Page:Jemmy and Nancy of Yarmouth, or The constant lovers.pdf/2



Lovers, I pray, lend an ear to my story,

Take an example by this constant pair;

How love a young woman did blast in her glory—

Beautiful Nancy of Yarmouth, we hear.

She was a merchant s only daughter,

Heir unto fifteen hundred a year;

A young man who courted her call’d her his jewel,

The son of a gentleman who lived near.

Many long years the fair maid he admir’d,

When they were infants in love they agreed:

And when at age this young couple arriv’d,

Cupid an arrow between them display’d.

Their tender hearts were linked together—

But when her parents the same they did hear,

They to their charming young beautiful daughter

Acted a part that was hard and severe.

Daughter they said give o’er your proceeding;

If that against our consent you do wed,

For evermore we resolve to disown you,

If you wed with one that is so mean bred.

Her mother said, You have a great fortune,

Besides you are beautiful, charming, and young,

You are a match, dear child, that is fitting

For any lord that is in Christendom.

Then did reply the young beautiful virgin,

Riches and honour I both do defy,

If that I am denied of my dearest lover,

Then farewell world! which is all vanity.