EBBA 31903
University of Glasgow Library - Euing
Ballad XSLT Template
The Patient Wife betrayed;
OR,
The Lady Elizabeths Tragedy.
Which was acted between a Knight her Husband, and a wicked Woman his
Whore.
To the Tune of, Chevy Chase, or The Lady Izabells Tragedy.
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OF Turky lately I did read
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concerning of a Knight,
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How that a Whore did him intice
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to kill his hearts delight.
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This man it seems was well belovd
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by many a gallant Peer,
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And for his sake there lives theyd lose
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he was belovd so dear.
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A vertuous wife belike he had
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with beauty fresh and gay,
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Who gave him twenty thousand pound
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upon her Wedding day.
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They lovd each other very well
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and livd a happy Life,
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In four years space three pritty babes
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he had by this his wife.
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But at the last a lewd Woman
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his company did keep,
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Which made his Wife & children small
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with grieved hearts to weep.
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Quoth she fair Knight I love you dear
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but yet my heart do rue,
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Because your Wife do envy me
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for loving you so true.
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Then presently the Knight he said
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I pray thee be content,
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And of my wife be not afraid
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the blame I will prevent.
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With that he goes unto his Wife
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and beats her very sore,
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And make his Lady pardon crave
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for offending of his Whore.
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HE made his Lady give consent
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that she should with him dwell.
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And chargd his servants to content
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this Whore which he lovd well.
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This Harlot she so brazen was
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and clearly void of grace,
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That she to bed with him would go
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before his Ladyes face.
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And thus poor soul this Lady she
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durst not her grief declare,
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Because this Whore would pinch her flesh
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and pull her by the hair.
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She could not yet contented be
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with this same harmless Wife,
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But she did study and devize
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to take away her life.
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Sir Knight your wife cant you abide
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nor me therefore I pray
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Let us together both consent
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to take her life away.
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With that the Knight did strait reply
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to it I do agree,
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But I do fear if it be known
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we both shall hanged be.
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But she did bid him strait go home
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and to her thus declare
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That she must walk along with him
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in the fields to take the Air.
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His Wife then ready did her make
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and joyful was at this,
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That she did hang about his neck
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and gave him many a kiss.
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Then walked they both to a wood,
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whereas this Harlot lay
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And when they came near to the place
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he from her run away.
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Then did this whore come running forth
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out of the Wood with speed,
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With a sharp dagger in her hand
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to act a cruel deed.
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The Lady to see her was amazd
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armd with Dagger and Knife
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Which make her mournfully to cry
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for Gods sake save my Life.
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But she no pitty on her took
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though she did beg and crave
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She presently did cut her throat
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and made the Ditch her Grave.
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This passed on for two long years
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with scuces that he made,
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Which made his Harlot often say
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we shall not be betraid.
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But now one Day they merry was
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with wine and costly chear,
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Then presently a Ghost came in
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which put them all in fear.
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And to this Knight she straitways went
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and thus to him did say,
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Because that thou betraysst my life
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thou shalt with me away.
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His friends & acquaintance being their
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and Gentry great store
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Did see this Knight carryed away
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and never heard of more.
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But when this Whore to tryal came
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the Jewry did agree,
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That she should be chained to a stake
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and so burnd presently.
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Thus you do hear what Whores can do
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if they can have their will,
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Theyl strive to plot all that they can
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all modesty to kill.
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Printed for J. Clark at the Harp and bible in West-Smith field.
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