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EBBA 31421

British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
A New SONG.

THERE was a man in Oxford,
He was a Squires son,
He kept a handsome housekeeper,
Whom he long doated on;
He often takes her by the hand,
Fetching a sigh and cry,
O love me my dear Molly,
Its for you love I die.

With oaths and protestations
He made a solemn vow,
With many admirations,
But mark good people how;
Then Molly being entangled,
In fickle Cupids snare,
He quickly got to bed to her,
As you the truth shall hear.

Poor Molly provd with child,
And when he the same did know,
He quickly changd his mind,
And to another he would go:
To one that had more wealth than her,
And when she knew it then,
She said I find unto my grief,
Their is deceit in men.

Her father was not willing,
That she should married be,
Because she was an Heiress,
And so they did agree;
To marry the next morning,
Before the break of day,
They were to meet at the church door,
Before the hour of three.

Then Molly being told;
By one that was her friend,
O then, says she, if this be true,
Hell surely me offend;
But I will come up with him
For all his treachery,
For all the tricks that he has done,
Ill fit him to a tee.

Then Molly sent a letter,
And seald it with her hand,
And gave it to the lady,
To let her understand;
Her love was taken very sick,
Therefore my dear I pray,
That you will put the wedding off,
Until another day.

With a mask upon her head
To the church she did repair,
Just at the hour appointed,
Met the Parson and the Squire:
He took her into church,
They were married speedily,
He took her up behind him,
And homeward they did hie.

Then going to his stately steed,
To take his lovely bride,
Who when he brought her to the door,
O then he thus replied;
Youre welcome now my dear, said he,
To your own habitation,
Then going to salute her,
He started in a passion:

Oh! hang me what have I done,
And started in a fright,
O no my dear, said she,
Youve done the thing thats right;
You cunningly deceived me,
When my maidenhead you got,
But now if youll believe me,
Youre fitted for your plot.

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