Another Bloody murther committed neere Ware, in Hart-
fordshire, by some notorious offenders, who were execu-
ted in the same moneth. To the same Tune.
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KInd hearts give eare to that which I shall tell
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Of a sad story which of late befell,
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In Hartfordshire neere Ware did chance this thing,
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Which caus'd salt teares from many eyes to spring.
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Two men were riding in an evening late,
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That had a charge of money and estate,
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And homeward they intended for to goe,
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But destiny doth oftentimes say no.
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And for these men foure villaines they did watch,
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Which had way-layd them how they them might catch:
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At him which was the formost they did lay,
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But his swift horse did beare him safe away.
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The next they hit, and fell'd him t[o the ground,]
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And rifling him, they gave him m[any a wound,]
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So leaving him, as they did thi[nke for dead,]
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Having his gold, away they stre[ightway fled.]
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Yet one of them did backward c[ast his eye,]
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And did perceive him stir as he di[d lye,]
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Saying, Ile backe, and give him h[is deaths blow]
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For every one of us he well doth kno[w.]
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And with his staffe his braynes he out did bea[te.]
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Then straight this villaine to them did retreate[;]
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But marke how God did bring this thing to lig[ht,]
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For blood and murther he will soone requite.
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One of these theeves a peece of Gold would ch[ange]
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With one that knew him, that did thinke i[t strang]
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He should have gold, yet not the valew kn[ew]
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Into suspition straite his mind it drew.
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And hearing of the murther done of late,
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Would understand how he came by this state,
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And threatning him, he then confest straiteway[,]
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Both him and them which that same man did sla[y.]
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They were convicted, and by Law were tride,
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And for the same all foure of them they dide,
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And he that last went backe, did suffer death,
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Just in the place he spent the true mans breath[.]
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And at the common Execution place,
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The other three did end their fatall race,
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A just reward for murtherers in their kind[,]
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That beare so base and foule a bloody mind[.]
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For he that sits above the heavenly skye,
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Viewes all below with his all-seeing eye[,]
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And will take vengeance when he sees his [will,]
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On all that glories harmelesse blood to spill[,]
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Great God, preserve us from all sodaine deat[h,]
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Prepare our soules before we lose our breath,
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Make us all ready for the day to come,
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When thou shalt give to everyone their doome[.]
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