Natures Wonder?
OR,
[An Acc]ount how the Wife of one John Wate[r]man an Ostler in the Parish of [F]isherton
-Anger, near Salisbury, was Delivered of a strange Monster upon the 26th. of October 1664.
which lived untill the 27th. of the same Moneth. It had two Heads, foure Armes, and two Legs.
The Heads standing contrary each to the other; and the Loines, Hipps and Leggs Issueing out
of the middle, betwixt both. They were both perfect to the Navell, and there joyned in one,
being but one Sex, which was the Female. She had another Child born before it (of the Female
Sex) whieh is yet living, and is very comely Child in all proportions. This is Attested for
truth, by several Persons which were eye wittnesses.
The Tune is, London Prentice: Or, Jovial Batchelor.
|
COme take a view good People all,
|
observe it well with heed,
|
A stranger Wonder Nature did
|
nere frame of Humane Seed;
|
A Monster of mishapen Forme
|
I here to you present,
|
By this Example you may learn
|
to feare Gods Punishment.
|
Strange Wonders hath been lately shown
|
within our English Nation;
|
But none so strange as this was known,
|
youl find by this Relation;
|
Then give attention to the same,
|
Ile show you how it was,
|
To tell the truth it is no shame,
|
for thus it came to passe.
|
At Fisherton near Salisbury,
|
a Husbandman doth dwell
|
John Waterman so calld is he,
|
his Neighbours all can tell;
|
It was his Wife which did bring forth
|
this strange Mishapen Thing:
|
From East to West, from North to South
|
the News thereof will ring.
|
It was but in October last,
|
the Six and twenty day,
|
No longer since twas done and past:
|
I can for certaine say
|
This Woman was Delivered well,
|
and with her Life she scapt
|
Of this same Monster now Ile tell
|
how strangely twas Mishapt.
|
|
|
|
|
The second Part, to the same Tune.
|
TWo Heads it had, grew opposite,
|
the Picture plain appeares
|
With all proportions fair in sight,
|
Mouthes, Noses, Eyes and Eares,
|
Two Bodies shaped perfectly,
|
down to the Navel seen,
|
And there they joyned wondrously,
|
the Hipps and Leggs between.
|
The bodies being joynd in one,
|
were of the Female Sex,
|
The like thereof was never known,
|
they strangely did Connex;
|
Four Armes were on the body placd,
|
it had of Leggs but two;
|
Thus Nature had her work defacd,
|
which she doth seldom do.
|
The Women they were all afraid
|
to see this fearfull sight,
|
And eke the Midwife much dismayd
|
when as it came to light,
|
But most of all the Mother weak
|
her grievious Paines was much,
|
She had not power long time to speak
|
her sorrow it was such.
|
Two dayes and nights this Monster livd
|
in woefull misery,
|
The Parents they were sadly grievd,
|
the Neighbours came to see;
|
At length it dyd, and was conveyd
|
for Chyurgeons to Dissect,
|
And what Report thereof had said,
|
they found it in Effect.
|
Another babe this Mother sad
|
brought forth at the same birth,
|
A comelier Ch[i]ld on woman had
|
upon the face oth Earth;
|
Nature in-that did make amends,
|
proportioning each Part;
|
She may bring joy unto her Friends,
|
and chear her Mothers heart.
|
Afflictions God doth sometimes send
|
to Parents for their sin,
|
When they will not their lives amend,
|
then doth the Lord begin
|
With Judgments for to humble them,
|
and make them feel his hand;
|
O turn unto the Lord in time,
|
for none can Him withstand.
|
Our God hath many wayes to make
|
vile Sinners come to shame:
|
If once they do his Laws forsake,
|
and wrong his holy Name,
|
A thousand Judgments (worse then this)
|
he on that People brings,
|
That will not mend what is amiss,
|
but all such hainous Sinnes?
|
Then Parents all Example take,
|
at all times seek the Lord;
|
Fruit of your bodies he can make
|
by your own selves abhord:
|
Your Children which should be a joy
|
and comfort in the end,
|
The Lord in fury will destroy,
|
if you do him Offend.
|
|
|
|
|