A Mad MARRIAGE;
Or, The Female Fancy of Debtford.
Being an Account of one Margaret a Carpenters Wife, (who to salve up the Credit of a
servant named Mary, who had been dabling with Ch---- Parsons a Seaman, who soon after
left her and went to Sea) dressed her self in Mans Cloaths and was Married to the said
Mary; to prevent the shame of a crackt Maiden-head.
To the Tune of, Moggies Jealousie.
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YOu Lasses of London attend me,
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whilst I a true Project shall tell,
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Which lately was acted in Debtford,
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and known by the Neighbourhood well:
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Such things were ner heard of before,
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as will by my ditty be shown,
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Nor Womens inventions no more
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like to this will for ever be known.
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A Maiden whose name it was Mary,
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at the Sign of the Kings-Head did dwell,
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Who lately we hear did miscarry,
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for her belly began for to swell:
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Her Mistris soon smelt out the matter,
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and took her to task for the same,
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When after some sullen denyals
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she freely confessed her shame.
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And said that Ch----- Parsons a Seaman,
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had been with her something too bold,
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Who Courted and promisd her Marriage,
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and by consent rummidgd her hold:
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And how he had left her dejected,
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and unto the Indies was gone
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And she by her Mistris neglected,
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who gave her no ease to her moan.
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She therefore repaird to the Mother,
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of him that had trust up her Wem
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And prayd her to look up some Linnen,
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to swaddle the Bantling in:
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Her Son she protested was Father,
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and married they were in the Church,
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But since he is gone to the Indies,
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and leaveth me here in the Lurch.
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THe Old woman hereat amazed,
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to find a new Daughter in-Law,
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Desird to know when they marryd,
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whereby her affections to draw:
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And also the Certificate
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she then did desire to see,
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For if that you tell a false Story,
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you lodge not your Bastard with me.
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These words did so nettle our Mary
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she could not tell what to devise,
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She saw the Old woman was careful
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and would not be put off with lyes:
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She on the Rack stretchd her invention,
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and unto a Neighbour did go,
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And opened all her intention,
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and prayd her some favour to show.
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Says the Neighbour Marget, assist me,
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and hear this my pittiful case,
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I know that you may much befriend me,
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and smother my woful disgrace:
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If you in Mans habit will dress ye,
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and take up Ch----- Parsons his name,
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We then in the Church will be married
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and neither of us shall have blame.
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The Carpenters wife soon consented,
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a Suit of her Husbands she got
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The Wedding-day also appointed,
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when she was to act in the Plot:
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To Saint Georges Church they repaired,
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and thereof the Clerk did inform
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Who soon had procured the Parson,
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that they might be married that morn.
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So soon as these Females were wedded,
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the Clerk he was called aside,
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Then Margaret whisperd unto him;
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and said she had wronged the Bride:
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By dabling with her before hand
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and therefore the Certificate,
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Abundance of kindness youl do me
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if that you will it Antedate.
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What is it that money wont do,
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soon answered was the request,
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Then homeward they straight way did go,
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a great deal of joy they exprest:
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The Mother of Parsons was joyed,
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a Daughter-in-Law for to find
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The Certificate being produced,
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the Mother was loving and kind.
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Providing all things that were needful,
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her Grand-child whent came to receive,
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And thought her self blest in her Daughter,
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and did all her stories believe:
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Till on a time Marget and Mary
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with some other Neighbours did meet,
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Carrousing full Bumpers of Brandy,
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themselves did discover the Cheat.
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The which being noised through Debtford,
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the Parson soon of it did hear,
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Who straightway acquainted the Justice
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and caused them both to appear:
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Who having examind the matter,
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and found in um nothing but lies,
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He unto the Round-House did send um
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to remain there till the next Assize.
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