Page:Rosanna (1).pdf/6

6 The faithless wretch began to think

How noble were her parents dear.

He said, I sure will punished be,

Soon as the story they shall hear.

So then the devil he did begin

To enter in his wretched mind,

Her precious life he then must have,

An opportunity thus he did find.

He many times had watch'd her out

Into the pleasant valley, where

One day he privately did go,

When he knew the lady was not there.

And privately he dug a grave,

Underneath an oaken tree;

Then in the branches he did hide,

For to act this piece of cruelty.

Poor harmless soul, she nothing knew,

As usual she went there alone,

And on a bank of violets she

In mournful silence sat her down.

Of his unkindness did complain,

At length she did the grave espy,

She rose indeed to view the same,

Little thinking he was so nigh.

You gentle gods so kind, said she,

Did you this grave for me prepare:

He then descended from the tree,

Saying, strumpet, thy death is near.