Page:Mistaken lady's garland, or, The squire cheated.pdf/3

( 3 ) The 'Squire he thought that he cunning did play,

One day when the lady was out of the way,

He met Mrs. Betty alone in her room,

And once to salute her he thus did presume.

Fairest of creatures, be kind unto me,

A hundred bright guineas I’ll give unto thee,

Then let me enjoy you, without further strife,

By heaven, dear Betty, I’ll make thee my wife.

The money it tempted the girl to consent,

She pleased the ’squire, and gave him content,

He gave her a kiss then at parting we hear,

Saying, I will for ever prove true to my dear.

But soon he forgot all the vows that he made,

Says Betty, he thinks that my heart’s betray’d,

To trick the young ’squire I’ll find out a way,

So she once on a time to her lady did say.

Madam, a secret I have for to tell,

I hope at my hands you will not take it ill,

But first you shall promise me for to be true,

Then all the whole matter I’ll tell unto you.

To be true the young lady did solemnly swear,

Your father I heard to say, I declare,

That you should not wed with the gallant young squire

At this the young lady was like to expire.

The squire he came for to visit his dear,

And feeing her cheeks bedew’d with tears,

Alas! my dear jewel, what means this I pray?

With a million of sighs she to him did say.

My father he says that I shan’t be your bride,

Why then I am utterly ruin’d, he cry’d,

And Betty she thro’ the key-hole did peep,

And heard every word that the squire did speak.

Who told you the news, my jewel, he cry’d,

That question she answer’d must be deny’d,

Come let us contrive my father to cheat,

So there they embrac’d with kisses so sweet.