Page:Wandering shepherdess, or, The betrayed damsel (4).pdf/3

 First ask my father’s consent, she did say,

For I must ever his pleasure obey:

My honoured parents I mean to please,

For fear the heavens be with us displeas'd.

Then straight to her father the 'squire did go.

And the whole matter he gave him to know,

Her father was pleased he should be his son,

And said, if she loves him it soon shall be done.

All things were agreed on, the time was set,

And now as soon as the couple were met,

This perjured villain, the innocent fair,

He with false delusions began to ensnare.

With modesty she unto him did say,

Sir, do not my honour thus strive to betray,

This is not true love, but lust you do mean,

Better it had been if I ne’er had you seen.

It will not be long e’er I shall be your bride;

Then seek not my ruin, she to him reply'd:

O talk not of ruin thou pride of my life,

May heaven forsake me if thou’rt not my wife.

With many persuasions his will he obtain'd,

And then her bright person, he soon disdained:

For straight up to London this villain did come,

Leaving his jewel in sorrow to mourn.

Her parents wonder’d the ’squire never came.

Asking their daughter the cause of the same;