A Looking-glasse for Young-men and Maids:
Being a briefe and true Relation of a sad and sorrowfull mis-chance,
which happened to a Young-man and a Maid who both lost their lives, and
were scalded to death in a Brewers Meash-Tun, with striving about a kisse: this
was done upon Twelfth-day last, neere unto Shore-ditch, in the Suburbs of
London; the manner how, shall presently be related. Here is also set down the
time how long they lived after they were taken out of the scalding Liquor, and
of a very godly speech which the Maid made at the houre of death, which is
worthy to be kept in memory, The tune is, the Brides Buriall:
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A Sudden sad mis-chance,
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neere Shoore-ditch late befell.
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Which now with grieved heart & mind
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I am prepar'd to tell:
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Even on the last Twelfth-day,
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being in the afternoone,
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Within a Brew-house certainly
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there was this mischiefe done:
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The manner how was this,
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a Maid to' th' Brew-house came
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To fetch hot Liquor for to use,
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and streight upon the same
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The Miller being there,
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laid hands upon the Maid,
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Intending for to kisse her then,
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and would not be denay'd:
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The Maid unwilling was
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that he should kisse her there,
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She thrust him back with both her hands
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as plainly doth appeare:
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But he poore wretched man
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laid hold on her againe,
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And swore, before he let her goe
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he would a kisse obtaine.
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But as they strugled and striv'd.
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so fiercely one with the other,
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Their Feet did slip, and so fell in
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the Meash-Tun both together
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Where scalding Liquor was,
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a grievous tale to tell,
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They of each other had fast hold,
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and head-long in they frll,
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The Liquor was so hot,
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and scalded them so sore,
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The like I think was never known
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nor heard of here-to-fore:
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At last some people came
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and helpt them out by strength,
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And by that means, they puld from them
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their garments off at length.
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A wofull chance it was,
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as ever could befall,
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For as they stript their clothing off,
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they pul'd off skin and all:
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From bellyes, backs, and sides,
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and from their private parts,
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Which wus a sorrowfull sight to see,
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and terror to Folks hearts.
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The people did their best,
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the lives of them to save.
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But all (alas) it was in vaine,
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no cure that they could have:
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For why? the wofull man
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did in a short time dye,
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The Maid sore sick upon her bed,
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a longer time did lye,
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The second part to the same Tune.
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BUt e're she did depart
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she for her True-love sent,
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Who being come into her roome,
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she praid him be content:
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You are the man, quoth she,
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which I did dearly love,
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And have as faithfull bin to you,
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as is the Turtle-Dove:
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When you a promise made
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that wee should married be,
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This Ring and Bodkin both in love
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you did bestow on me:
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The which in courtesie
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from you I did receive,
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And now with willing mind againe
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the same to you I give:
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Still wishing you good dayes;
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whilst you have breath and life,
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I doe bequeath these things to her
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that you will take to Wife:
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All that I doe request,
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of you this present day,
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Is only, whilst I am alive,
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for my poore Soule to pray,
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And you my Mother deare,
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and all my friends so kind,
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I am enforc'd to leave this World,
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and leave you all behind:
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I have made my peace with God,
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the mighty Lord of Heaven,
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And this I hope through Jesus Christ
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my sinnes shall be forgiven.
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My body scalding hot,
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like fire doth boyle and fry
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Sweet Christ I pray receive my Soule
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although my body dye:
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When she these words had spoke,
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her woes were soone releast,
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She dy'd, no doubt, her Soule is now
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with them whom God hath blest.
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The Miller he likewise,
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e're he resign'd his breath.
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Askt God forgivenesse, for his own,
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and her untimely death:
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Advising all Young-men
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to have a speciall care
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Of rash attempts, and by his fall,
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for ever to beware:
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And to conclude, in briefe:
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I wish that all man-kind
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What-so-ever they doe goe about,
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to have God in their mind:
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The Booke of Common-Prayer,
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though it be laid aside,
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Yet every Christian ought to pray
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that God may be our guide.
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From Famine, Plague, & Pestilence,
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preserve us great and small,
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And from thy wrath, and suddaine death
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good Lord deliver us all,
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