Strange and true News from Westmoreland.
Being a true Relation of one Gabriel Harding, who coming home drunk, struck his Wife a
blow on the breast, and killed her outright, and then denyed the same: Likewise how a
Stranger did come to the House clothed in green, the people that were eye witnesses said
it was an Angel; and how the Stranger or Angel did give Sentence on the man for kil-
ling of his Wife: Also how Satan did break the mans neck that did forswear himself,
and the Stranger or Angel did command Satan to hurt none else, and to vanish; Then
did the Stranger cloathed in green take his leave of the people; whereof he chiefest in
the Parish desired it might be put into Print, and have hereunto set their hands.
Tune is, In Summer time.
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ATtend good Christian people all,
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Mark what I say both old and young
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Unto the General Judgment day
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I think it is not very long.
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A wonder strange I shall relate,
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I think the like was never shown,
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In Westmoreland in Tredenton
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Of such a thing was never known,
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One Gabriel Harding livd of late,
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As may to all men just appear,
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Whose yearly Rent by just account
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Came to five hundred pound a year.
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This man he had a Virtuous Wife,
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In Godly ways her mind did give:
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Yet he as rude a wicked wretch
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As in this sinful Land did live.
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Much news of him I will relate,
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The like no mortal man did hear:
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Tis very new, and also true,
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Therefore good Christians all give ear.
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One time this man he came home drunk
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As he usd, which made his wife to weep,
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Who straightway took him by the hand,
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Saying, Dear Husband lye down & sleep.
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She lovingly took him by the arms,
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Thinking in safety him to guide,
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A blow he struck her on the breast,
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The woman straight sunk down and dyd.
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The Children with mournful cries
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They run into the open street,
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They wept, they waild, they wrung their hands
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To all good Christians they did meet.
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The people then they all ran forth,
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Saying, Children why make you such moan
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O make you haste unto our house
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Our dear mother is dead and gone.
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Our Father hath our Mother killd,
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The Children they cryed then.
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The people then they all made haste,
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And laid their hands upon the man.
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He presently denied the same,
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Said from guilty Murder I am free,
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If I did that wicked deed he said,
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Some example I wish be seen by me.
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Thus he forswore the wicked deed,
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Of his dear wifes untimely end,
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Quoth the people lets conclude with speed,
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That for the Coroner we may send.
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Mark what I say, the doors fast shut,
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The people the Children did deplore,
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But straight they heard a man to speak,
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And one stood knocking at the door.
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One in the house to the door made haste,
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Hearing a man to knock and call,
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The door was opened presently,
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And in he came amongst them all.
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By your leave good people then he said,
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May a stranger with you have some talk,
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A dead woman I am come to see,
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Into the Room I pray Sir walk.
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His eyes like to the Stars did shine,
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He was clothed in a bright Grass green,
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His cheeks was of a Crimson red,
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For such a man was seldome seen.
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Unto the people then he spoke,
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Mark well these words which I shall say,
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For no Coroner you shall send,
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Im Judge and Jury here this day.
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Brng hither the man that did the deed
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And firmly hath denied the same
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They brought him into the room with speed
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To answer to this deed with shame.
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Now come O wretched man quoth he,
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With shame before thy Neighbours all,
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Thy body thou hast brought to misery
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Thy soul into a deeper thrall.
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Thy chiefest delight was drunkenness
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And lewd women, O cursed sin.
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Blasphemous Oaths and Curses vile
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A long time thou hast wallowed in.
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Thy Neighbours thou wouldst set at strife
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And alw[ay]s griping of the poor:
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Besides thou hast murdered thy wife
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A fearful death thou dyst therefore,
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Fear nothing good people, then he said
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A sight presently will appear,
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Let all your trust be in the Lord
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No harm shall be while I am here.
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Then in the Room the Devil appeard
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Like a brave Gentleman did stand;
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Satan (quoth he that was the Judge)
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Do no more than thou hast command.
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The Devil then he straight laid hold
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On him that had murdered his Wife,
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His neck in sunder then he broke,
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And thus did end his wretched life,
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The Devil then he vanished
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Quite from the people in the Hall,
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Which made the people much afraid,
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Yet no one had no hurt at all.
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Then straight a pleasant Melody
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Of Musick straight was heard to sound,
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It ravisht the hearts of those stood by,
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So sweet the Musick did abound.
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Now (quoth this gallant man in green)
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With you I can no longer stay,
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My love I leave, my leave I take,
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The time is come, I must away.
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Be sure to love each other well,
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Keep in your breast what I do say,
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It is the way to go to Heaven
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When you shall rise at Judgment day.
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The people to their homes did go,
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Which had this mighty wonder seen,
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And said it was an Angel sure
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That thus was cloathed all in green.
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And thus the News from Westmoreland
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I have related to you ore;
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I think it is as strange a thing
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As ever man did hear before.
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Here are the Names of some of the chiefest men that live in the Parish: Christo-
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pher Rawly, Esq; James Fish, Gent. William Lisse, Gent. Simon Pierce, Ambrose
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White, Oliver Craft, Robert Bord, Thomas Clifford, Yeomen; George Crawly,
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Peter Vaux, Philip Cook, Francis Martin, George Hor[t]on, Husbandmen.
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