THE
Last Farewel and Lamentation
Of Mrs. McLEOID, who was execute in the Grass-Market of Edinburgh on the 8th
of March 1727, for the Crime of Forgery, with her last Farewel to the World.
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ALL People now both far and near,
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that sees my wretched State,
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Lament my Case, for why I am
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oh! most Unfortunate.
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In Canongate I born was
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of Parents of good Fame,
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Which makes me weep when I think on
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Hanging must be my End.
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(2)
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I ever lov'd my Parents Dear,
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while they were on the Earth,
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But oh! alas, when cruel Death
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deprived them of Breath.
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In the Canongate of Edinburgh
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my Father he had Fame,
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Of Honesty, which none could stain,
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tho' Hanging is my End.
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(3)
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I married was in tender Years
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to one McLeoid by Name,
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A Gentleman of Parents good,
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likewise of Birth and Fame;
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But sinful Ways I did pursue,
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for to augment my Store,
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Which makes me now to quake with fear;
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I'm ruin'd evermore.
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(4)
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My Husband cry'd, Leave off, leave off
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your Cheating Sinful Ways,
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Or you and I will surely smart
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when we are brought to Size.
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She cry'd begone you silly Slave,
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and do not trouble me,
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For Forgery I am condemn'd
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to hang upon a Tree.
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MY loving Husband he is gone,
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and left me here forlorn,
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Because for Forgery I am seiz'd,
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which makes my Heart to mourn.
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I never Forg'd in my Life,
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nor knew what it did mean,
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I never could incline my Heart,
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to act such horrid Sin.
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(2)
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But yet I apprehended was,
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and cast in Prison strong,
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For Forgery, which grieves my Heart;
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but those that did me Wrong,
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I leave them to the Judgment Day
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when they must all appear,
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To answer for that Blood, was shed,
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was purchased so dear.
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(3)
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When that the noble Lords did call,
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I Pannel'd was with speed,
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The City Guard convey'd me there,
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to Answer for the Deed.
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I charged was with Forgery,
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which I did still deny,
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But I was Guilty found at last
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for which I'm doom'd to die.
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(4)
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Now all good People Young and Old,
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mark well what I shall say,
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Serve ye the Lord while you have Breath
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sincerely Night and Day,
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And never let your Thought incline
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to Forg'ry be not bent,
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For which I am arraign'd and cast;
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you'll see my fatal End.
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(5)
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Now fare you well all Earthly Joys,
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farewel, farewel to thee,
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My precious Soul is panting long
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the Heavenly Courts to see.
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O save me now in my Distress,
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with thee there's Joys full Store;
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Farewel, farewel all Earthly Joys,
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farewel for evermore.
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