Tragical end of William and Margaret/William and Margaret
William and Margaret.
WHEN all was wrapt in dark midnight,
and all was faſt aſleep;
In glided Marg'ret a griſly Ghoſt,
and ſtood at Wiliam's feet
Her face was like the April morn,
clad in a wintry cloud;
And clay cold was her lilly hand,
that held the fable ſhroud.
Se fall the faireſt face appear,
when youth and years are flown;
Such is the robe that Kings muſt wear,
when death has reſt the crown.
Her blood is like the ſpringing flow'r,
that ſips the ſilver dew;
She rode was backed in her cheek;
and op'ning to the view.
But love had like the canker worm,
conſum'd her early prime:
The roſe grew pale and left her check,
ſhe died before her prime:
Awake, ſhe ery'd, thy true love calls
come from her midnight grave;
Now let thy pity hear the maid,
thy love refu'd to ſave.
This is the dark and f a ful hour,
wheu injur'd ghoſts complain,
Now dreary graves give up their dead,
to heat the faith'eſs swain.
Bethink slice Wiliam, of thy fault,
thy pledge and brakes sath,
And give me back her maiden vow,
and give us back my troth.
How could you ſay my face was fair,
and yet that ſrce forthske?
How could yap win my virgin heart,
yet leave that heart to break,
How could you promiſe love to me,
and eat that promiſe keep?
Why did you ſwear my eyes were bright,
yet leave the eyes to weep?
How cou'd you ſay my lps were red;
and made the ſcarlet pale?
And why did I young witleſs maid,
believe your flattering tale?
That face, a'as,! no more is fair;
those lips no longer red,
Dark are mine eyes, now clos'd in death,
and every charm is fled,
The hungry words my ſiſter is,
this winding ſheet I wear
And cold and wears laſte that night:
till that laſt morn appear.
But hark! the cock has warn'd me hence,
a laſt and long adieu;
Come ſee falſe man, how low ſhe lies,
that died for love of you
New bids did ſing, and morning fail'd,
and ſhaw'd her gliſt'ning head;
Pale William ſhook in er'ry limb,
then raving left his bed.
He hy'd him to the fatal place,
where Marg'ret's body lay,
And stretch'd him en the green graſs turf,
that wrapt ber breathleſs e'ay,
And thrice he call'd on Marg'ret's name,
and thrice he wept full frae
Then laid his cheek to the cold earth,
and words ſpoke never more