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EBBA 31210

British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
Lord Henry and Fair Katherine;
OR, THE
Secret Discovered too Late.

IN antient times, in BRITAINs
Isle,
Lord Henry was well known:
No Knight in all the land more
famd,
Or more deservd renown.
His thoughs on honour always run
He neer could bow to love;
No nymph in all the land had
charms
His frozen heart to move.

Among the nymphs where Kath-
rine came,
The fairest face she shews:
She was as bright as morning sun
And sweeter than the Rose.
Altho she was of mean degree,
She daily conquests gains;
For neer a youth who her be-
held,
Escapd her powerful chains.

But soon her eyes their lustre lost
Her cheeks grew pale and wan,
A pining seizd her lovely form,
And cures were all in vain.
The sickness was to all unknown
That did the fair one waste;
Her time in sighs and floods of
tears,
And broken slumbers past.

Once in a dream she cryd aloud,
O Henry! Im undone!
O cruel fate! O wretched maid!
Thy love must neer be known.
Such is the fate of woman-kind,
They must the truth conceal;
Ill die ten thousand thousand
deaths,
Ere I my love reveal.

A tender friend that watchd the
To Henry hied away,
My Lord, says she, weve found
the cause
Of Kathrines quick decay.
She in a dream the secret told,
(Till now no mortal knew)
Alas! she now expiring lies,
And dies for love of you.

The genrous Henry heart was
touchd,
His heart began to flame:
Ah poor unhappy maid, he cryd,
Yet I am not too blame.
Ah! Kathrine, too, too modest
maid!
Thy love I never knew;
Ill ease your pain-And swift as
wind,
To her bed-side he flew.
Awake! awake! he fondly said,
Awake! awake! my dear,
If I had only guessd your love,
You had not shed a tear:
Tis Henry calls, complain no
more,
Renew thy wonted charms;
I come to save thee from despair,
And take thee to my arms.
His words revivd the dying fair,
She raisd her drooping head,
And gazing on the long-lovd
youth,
She started from her bed;
Around his neck her arm she flung
In extacy, and cryd,
Will you be kind? will you indeed
My love!-And so she dyd.

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