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EBBA 31457

British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
The Distracted Maids Lamentation.

YOUNG Maidens all pray pity me,
And think of my Extremity,
My Love is prest and gone to Sea,
Whilst I am confined in Misery.

I am confined in Bedlam you see,
With Iron Fetters that are strong,
And till my Love Returns from Sea,
My Parents they have done me Wrong.

My Chains they Rattle Day and Night,
My Parents they sent me out of Spight,
Because my Love was forced to Sea,
To fight against his Enemy.

O could I but my Love espy.
Swiftly into his Arms Id fly,
And tell him of my Grief and Woe,
The Sorrows that I undergo.

But if he chance to be slain,
Or by his Enemies be taken,
O then my Heart would burst in twain,
I neer shall see my Love again.

O then my Parents would be pleased,
To think hes buried in the Seas,
Perhaps he may Return again,
And bring me Riches out of Spain.

O Pity me ye Powers above,
Grant that once more I see my Love,
To heal me of my grief and Woe,
The sorrow which I undergo.

But if I have not some Relief.
Quickly my tender Art will break,
She had no sooner spoke but cries,
And so she laid her down and dies.

The ANSWER.

YOung Billy coming home from Sea,
Thinking his own true Love to see,
Unto her Fathers House he goes,
Enquiring for his Lovely Rose.

Her Father Answering with a frown,
He said my Daughters out of Town,
I pray unto your Ship Repair,
For sure you have no Business here.

A Neighbour happened to stand by,
Immediately made this Reply,
In BEDLAM there she was confined,
And for your Sake alone confined.

O then he said Revenged Ill be,
Uyon her Fathers Cruelty,
Then from his Pocket drew a Knife.
He soon did end her Fathers Life.

Then strait he run unto the Grave,
Wherein his own true Love was laid,
And with the same sharp Bloody Knife,
He soon did End his Precious Life.

Unto you Parents all I write
Neer strive your Children for to spite,
Neer Cross them in their Love I pray
For fear you Rue another Day.

The Bedlam keeper being there,
Hearing of all they did declare,
With Pen and Ink he took it down,
And sent it to her Friends in Town.


FINIS.

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