Page:Wanton Tom, or, The merry tricks of Tom Stitch the tailor.pdf/24



24                     was not him, none broke silence, for fear of betraying themselves. The man speak- ing to them, said, I have a message to                     deliver to you, but was charged not to de- clare it, till I approach the stile. And as soon as he was come thither, they being gathered round about him, he pulled these following lines out of his pocket, they be- ing sent by Wanton Tom to read to then,

To you poor lasses, 1 these lines do send, Confessing each of you have been my friend; Some brought me work, some dainties for to eat, Not thinking ever I should prove a cheat. 'Tis true your hearts and minds they now are pierc'd,                        But who will laugh, you're all alike distress'd,                         Nay, my old hostess thought this day to marry, Yet, she like you, for me must longer tarry; And I your money will as freely spend, As ye your maidenheads to me did lend, Now for your maidenheads you may complain, Your hearts and money to return again, Sigh and lament, but 'twill be all in vain. Then farewell you, from Leeds I now am gone, And not contracted unto any one, When I again do hear where he doth dwell, A second part of his mad pranks I'll tell.

FINIS.