Page:Wandering young gentlewoman, or, The cat-skins' garland (1).pdf/2



Fathers and Mothers and Children also,

Come draw near unto me and soon you shall know

The sense of my ditty for I dare so say,

The like han’t been printed many a day.

The subject which to you I am to relate,

It is of a ’Squire’s son of a vast estate,

And the first dear infant his wife to him bare,

It was a young daughter of beauty most rare.

He said to his wife, had this child been a boy

’Twould have pleased me better, & increas’d my joy

If the next be of the same sort I declare.

Of what I’m possess’d, she shall have no share.

In twelve months thereafter this woman we hear

Had another Daughter of beauty most clear:

And when that her husband knew ’twas a female,

Into a strong bitter passion he fell.

Saying, since this is of the same sort as the first

In my, habitation she shall not be nurst,

Pray let it be sent into the country:

For where I am, truly, this child shall not be.

With tears his dear wife, to him thus did say,

Husband, be content, I’ll send her away,

Then onto the coutry with speed did it send :

For to be brought up with one who was a friend.

Although that her father hated her so,

She good education on her did bestow;

And with a golden locket and robes of the best

This slighted young damsel was commonly drest.

And when into stature this damsel was grown

And found by her Father she had no love shewn

She cry’d before I lie under his frown,

I’m fully resolv’d to range the world round.