Srange and true News from Westmoreland.
Being a true relation of one Gabriel Harding who coming home drunk, struck his Wife a blow
on the breast, and killed her out-right, and then denyed the same: Likewise how a Stran-
ger did come to the house cloathed in green, the people that were eye-witnesses said it was
an Angel, and how the Stranger (or Angel) did give sentance to the man for killing of his
Wife: Also how Satan did break the mans neck that did forswear himself. and the Stran-
ger (or Angel did command Satan to hurt none else, and to vanish; which being done, there
was a pleasant harmony of musick heard to sound; then did the stranger cloathed in green
take his leave of the people; whereof the chiefest in the Parish desired it might be put into
print, and have hereunto set their hands. Tune is, In Summer time.
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ATtend good Christian people all,
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Mark what I say both old and young,
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Unto the general judgment day,
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I think it is not very long,
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A wonder strange I shall relate,
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I think the like was never shown,
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In Westmoreland in Tredenton,
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Of such a thing was never known.
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One Gabriel Harding liv'd of late,
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As may to all men just appear,
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Whose yearly rent, by just account,
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Came to five hundred pound a year.
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This man he had a vertuous wife,
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In Godly ways her mind did give,
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Yet he as rude a wicked wretch,
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As in this sinful Land did live,
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Much news of him I will relate,
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The like no mortal man did hear,
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'Tis very new and also true,
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Therefore good Christians all give ear.
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One time this man he came home drunk,
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As he us'd which made his wife to weep,
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Who straitway took him by the hand,
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Saying dear husband lie down and sleep.
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She lovinly took him by the arms,
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Thinking in safety him to guide,
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A blow he struck her on the breast,
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The woman straight sunk down and dy'd.
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The Children then with mournful cries,
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They run into the open street,
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They wept, they wail'd, they wrung their hands,
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To all good Christians that they meet.
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The people then they all ran forth,
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Saying Children why make you such moan
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O make you haste unto our house,
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Our dear Mother is dead and gone.
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OUr Father hath our mother kill'd,
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The Children they cry'd then,
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The people then they all made haste,
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And laid their hands upon the man.
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He presantly deny'd the same,
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Said from guilty Murder I am free,
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If I did that wicked deed he said,
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Some example I wish be seen by me.
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Thus he forswore the wicked deed,
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Of his dear wives untimely end
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Quoth the people let's conclude with speed,
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That for the Coroner we may send.
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Mark what I say, the doors fast shut,
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The people the Children did deplore,
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But straight they heard a man to speak,
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And one stood knocking at the door.
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One in the house to the door made haste,
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Hearing a man to knock and call.
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The door was opened presently,
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And in he came amongst them all.
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By your leave people then he said,
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May a stranger with you have some talk,
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A dead woman i'me come to see,
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Into the room I pray Sir walk.
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His eyes like to the Stars did shine,
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He was cloath'd in a bright grass green,
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His cheeks was of a crimson red,
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For such a Man was seldome seen.
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Unto the people then he spoke,
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Mark well these words wich I shall say,
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For no Coroner you shall send,
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I'me judge and Jury here this day.
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Bring hither the man that did the deed,
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And firmly hath deny'd the same,
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They brought him into the room with speed
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To answer this wicked deed with shame.
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Now come O wretched man quoth he,
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With shame before thy Neighbours all,
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Thy body thou haste brought to misery,
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Thy soul into a deeper thrall.
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Thy chiefest delight was drunkenness,
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And lew'd women O cursed sin,
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Blasphemous Oaths, and curses vile,
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A long time hast thou wallowed in.
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Thy Neighbours thou would'st set at strife
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And always griping on the poor.
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Besides thou hast murdered thy wife,
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A fearful death thou dy'st therefore.
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Fear nothing good people then he said,
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A sight presently will appear,
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Let all your trust be in the Lord,
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No harm shall be while I am here.
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Then in the Room the Devil appeard,
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Like a brave Gentleman did stand,
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Satan quoth he that was the Judge,
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Do no more then thou hast command.
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The Devil then he straight laid hold.
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On him that had murdered his wife;
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His Neck in sunder then he brake,
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And thus did end his wretched life.
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The Devil then he vanished,
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Quite from the people in the Hall,
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Which made the people much afraid,
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Yet no one had no hurt at all.
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Then straight a pleasant melody,
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Of musick straight was heard to sound,
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It ravish't the hearts of those stood by,
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So sweet the musick did abound.
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Now quoth this gallant man in green,
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With you I can no longer stay,
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My love I leave, my leave I take,
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The time is come I must away.
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Be sure to love each other well,
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Keep in your breast what I do say,
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It is the way to go to heaven.
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When you shall rise at Judgment day.
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The People to their homes did go,
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Which had this mighty wonder seen,
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And said it was an Angel sure.
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That thus was cloathed all in green.
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And thus the news from Westmoreland,
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I have related to you o're;
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I think it is as true a thing,
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As ever man did hear before.
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Here are the Names of some of the cheifest men that live in the Parish, Christopher Rawly
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Esq. James Fish, Gent. William Lisse, Gent. Simon Pierce, Ambrose White, Oliver Craft,
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Robert Board, Thomas Clifford, Yeomen; George Crawly, Peter Vaux, Phillip Cook; Fran-
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ces Martin, George Horton, Husbandmen.
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