The Northampton-Shire Knight's
DAUGHTER:
CONTAINING
Her Loyal Love and Constancy to her Father's Serving-man, whom she
admir'd. To the Tune of, The languishing Swain, etc.
Licensed according to Order.
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NEar to a Fountain all alone,
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A Damsel made lamenting moan,
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Unto herself she sigh'd and said,
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What must I live and die a Maid?
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My Father is a worthy Knight,
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My Mother a gay Lady bright,
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And I have plac'd my Love so low,
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That it will prove my overthrow.
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For if my Dear, I maint enjoy,
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This Life of mine I will destroy;
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For what is all the World, said she,
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If robb'd of my felicity?
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My Father's Serving-man I love,
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His very sight I prize above
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All Riches in the World beside;
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O that I was his lawful Bride.
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For him I do such Torments feel,
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Which I no longer can conceal;
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Therefore unto this Grave I make
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Sad Lamentation for his sake.
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I in a Dream receiv'd this Wound,
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And here I lye in Fetters bound;
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But yet my Dearest does not know
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That I adore and love him so.
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Nay, if he understood my Mind,
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And was the like to Love inclin'd,
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Yet he to venture would be loth,
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For fear of my dear Father's wroth.
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I wish he was of high degree,
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Or I my self as poor as he;
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Then, being in an equal state,
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We might not prove unfortunate.
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The Dairy-maid and Shepherd-swain,
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Who trips over the rural Plain,
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In hot and cold, through wet and dry,
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Injoys more Happiness than I.
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When they their Love and Liking place,
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They can with freedom's arms embrace;
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But I am barr'd by Birth and State,
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And therefore most unfortunate.
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My Friends they have prepar'd for me,
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A Fortune of no mean degree,
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No less than a rich Barron-Knight,
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But he is not my Heart's delight.
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My Parents on my Dear will frown,
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I know they'll strive to run him down;
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But let them all do what they can,
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I'll ne'er forsake my Serving-man.
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If my dear Friends and Parents they
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Should strip me of my rich Array,
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Yet I in him can Joys behold,
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For Love is more to me than Gold.
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A most convenient Place I'll find,
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To let him understand my Mind,
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And if with me he will comply,
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With him I'll vow to live and dye.
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My Friends may in a P[?]
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And likewise [?]
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Yet I [?] will not fear,
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[?] two thousand Pounds a Year.
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Of which they cannot hinder me,
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And I can well contented be,
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Having my Dear whom I adore,
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I'll never pine nor wish for more.
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