An ANSWER TO
The Northampton-shire Knight's
DAUGHTER,
Containing the Lady's Constancy, and the Serving-man's Courage, in Duel against
her former Love, who would have rescu'd her from him; together with her Parents Re-conciliation, upon the account of his Valour. Tune of, The Languishing Swain .
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THe Lady of Northampton -shire,
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Who lov'd a Serving-man so dear,
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She now injoys her Heart's delight,
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Though once she fear'd her Ruine quite.
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She on a certain day did go,
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To William who she honour'd so;
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When walking near a Bower fair,
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She wittily discours'd him there.
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As they beneath the Shades did walk,
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They did of Love together talk:
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Where William he did blush to find,
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The youthful Lady prove so kind.
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I prethee William, she reply'd,
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Suppose I help thee to a Bride ,
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One that will make a vertuous Wife ,
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Canst thou forego a single life ?
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Dear Madam, let me see her Face,
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Her rosie Cheeks and charming Grace;
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Then if I like her, you shall find
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That I can be to Love enclin'd .
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She took young William by the hand,
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And said, Do not disputing stand ,
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For she's a proper comely Dame,
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As like my self, as if the same .
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I wish it was yourself , said he;
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O then I should right happy be,
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With whom I should have Riches store;
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For 'tis a Sorrow to be poor .
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Suppose I was the Lady, Will,
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And that my Friends should take it ill,
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Stripping me of my rich Array,
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How should we live another Day?
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I have , said he, a small Estate ,
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The which was left me but of late;
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With that, and my Industry,
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I hope I shall provide for thee.
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Well said, my dear and loyal Love;
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Do thou but true and constant prove,
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Then we a living need not fear,
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I have two thousand Pounds a Year,
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Besides three hundred Pounds in Gold,
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As good as ever Merchant told;
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And if I had ten times more,
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Thou should'st be Lord if all my Store.
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Let Father frown, and Mother chide,
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'Tis all a case, I'll be thy Bride.
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This said, they did appoint the Day,
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And marry'd were without Delay.
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Now when her Friends the News did know,
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They to her former Love did go,
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And willing him for her to fight:
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I will , reply'd the Baron-Knight.
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The noble Challenge being made,
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This Serving-man such Weapons plaid,
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That he the Baron-Knight did wound,
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And laid him bleeding on the ground.
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So soon as e'er he felt the smart,
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He cray'd, Take her with all my Heart;
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It seems she is thy lawful wife,
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For her I'll never lose my Life.
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And thus the Serving-man by fight,
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Secur'd his vertuous Lady bright,
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Who was her Parents only Child;
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And all her Friends are reconcil'd.
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