Page:Old man outwitted, or, The fortunate lovers (2).pdf/2



L all lovers that around me doth ſtand

Be pleas’d to give ear to theſe lines I have penn’d,

And when you have heard them I'm ſure you will ſay,

It's a medicine to drive melancholy away.

It’s of an ancient farmer near Cambridge did dwell,

Whoſe name at the preſent I mean not to tell;

He had one only daughter both charming and fair,

She quickly was drawn into Cupid's ſnare.

Her father indeed it ſeems kept a ſervant-man,

For to do his buſineſs, his name it was John,

The maid was ſmitten with each glance of his eye,

That ſhe was never eafy out of his company.

They often together in private would walk,

Alone in the garden and pleaſantly talk;

But pray give atention and ſoon you ſhall hear,

How this paſſion ſoon brought them into a ſnare.

Her father one night to the window had got,

Just over the place where theſe two lovers ſat,

And heard every word that between them was ſaid,

By which the unfortunate youth was betray’d.

My dear, ſaid the young man, my love it is true

And as I have ſet my affectionſ on you,

I hope you'll remember the vows that are paſt,

A curſe light on them who our comforts doth blaſt.

The maiden immediately fell on her knee,

And ſaid, If e'er I prove the ruin of thee,

May all that I act in the world never thrive,

Nor I ever proſper while I am alive.

The old man retired then with a frown,

With a heart fully inflam’d he ſat himſelf down,

Contriving ſome way for to part the young pair,

And how it was acted you quickly ſhall hear.