A Conscionable Couple:
Or, The valiant Resolution of a Young-man and a Maid,
That have left all their Kindred, as true folks have said:
Twas for their Religion and a good Conscience sake,
That they forsook England, a Voyage to take.
These two loving Protestants kindly together,
Are gone to seek Fortunes, there’s no man knows whither.
This doth make the world to wonder,
That thou and I must part asunder,
Parting from thee sure doth greive me,
O so loath I am to leave thee:
Leave thee, leave thee, I’ll not leave thee,
O so loath I am to leave thee.
I love thee dear, yet dare not show it,
Let not thy friends nor father know it,
The joyes and comforts late abounded;
Now is my heart with sorrows wounded.
Parting from thee sore doth greive me,
O how loath I am to leave thee.
Thy amorous looks make me admire,
And set my senses all on fire:
I would forego all earthly treasure,
To spend my time with thee in pleasure:
But we must part, which sore doth greive me,
O how loath am I to leave thee.
Thou in mine eye aret such a creature,
The like was never fram’d by Nature:
Thy sweet behaviour and thy carriage,
Loves Queen by no means can disparage,
But we must part, which sore doth greive me
O how loath am I to leave thee!
Cruel Fortune, I must curse thee,
‘Cause they false designs doth force me;
Thus to go and leave my True-love,
Farewel, ten thousands times adieu Love
We needs must part, that sore doth greive me,
O how loath I am to leave thee!
Mark these words which here are spoken,
This gold ring keep for a token;
And when I am furthest from thee,
Prethee sweet-heart think upon me,
Part we must, which sore doth greive me,
O how loath I am to leave thee!
‘Tis long of England’s strange Division
And the altering of Religion:
That I am expos’d to danger,
And to travel like a stranger;
This of all the rest doth grieve me,
That I am inforc’d to leave thee.
My dear Love, when we are parted
I shall be so heavy-hearted,
That no joyes I shall discover,
Therefore as thou art my Lover,
Prethee sweet-heart take me to thee,
Say but the word, and I’ll go with thee.
Let Father frown, and Mother chide me,
I’le go with thee what-ever betide me;
If it were through fire and water,
Lead the way Ile follow after.
I prethee Sweet-heart take me to thee,
Say but the word, and I’ll go with thee.
If to the seas thou make they venter
I in the ship will also enter
Or if thou on the shore wilt tarry,
I the self-same mind do carry,
So thou vouchsafe to take me to thee,
Speak but the word and I’ll go with thee.
Or if thou wilt be a Souldier,
Place a Musket on my Shoulder:
Put me on some mans apparel,
I will stately fight thy quarrel;
I fear not what man can do to me,
Speak but the word and I’ll go with thee.
Neither Sword nor Persecution
Shall break off my Resolution:
Though all the world forsake thee
For my Comrade I will take thee;
If thou wilt but take me to thee,
Speak the word, and I’ll go with thee.
Farewel Father, farewel Mother,
Farewel Sister, Farewel Brother,
Farewel Friends, and farewel kindred,
I from my Love will not be hindred;
Now prethee Sweet-hear take me to thee
Hap well or woe, I’ll now go with thee.
Since thou stand’st firm to th’ old religion
My self am of the same condition;
England wee’l leave and march together,
No earthly creature shall know whither;
Conscience moves me to come to thee,
Thou hast spoke Love, I’ll go with thee.
Finis.
BBO Roud Number: BOD1806
EBBA ID Number: 30577
EBBA ID Number: 34002
EBBA ID Number: 35266
ECCO Gale Document Number: BL3025069080
ECCO Gale Document Number: BL3025000363
EEBO Proquest ID Number: 2240856682
EEBO Proquest ID Number: 2240880381
ESTC Citation Number: R18959