He ſaid, Love, tomorrow I'll make you my bride.
Sir, for my oath's ſake I'll not have you, ſhe cryd
My honour is ſtrained, which b ngs me to ſhame.
No one but myſelf for-this I can blame.
He ſaid, Let us marry, to prevent all ſtrive,
Her anſwer was, No, I'll ne'er be your wife,
Tho' not join'd in marriage, this young 'ſquire he
Came three times a-week this lady to ſee.
And as her time drew nigh for to lie down,
He got her a lodging near to town :
When the time expired, fhe had a fon,
The 'ſquire was pleas'd it was over and done.
Before this lady began to ſit up,                           
He preſented the child with a golden cup,
On which was his name and coat of arms at large,
Of this cup he gave the boy's mother a charge.
Saying, See my infant don't thoſe it, I pray,
So then he embrac'd her, and ſo rode away.
Now pray mark, good people, and ſoon you ſhall hear
To this babe the mother ſhe proved ſevere.
She ſent the nurſe out, and then did provide
For to kill the child with a ſtab in the ſide.
And ſaid, With a ſtab I am ſure it muſt die.
Then ſtole the gold cup, and away did hie.
In a window's dreſs ſhe went to Liverpool,
And being well learned, ſhe ſet up a ſchool .
It happen'd the nurſe returned with ſpeed,
And found the babe living, whoſe ſide did bleed.
When the 'ſquire came there, and ſaw what was
He griev'd, but thro' mercy, preſerved bis ſon, [done,
Near the town of Liverpool the 'ſquire had a farm,
For to keep this darling free from all harm.
Unto this farmer's wife the babe he did place,
Where it was ſuckled, and grew up apace ;
When the child was able, to ſchool it did go
Unto his own mother, who did not him know.
But often ſhe kiſs'd him, and ſaid With a ſmile,
I know no reaſon for loving this child.
At eighteen years old he was very tall,
Of a ſweet complexion and comel withal.
Unto the farmer's daughter, who nurs'd him we find,
By his father's conſent he in wedlock was join'd.
Cries he, My ſchool miſtreſs in me took delight,
For which to my wedding I will her invite.
And being invited, as one innocent,
Unto his wedding his ſchool-miſtreſs went.
Next morning before the young couple were up,
His ſchool-miſtreſs came, with her golden cup,
And unto the bridegroom the cup did give,
And ſaid, Keep this as long as you live :
He ſaid, That I will, thank you for the ſame.
Juſt after the ſquire into the room came.
The ſchool-miſtreſs knew him, whoſe, heart did
Knowing herſelf guilty, her joints did ſhake. [ake,
At firſt ſight, the gold cup the 'ſquire he knew,
And ſaid to the bridegroom, who gave it to you ?
He ſaid Sir, that woman gave it to me ?
I think 'tis the fineſt that ever I ſee :

And the 'ſquire He ſaid, A rich cup, I declare,
Here's my name and coat of ar ns, I can ſwear.
The 'ſquire ſaid, Woman, tell me thy name,
And how you at firſt by this gold cup came.
Fox fear of his wrath ſhe ſwooned away,
When her ſenſes return'd, he to her did ſay,
Come tell me thy name, tell it with ſpeed,
I will draw my rapier, and kill you indeed.
Then ſhe told him her name, which being done;
Said he, If it be ſo, where is your ſon ?
Whom I gave this cup to ? She ſaid, He is dead
I ſtabb'd him, and for fear of hanging I fled.
He ſaid, Wicked woman, as I have thee found,
Your blood after this ſhall be ſpilt on the ground.
For ſtabbing my darling when paſſion was hot,
I'll cut thee as ſmall as herbs to the pot.
With trembing joints on her knees ſhe did ery,
For ſtabbing your inſant I deſerve to die.
He ſaid, Before I take thy lifetaway,
I will give you two hours in priva e to pray,
Then in a dark cloſet ſhe locked up were,
The ſorrowful lady for death did prepare.
Mean time to the bridegroom away he did go,
And gave him the truth of the matter to know,
He ſaid She's your mother, who thinks you are dead,
I'm one that won't hurt the hair of her head.
But unto the cloſet he goes ſuriouſly,
And ſaid, Wicked woman, prepare for to die.
To ſee him with glittering ſword in his hand.
With fighs and groans ſhe before him did ſtand.
And ſaid, Kill me the this firſt ſtroke be ſure,
That I may not be tormented long in my gore.
To hear theſe expreſſions a groan he did bring,
And no longer could bear love's piercing ſting.
He ſaid, Be not troubled, thou joy of my life,
The bridegroom's your ſon, you ſtabb'd with a knife,
That this mournful lady might be ſatisfy'd,
They ſhew'd her the place ſhe ſtabb'd in his ſide.
For joy to the bridegroom ſhe gave kiſſes ſtore,
And ſaid, Now I hope all my ſorrows are O'er.
The 'ſquire ſaid to her, Now ſince it is ſo,
That our ſon is alive, will you have me or no ?
To-morrow let's marry, to finiſh the ſtrife.
To this ſhe conſented; he made her his wife.
She ſaid to the ſquire, I'll tell thee, my dear,
My father's a knight of ten thoufand a-year.
And whether he's living I cannot well tell,
For to ride and ſee I hold it right well
To her father's houſe they both rid witn ſpeed:
When her parents ſaw her they both ſmil'd indeed,
With joy they embraced her,while tears ran down,
And gave her a portion of twelve thouſand pound.
This worthy 'ſquire, 'tis very well known.
Enjoys five hundred a-year of his own.
He gave his eſtate to his ſon, and behold,
Threeſcore and ten pieces of broad ſhining gold.
So now I will leave them in joy all to live,
Great comfort and joy in this world to receive.