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THE WANDERING SHEPHERDESS.
YOU that do know what to true love belong,
I’ll tell you a ſtory that lately was done:
At Oxford a merchant’s fair daughter did dwell,
Who for wit and beauty did others excel.
A noble young ſquire that lived hard by,
Upon this young lady did ſoon caſt an eye;
And for to court her he did ⟨thus⟩ begin:
Thou faireſt of creatures that ever was ſeen,
⟨Do⟩ not be ſo cruel but yield unto me,
For without your love there’s no comfort for me,
And now give conſent for to be my bride,
Or elſe I am ruin’d for ever, he cry’d.
The lady with innocent ſmiles did reply,
’Tis pity so good ⟨like⟩ a creature ſhould die,
When ’tis in my power your life to ſave,
So now I grant thee this that you do crave.
With eager embraces he flew to her arms,
And ſaid, Thou haſt ten thouſand charms,
Which invite great ⟨monarchs⟩ to fall at your feet;
But I’ve got the prize, and my joys are complete
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.
