The Unfortunate Forrester,
Or, Fair Elener's Tragedy.
Shewing how Lord Thomas, once a bold Forrester, fell in love with the fair Lady Elener, but
his Mother would not suffer him to Marry her, but told him of another that was far Rich-
er: then the Lord Thomas not willing to be undutiful to his Mother, appoints his Wedding
Day, and invites fair Elener to come to his Wedding: who contrary to her Mothers know-
ledge came, and having seen his Bride. She stab'd her self, which Lord Thomas seeing,
took the same Dagger, and Kill'd himself.
Tune is, Chevy Chase
With Allowance.
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AMongst the Forresters of old,
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one Thomas of great fame;
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A champion great, both stout and bold,
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Lord Thomas was his name.
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In shooting too his aim was good,
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the Kings Deer he did slay,
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He did excel bold Robin Hood,
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and often won the day.
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Lord Thomas as they did him call,
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with beauteous Elener,
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So deep in love did chance to fall,
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he could love none but her.
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She also loved him as well,
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and no love there was lost;
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But mark what afterwards befel,
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both in their loves were crost.
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This Elener that was so fair,
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no portion had at all;
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Lord Thomas if he come but near,
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would always on her call.
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Lord Thomas had a Mother who
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his love did understand,
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She made him swear he would nothing do
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unless she did command.
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He promis'd her he would obey,
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and hearken to her voyce;
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Therefore desir'd her for to lay,
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where he should make his choice.
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Oh Son, quoth she, this Elener,
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is fair enough 'tis true;
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And thou mayst chance to beg with her,
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such matches fit not you.
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I Know a pritty black-brow'd Lass,
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though not so handsome quite;
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She her in wealth doth far surpass
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which will give thee delight.
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Well Mother, since it is your will,
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Lord Thomas humbly said,
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I straight way will the same fulfill,
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and Marry the Black-brow'd Maid.
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This thing did much his Mother please,
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and so she went away;
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But Lord Thomas he could find no ease,
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by night nor yet by day.
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He on the morrow mounts his steed,
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and to Elener did ride,
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His Love-sick heart with grief did bleed,
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to think what would betide.
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When to fair Elener he was come,
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he knockt hard at the gate;
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The fearful Virgin being at home,
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ask'd who 'twas knock'd so late.
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'Tis I fair Elener my dear,
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his voice she streight-way knew:
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And as soon as e're she heard him there,
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the gates streight open flew.
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Lord Thomas uttered then his mind,
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and with great grief he cry'd,
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My Mother to me is unkind,
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and hath gotten me a new Bride.
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You to my Wedding I invite,
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and I must not be deny'd;
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They crying kist, then bid good night,
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and Lord Thomas away did ride.
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Fair Elener with grief and woe.
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was stricken almost dead,
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She to her Mother streight did go,
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and told her what he said.
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She ask'd her Mother leave to ride,
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to see if he had got,
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Instead of her, another bride,
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for she believ'd him not.
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Her Mother would not give her leave,
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that she should go to see,
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But she her Mother did perceive,
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and slipt out privately.
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She cloath'd her servants all in green,
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and with her they all did ride,
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She did excel beauties fair Queen,
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in all her glorious pride.
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When to Lord Thomas she was come,
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she ask'd to see his Bride,
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He took her into a private room,
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where both together cry'd.
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He bid her look at that window,
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for there she might be seen,
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Methinks quoth she, good sir, you know
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I am to her a Queen.
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Her self to Murder she was bent,
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and turning to a bed,
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A Dagger to her heart she sent.
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and streight way fell down dead.
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Lord Thomas seeing she was slain,
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the self same Dagger took;
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He vow'd in Heaven her to obtain,
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then to his heart he strook.
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Let Parents therefore have a care,
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how that they do deny
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Their childrens choice, lest that they share,
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those lovers destiny.
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