Bonny bell (1)/Bonny Betsy Taylor

BONNY BETSY TAYLOR.

In Hygate, as I now do tell.
One Betsy Taylor there did dwell,
Who was a beauty of renown.
But nowiher roses are pull'd down.

With Mr. Hooker she did reside,
A young man wish'd her for his bride:
They fix'd upon the wedding day
But all their joys are fled away.

Her brother was a wicked blade,
This poor young girl her did persuade
To rob her Master—wick'd deed!
Which made her tender heart to bleed.

Two hundred pounds in goods they stole<
O now have mercy on their soul!
For they were taken and ⟨cast⟩ to die
. And in the dreadful cells they lie!

When at the bar this maid stood
The tears ran down just like a flood
The roses from her cheeks were fled.
She droop'd with heart as cold as lead

When to the bar, poor soul, was brought.
For mercy on her knees she fought!
The Judge unto her then did cry,
There is no help, for you must die.

When from the bar they did her take.
With grief her heart was like to break;
Her sweetheart he was in the Court,
His dearest girl for to support.

When, back to prison they did go,
And they, must part—O fatal woe!
The scene of grief no tongue can tell,
When she was led into the cell.

With aching heart, she now does lie,
Until the day that she sust die;
When drest in white from top to toe;.
To meet her fate this maid will go.

So maidens now take warning all,
Reflect upon her wretched fall,
And when you hear the dead bell toll,
Fall on your knees, pray for her soul.

O! by her death ⟨a⟩ warning take;
Before with you it be too late;
May she get it strength to meet the blow,
When she sinks to the shades below.