EBBA 35392
Houghton Library - 25242.67
Ballad XSLT Template
The Virgins Tragedy: Or the
Faithful Maiden, and the Faithless Young man.
Being a true Relation how a young man living in Westminster, fell in Love with a Maid which had Two
hundred pounds to her portion, several promises past betwixt them, and their Love continued for the
space of two years, at the end whereof, he appointed a day for marriage, but the day being come, he
most disloyally cast her off and forsook her; whose unkindness struck so deep to the maidens heart,
that she fell into swouning and distracted Fits, and so miserably languisht for a fortnights time, & then
dyed. Desiring on her Death-bed in the presence of several Neighbours, that her Parents and Rela-
tions would cause her unfortunate Tragedy to be put into Print, which is here done to fulfil the Will
of the Dead: by her brother. Tune is Ginny Gin Or, fare one let me in.
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YOung Gallants all and Ladies fair,
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and Lovers everywhere
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Mark well this truth which I declare,
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which may concern you near,
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Regard your vows and promises
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which you in Love do bind,
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Or else be sure that in this World
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small comfort you will find.
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Remember Batemans faithless friend,
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How she did prove untrue;
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And for reward had in the end
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her just deserved due:
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For in the night out of her bed,
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she carryed was away
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But to what place it was not known
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nor is not to this day.
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But to the story now in hand
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with grief I must relate
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The downfal of a maiden fair
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brought to untimely fate;
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Occasiond by a faithless wretch
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who did her Love disdain
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As you may by the sequel find
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the same for to be plain.
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A Young man late in Westminster
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a man of little fame
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Did with this maiden fall in love
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at least pretend the same:
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Two hundred pounds of good estate
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this girl for Portion had.
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And but a Taylour he was
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of an inferior trade.
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WIth vows & protestations great
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this Maid he did allure
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Still promising that to the end
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his Love it should endure:
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Quoth he my dear and only joy
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thou needs it not to fear
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That e'r I will unconstant prove
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since that I love thee dear.
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The Maiden fair being but young
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scarce fifteen pears of age
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Believing of his tempting tongue
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in Love she did ingage:
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She freely gave him hand and heart,
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not dreading any ill;
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But that he would requite her for 't
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and yield the like good will.
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For two years space thus did they Live
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in Love and friendship pure
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Which made poor Isabel believe
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it alwayes would endure;
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At length a day appointed was
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their Nuptials to attend
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When at that time it came to pass
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he prov'd a faithless friend.
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For why he basely cast her off
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denying all was past
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At which she fell into a swound
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which made her friends agast:
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No help that ever did her good
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they used more or less
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But from that time she languished
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in woe and deep distress.
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Where ever she that wretch did see
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bereft her of her Love
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'Tis said she swouned presently
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his sight her heart did move:
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At length into distracted fits
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she violently fell
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And raved in her frenxy mood
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most fearfully to tell.
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Her friends about her they did flock
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to see her in that case
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And Neighbours all did pitty her
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whoe'r came in that place:
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And thus about a fortnights time
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it cannot be denyed
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But she endured misery
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and in conclusion dyed.
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Tis said that she before her death
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did give him a Release
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Therefore we trust assuredly
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her soul is now at peace:
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What guilt upon his conscience lies
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best to himself is known
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Howere the world may clearly see
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the truth that here is shown
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This may a warning be to all
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young Lovers everyone
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That they do not unconstant prove
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whoe'r they pitch upon:
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Their Oaths and Protestations
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the Lord doth hear and see
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And at the last he will reward
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them all assuredly.
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The maids Epitaph.
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Here within this silent shade
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Lyes the body of a maid
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Who dy'd for Love, and bid adieu
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Because her Lover prov'd untrue
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London Printed for J. Conyers at the Black Raven in Duck-lane.
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