Whipping TOM,
Or, The deceitfull KINSMAN.
Maidens beware who you do trust,
For promises may fail,
And when you'r bound for to obey,
Your Prayers will not prevaile.
Tune, Awake Oh my Cloris.
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GIve ear to my ditty,
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and I will declare,
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A Story most strange
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and wonderful Rare:
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Such a Story before
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I do think was ne'r told,
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Nor can be Rehearsed
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by young nor by old.
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In Hertfordshire County
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a maiden did live,
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Content to her master
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she no wayes could give
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And an Orphan she was
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of indifferent parts,
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She had a dull wit,
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and of slender deserts.
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This maiden was troubled
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with some discontent,
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And so in a Pett
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from her master she went:
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But her flight and design
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did appear but in vain,
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For her Kinsman by searching
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soon found her again.
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He straight went to seek
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for to find the girl out,
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Which when he had done,
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he to banish her doubt
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With dissembling speeches
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this girl he betrayed
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And meerly seduced
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this sorrowful Maid.
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And being by him
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thus drawn into a snare,
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With her Kinsman she went,
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who did strangely betray her,
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For he bid her cheer up
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and let sorrow cease,
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And he with her master
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would soon make her peace.
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Through Woods and by Paths,
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with her Kinsman she sent,
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And nothing did dream
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of his wicked intent,
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Till at last he did come
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to a place to his mind,
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And then to this girl
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he prov'd base and unkind.
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He tyed this poor girl
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then full fast to a Tree,
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And never was girl
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so misused as she,
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About her head also
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her Coates he did tye
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When no one could hear
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her most sorrowful cry.
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Then Maidens beware
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when to Service you go
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Let your Actions be just,
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least you are served so,
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For this girl she was whipt
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at a very strange Rate,
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And her Kinsman he prov'd
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a meere piece of deceit.
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And now all good people
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observe but this Weaver,
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Who seem'd to be kind,
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but he was a deceiver:
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Such Kinsmen poor Maidens
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I wish you keep from,
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For there's none can prove worser
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then this whipping Tom.
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But if you do mean
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for to wander a while,
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To a Warren straight go
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give the Keeper a smile
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He may chance for to give
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you a Smock and a Beaver,
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And so I conclude, with
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this pittiful Weaver,
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