Part I
Showing Cupid’s Conquest Over a Coy Lady of Five Thousand a Year
BACHELORS of every station,Mark this strange and true relation,Which in brief to you I bring,—Never was a stranger thing!
You shall find it worth the hearing;Loyal love is most endearing,When it takes the deepest root,Yielding charms and gold to boot.
Some will wed for love of treasure;But the sweetest joy and pleasureIs in faithful love, you’ll find,Gracèd with a noble mind.
Such a noble dispositionHad this lady, with submission,Of whom I this sonnet write,Store of wealth, and beauty bright.
She had left, by a good grannum,Full five thousand pounds per annum,Which she held without control;Thus she did in riches roll.
Though she had vast store of riches,Which some persons much bewitches,Yet she bore a virtuous mind,Not the least to pride inclined.
Many noble persons courtedThis young lady, ’tis reported;But their labour proved in vain,They could not her favour gain.
Though she made a strong resistance,Yet by Cupid’s true assistance,She was conquered after all;How it was declare I shall.
Being at a noble wedding,Near the famous town of Redding, 92A young gentleman she saw,Who belongèd to the law.
As she viewed his sweet behaviour,Every courteous carriage gave herNew addition to her grief;Forced she was to seek relief.
Privately she then enquiredAbout him, so much admired;Both his name, and where he dwelt,—Such was the hot flame she felt.
Then, at night, this youthful ladyCalled her coach, which being ready,Homewards straight she did return;But her heart with flames did burn.