Captain Johnsons Last Farewel to
the World, who was executed at Tyburn, near
London for being concened in stealing an Heirres.
To the Tune of, Russels Farewel; or, Monmonths Lament.
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YOU noble Lords of high Degree,
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That see my dismal Doom;
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Have some Regard, and pitty me,
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Who now, alas! am come
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To die an ignominious Death,
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As it doth will appear;
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While I declare, with my last Breath,
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The Laws are most severe.
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In Scotland I was breed and born,
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Of noble Parents there;
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Good Education did adorn
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My Life, I do declare:
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No Crime did eer my Consciance stain,
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Till I adventurd here;
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Thus have I Reason to complain,
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The Laws are most severe.
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In Flanders I the French have facd,
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And likewise in Ireland
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Still eagerly persued the Chase,
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With valiant Heart and Hand:
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Why was I not in Battle slain;
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Rather then suffer here,
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A Death, which Mortals do disdain,
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The Laws are most severe.
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I did no Hurt, nor any Wrong,
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I solemnly protest;
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But merely for to serve my Friend,
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I granted his Request;
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To free his Lady out of Thrall,
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His Joy and only Dear;
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And now my Life must pay for all,
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The Laws are most severe.
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I coming from my Native Land,
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In this unhappy Time,
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Alas! I did not understand
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The Nature of the Crime;
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Therefore I soon did condescend,
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As it does well appear,
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And find therein I did offend,
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The Laws are most severe.
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In the same Lodging where I lay,
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And livd at Bed and Board,
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My Landlord did my Life betray,
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For fifty Pounds reward;
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Then being into Prison cast,
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Although with Conscience clear;
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I was a arraigned at the last,
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The Laws are most severe.
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The Lady will not hear my Moan,
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While dying Words I sent;
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Her cruel Heart more hard than Stone,
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Would not the least relent;
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But triumphing in my wretched State,
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As I die often here;
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I fall here by the Hand of Fate,
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The Laws are most severe.
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Will not my good and gracious King,
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Be merciful to me;
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Is there not, in his Breast, a Spring,
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Of princely Clemency?
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No, not for me, alas! I die,
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The Hour is drawing near,
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To the last Minute I shall cry
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The Laws are most severe.
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Farewel, dear Countrymen, said he,
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And this tumultuous Noise;
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My Soul will soon transported be,
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To more Celestial Joys,
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Tho in the Blossom of my Youth,
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Pale Death I do not fear;
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For to the last, Ill speak the Truth,
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The Laws are most severe.
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Alas! I have not long to live,
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And therefore now, said he,
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All that wrongd me, I them forgive,
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As God shall pardon me:
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My Landlord and subtle Wife,
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I do forgive them here;
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Farewel, this transitory Life,
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The Laws are most severe.
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