EBBA 37513
British Library - Bagford
Ballad XSLT Template
THE REDEEMED CAPTIVE
The Free Unchain'd Lover boasts
That he is now at Large.
Tha[t oth]er men should keep so too
He [give]s this friendly charge.
Tune, When Aurelia first was
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SUrely now I'm out of danger
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I'l defie blind Cupids Dart
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Love to me is grown a stranger
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Therefore ile not break my heart.
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For all the graces of their faces
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They may keep, since I am free
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Some are witty, some are pretty
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Yet I'l keep my Liberty.
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Once I lov'd my Mistriss dearly
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Counting her my chiefest friend
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Then I waited late and early
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My true Love to recommend.
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I quencht the fire of desire
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That did burn so cruelly
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Then farwel Beauty, 'tis my duty
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For to prize my Liberty.
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Once to me she was so cruel
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She laught to see me swim in blood
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And when I burn'd I burn'd like fuel
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Grief came on me like a flood,
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Sighs & groanings, sobs & mournings
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Were my chief companions still
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When I lay panting, for love wanting
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Then she had me at her will
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The grief and sorrow I went thorow
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Made my life a burthen seem
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I thought twas time, while in my prime
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My Liberty for to redeem.
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I'm now compliance, with defiance
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And scorn a captive still to be
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No charming eyes shall me surprize
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Since I have gaind my Liberty.
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I pitty Lovers who discovers
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To their Idols all their pain
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Who soon can cure, what they endure
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And yet they stubborn will remain.
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Count it not duty, when a beauty
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You do see, it to adore
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If once they find it, do but mind it
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You'r enslav'd forever more.
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Do but mind me, & you'l find me
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For to be your chiefest friend
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When yo'r taken, and forsaken
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Griefs and sorrows will attend.
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Oft their smilings prove beguilings
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And poor men are strangely caught
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They prove like Treason to your reason
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And lay Embargoes on each thought.
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Never heed e'm, for your freedome
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Is of greater value, then
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Why should women, captive free men
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Or make slaves of loving men.
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Dote no more then, nor adore them
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Whose great beauti's make them proud
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Do but fly them, or defie them
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Favours on you they will croud.
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Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. Wright, J. Clark W. Thackery, and T, Passenger.
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