Strange News from WESTMORELAND.
Being a true Relation of one Gabriel Harding, who coming home Drunk, struck his Wife a
blow on the Breast and killed her out-right; then did he forswear the evil Deed which he knew
himself guilty of. Likewise how a stranger did come to the House cloathed in Green, the people
that were eye witnesse said it was an Angel. Likewise how the Stranger or Angel did give Sen-
tence upon the man for killing of his Wife. Also how Satan did break the mans Neck that did
forswear himself; and the Stranger or Angel did command Satan to hurt none else, and to va-
nish: which being done, there was a pleasant Harmony of Musick heard to sound: Then did
the Stranger cloathed in Green, take his leave of the people; whereof the chiefest in the Parish
desired it might be put in Print, and have hereunto set their Hands.
To the Tune of, In Summer time.
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ATtend good Christian people all,
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Mark what I say both old and young,
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Unto the general Judgement Day
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I think the times not very long.
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A wonder strange I have t relate,
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I think the like was never shown,
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In Westmoreland at Tredenton,
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Of such a thing was never known.
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One Gabriel Harding livd of late,
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As may to all men just appear;
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Whose yearly Rent by just account
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Came to five hundred pound a year.
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This man he had a vertuous Wife,
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In godly wayes her minde did give;
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Yet he as rude a wicked wretch
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As in this sinful Land did live.
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Such news of him I will relate;
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The like no mortal man did hear,
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Tis very new, and all so true,
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Therefore good Christians all give ear;
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One time this man he came home drunk
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As he usd, which made his Wife to weep,
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Who gently took him by the hand;
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Saying, Dear Husband lie down and sleep.
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She lovingly took him by the arm,
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Thinking in safety him to guide;
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A blow he struck her on the Breast,
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The Woman straight sunk down and dyd.
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The Children then with mournful cryes
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They run into the open street,
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They wept, they waild, they wrung their hands
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To all Christians that they did meet.
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The people then they all run forth,
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Said, Children why make you such moan?
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O make you haste unto our house!
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Our dear Mother is dead and gone:
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Our Father hath our Mother killd
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The Children they cryed out than,
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The people then they all made haste
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And laid their hands upon the man.
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He presently denyd the same,
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Said, from guilty Murder I am free,
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If I did that wicked deed he said,
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Some Example I wish be seen by me.
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Thus he forswore the wicked deed
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Of his dear Wives untimely end:
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Quoth the people, lets conclude with speed
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That for the Crowner we may send.
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Mark what I say, the doors fast shut,
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The people the Children did deplore;
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But straight they heard a man to speak,
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And one stood knocking at the door.
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One in the house to the door made haste,
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Hearing a man to knock and call,
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The door was opened presently
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And in he comes amongst them all.
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The second Part, to the same Tune.
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BY your leave good people then he said,
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May a stranger with you have some talk,
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A dead woman I am come to see;
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Into the Room I pray Sir walk:
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And in the Room where as he stood,
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He was of such a comely grace
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Their hearts were all a ravished
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With the sweet complexion of his face:
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His eyes like to the Stars did shine,
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He was cloathed in a bright Grass green;
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His cheeks was of a Crimson red
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Of such a man was seldom seen.
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Unto the people then he spake,
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Mark well these words which I shall say,
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For no Crowner you shall send,
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Im Judge and Jury here this day:
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Bring hither the man that did the deed
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And boldly hath denyd the same,
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They brought him into the room with speed
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To answer his wicked deed with shame.
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Now come O wicked man quoth he
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With shame before thy Neighbours all,
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Thy body thou hast brought to misery,
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Thy soul into a deeper thrall.
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Thy full delight was drunkenness,
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And leud Women, O cursed sin,
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Blasphemous Oathes, and Curses vile
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A long time thou hast wallowed in:
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Thy Neighbours thou wouldst set at strife
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And alwayes griping on the Poor;
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Beside thou hast murdered thy Wife,
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Alack what salve will cure thy sore.
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Thy Family within thy house
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Food thou wouldst grudge continually:
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O wicked man, thy self prepare!
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A fearful death thou rt sure to dye.
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Fear nothing good people then he said,
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A sight presently will appear;
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Let all your trust be in the Lord,
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No harm shall be while I am here.
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Then in the Room the Devil appeard,
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Like a brave Gentleman did stand:
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Satan, quoth he that was the Judge,
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Do no more then thou hast command:
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The Devil then in an ugly shape,
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He danced round about the Hall,
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Which made the people much afraid
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He had such fearful looks withal.
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The Devil then he straight laid hold
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On him that had murdered his Wife,
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His neck in sunder then he brake,
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And thus did end his wretched life.
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The Devil then he vanished
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Quite from the people in the Hall,
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Which made the people much amazd,
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Yet no one had no hurt at all.
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Then straight a pleasant melody
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Of musick sweet was heard to sound,
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It ravisht the hearts of those stood by
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So sweet the Musick did abound.
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Now quoth this gallant man in green,
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With you I can no longer stay,
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My love I leave, my leave I take,
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The time is come I must away.
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Be sure to love each other well,
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Keep in your breast what I do say,
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It is the way to go to Heaven
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When you shall rise at Judgement Day.
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The people to their homes did go
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Which had this mighty wonder seen,
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And said it was an Angel sure,
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That thus was cloathed all in green.
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And thus the news from Westmoreland,
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I have related to you ore,
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I think it is as strange a thing
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As ever man did hear before.
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