The two Constant LOVERS:
OR, A
PATTERN of true LOVE,
EXPREST
In this Dialogue between Samuel and Sarah, etc.
To a pleasant new Tune, etc.
Licensed and Enter'd according to Order.
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AS I by chance was walking,
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on a Summer's day,
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I heard two Lovers talking,
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and thus they did say,
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With a mournful ditty,
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she began her tale,
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Which mov'd my heart with pity
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her for to bewail:
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Sarah.]
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My Love I have desired
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for to speak with you,
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My heart within was fired
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until that I knew
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Whether you were living
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in good health or no,
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My heart it was grieved
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until I did know.
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Samuel.]
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Why, Sweet heart, what ails thee
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thus for to complain?
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Let not ill befal thee,
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thou shalt me obtain:
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Though I were absented
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from thee for a space,
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I'll not be prevented
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of thy comely face.
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Sar.]
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Samuel my own Sweeting,
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I to thee must tell,
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In a heavy greeting,
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what hath us befel:
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My friends do grudge & murmur,
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and to me did say,
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That we must part asunder,
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or else they'll thee destroy.
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Sam.]
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My Love be not grieved,
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though thy friends do frown,
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Thou shalt be relieved,
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none shall put thee down:
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I for thy sweet favour
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will adventure much,
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Though thy friends and brother,
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do against me grutch.
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Sar.]
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O my own dear Sweeting,
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I am griev'd in heart,
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That I give thee such greeting,
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for to breed thy smart;
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Barnwel my own brother,
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Captain being he,
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Swears that of all other,
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killed thou shalt be.
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Sam.]
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Sarah be not fearful,
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though thy brother swear,
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Of thy life be careful,
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I no man do fear:
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What care I for Barnwel,
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though he a Captain be,
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He shall find that Samuel
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is as good as he.
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Sar.]
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O my loving Samuel,
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look where he doth go,
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'Tis my brother Barnwel,
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now begins our woe:
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Would that we together
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had not met this day,
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O my Judas brother
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will thy life betray.
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Now comes Captain Barnwel
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to these Lovers twain,
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And made account that Samuel
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he should soon have slain;
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But it prov'd contrary
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to his bloody mind,
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In the sight of Sarah,
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conquest he resign'd.
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Then said he to Samuel,
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What do you do here?
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I'm with my Sweet-heart Sarah,
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put her not in fear:
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Barnwel in a fury,
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swore he would prevent
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His own sister Sarah
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of her heart's content.
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Sar.]
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O my brother Barnwel,
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let me you intreat,
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Not to wrong my Samuel
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in your bloody heat:
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He hath ne'r offended
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you at any time,
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Let him not be condemned,
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save his life take mine.
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Ay, says Captain Barnwel,
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Sarah thou shalt see;
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Then he call'd to Samuel,
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Come and answer me?
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I thy death have vowed
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e'er I further go.
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Then sweet Sarah bowed,
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saying, Do not so.
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Samuel being heedful
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of his tyranny,
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Says, Sarah be not fearful,
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thou anon shalt see,
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Though thy brother Barnwel,
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vow my life to spill,
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Thou shalt see that Samuel,
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hath both strength and skill
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Now these words being spoke
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they to weapons go,
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Samuel gave him a token
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with a dreadful blow;
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And withal inclosed
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with his enemy;
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Then Barnwel he supposed,
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that himself should dye:
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Then says loving Samuel,
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Are you now content?
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Ay, says Captain Barnwel,
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and withal consent,
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That my sister Sarah
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shall be made thy wife,
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So thou wilt but spare me,
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and not take my life.
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Thus in peace they ceased
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for the present time,
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Sarah much was eased
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of her troubled mind;
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And injoy'd her Samuel
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to her heart's content;
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And her brother Barnwel
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gave his free consent.
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Now these Lovers twain,
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live in joy and peace,
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Pray Heaven upon them rain
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plenty and increase:
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And all true Lovers,
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wheresoe'er they be,
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Aid them with thy favour,
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that have such constancy.
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