The SUFFOLK MIRACLE; OR, The Relation of a young Man, who after his Death appeared to his Sweet-heart, and carryed her behind him Forty Miles, in two Hours Time, and was never seen after, but in the Grave. To the Tune of, My Bleeding Heart, etc.
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A Wonder strange as eer was known,
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Then what I now shall treat upon,
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In Suffolk there did lately dwell,
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A Farmer rich, and known full well.
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He had a Daughter fair and bright,
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On whom he placd his chief Delight,
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Her Beauty was beyond compare,
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She was both virtuous and fair.
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A young Man there was living by,
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Who was so charmed with her Eye,
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That he could never be at rest,
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He was with Love so much possest.
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He made Address to her and she
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Did grant him Love immediately,
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Which when her Father came to hear,
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He parted her, and her poor Dear.
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Forty Miles distant was she sent,
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Unto his Brother with intent,
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That she should there so long remain,
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Till she had changd her mind again,
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Hereat this young Man sadly grievd,
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But knew not how to be relievd,
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He sighd, and sobd continually,
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That his true Love he could not see.
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She by no Means could to him send,
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Who was her Hearts espoused Friend,
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He sighd, she grievd, but all in vain,
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For she confind must still remain.
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He mournd so much that Doctors Art
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Could give no Ease unto his Heart,
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Who was so strangely terrifyd,
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That in short time for Love he dyd.
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She that from him was sent away,
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Knew nothing of his dying Day,
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But constant still she did remain,
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To Love the Dead was then in vain.
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After he had in Grave been laid,
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A Month or more, unto this Maid
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He comes about middle of the Night,
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Who joyd to see her Hearts Delight.
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Her Fathers Horse which well she knew,
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To be her Mothers Safeguard too,
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He brought with him to testifie,
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Her Parents Order he came by.
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Which when her Uncle understood,
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He hopd it might be for her Good,
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And gave consent to her straight way,
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That with him she should come away.
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When she was got her Love behind,
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They passd as swift as any wind,
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That in two Hours, or little more
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He brought her to her Fathers Door.
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But as they did this great haste make,
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He did complain his Head did ake,
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Her Handkerchief she then took out,
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And tyd the same his Head about.
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And unto him she thus did say,
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Thou art as cold as any Clay,
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When we come home a Fire well have,
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But little dreamt he went to Grave.
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Soon were they at her Fathers Door,
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And after she neer see him more;
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Ill set the Horse up then, he said,
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And there he left this harmless Maid.
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She knockt and straight a main, he cryd,
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Whos there? tis I, she then replyd:
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Who wonderd much her Voice to hear,
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And was possest with dread and fear.
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Her Father she did tell, and then,
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He stard like an affrighted Man,
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Down Stairs he ran and when he see her,
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Cryd out, my Child, how camst thou here?
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Pray Sir, did you not send for me,
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By such a Messenger, said she,
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Which made his Hair stare on his Head,
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As knowing well that he was dead,
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Where is he then, to her, he said,
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Hes in the Stable, quoth the Maid,
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Go in said he, and go to Bed,
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Ill see the Horse well littered.
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He stard about and there could he,
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No shape of any Mankind see,
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But found his Horse all in a sweat,
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Which made him in a deadly fret.
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His Daughter he said nothing to,
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Nor no one else, though well they knew,
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That he was dead a Month before,
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For fear of grieving her full sore.
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Her Father to his Father went,
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(Who was deceasd) with this Intent,
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To tell him what his Daughter said;
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So both came back unto this Maid.
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They askd her and she still did say,
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Twas he that then brought her away,
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Which when they heard they were amazd
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And on each other strangely gazd.
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A Handkerchief, she said, she tyd,
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About his Head, and that they tryd,
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The Saxton they did speak unto,
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That he the Grave would then undoe.
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Affrighted then they did behold,
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His Body turning into mould,
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And tho he had a month been dead,
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This Handkerchief was about his Head
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This thing unto her then they told,
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And the whole truth they did unfold,
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She was thereat so terrified
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And grievd, she quickly after dyed.
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Part not true Love, you rich Men then,
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But if they be right honest Men,
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Your Daughters Love give them their way
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For force oft breeds their Lifes decay.
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