, and after he solemnly prote-
sted to be her Loyal Love, wishing the Sea might be his Grave, if he proved falce,
yet after all left her, and Married another. With an Account how he was di-
stracted in Mind for his falce hearted disloyalty, and met at length with his wisht
for destiny.
To the Tune of O how can I be merry or Glad. Licensed according to Order.
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D isloyal lovers listen now,
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unto these lines which here are penn'd;
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For if you shou'd break a solemn vow,
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you may by rewarded in the end.
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A Merchants Son of Exeter,
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thus to a Damsel did complain,
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That he should dye for the sake of her,
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if she did not grant him love again.
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Sweet Charming Saint (he often cry'd)
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be kind, be kind, and pity me;
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For if that my fruit should by deny'd,
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no joy in this world I e're shall see.
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Young-men false-hearted are she said,
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when they the greatest kindness show:
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As soon as our hearts they have betray'd,
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why streight to another lass they go.
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Dearest, my solemn vow ile keep,
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true to the Bonds of loyalty,
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Or let me be swallow'd in the deep,
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if ever I once prove false to thee,
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S Aid she, here's hand and heart I give,
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all that is mine shall be thine own,
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If ever I Marry while I live,
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my love, it shall be to thee alone.
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After those solemn vows had past,
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he like a false deceitful Knave,
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Did leave her to languish at the last;
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and sent her with sorrow to the Grave.
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He took another lass, behold,
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who had bright Guineys more than she;
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And thus for the sake of cursed Gold,
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this Gallant was guilty of Perjury.
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The Marriage knot now being ty'd,
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he was Tormented night and day;
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In private he often wept, and cry'd,
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'tis I that have cast her life away.
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The Bride whom I have Married now,
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doth yield but small delight to me;
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Because I have broke a solemn vow,
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and Ruin'd a loyal love, said he.
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Nay, Conscience in my face doth fly,
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and tells me that I guilty stand,
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No quiet, nor peace, this day have I,
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Therefore I resolve to leave the land.
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Why did my Friends perswade their Son,
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to Marry thus for Gold alone,
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By which I to utter Ruin run,
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I wish that Bride I had never known.
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The Tarment which I under go,
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no Tongue is able to relate;
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My sorrowful eyes with Tears doth flow,
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yet no one can pity my wretched state.
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I might have enjoy'd the sweetest Bride
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as e're was born in Devonshire ,
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For my sake alone sweet Soul she dy'd,
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and left her false lover to languish here.
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I have not an hours rest at most,
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and then strange dreams runs in my head,
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My thanks I behold her bleeding Ghost,
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still hovering, hovering, round my bed.
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Farewell my Wife and Parents Dear,
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this very morning I'll on board,
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On the wide Ocean my cost I'll steer,
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the which may some comfort and joy afford;
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They hoist up sail, and left the shore,
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but on a most unhappy day,
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The Seas did foam, and the Winds did roar,
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and they in a Tempest was cast away.
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Yet all the Men was sav'd but he,
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who wisht the Sea might be his grave,
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And thus for his false disloyalty,
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his Tomb was a watery roaring Wave.
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Thus for the sake of Gold alone,
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he wrong'd his love and conscience too,
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When sinking he gave a bitter groan,
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and thus did he bid the world adieu.
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