Ancient Poems [32]
an only daughter. It was this rich heiress, who possessed 'store of wealth and beauty bright,' that is the heroine of the ballad. She married Benjamin Child, Esq., a young and handsome, but very poor attorney of Reading, and the marriage is traditionally reported to have been brought about exactly as related in the ballad. We have not been able to ascertain the exact date of the marriage, which was celebrated in St. Mary's Church, Reading, the bride wearing a thick veil; but the ceremony must have taken place some time about 1705. In 1714, Mr. Child was high sheriff of Berkshire. As he was an humble and obscure personage previously to his espousing the heiress of Whitley, and, in fact, owed all his wealth and influence to his marriage, it cannot be supposed that IMMEDIATELY after his union he would be elevated to so important and dignified a post as the high-shrievalty of the very aristocratical county of Berks. We may, therefore, consider nine or ten years to have elapsed betwixt his marriage and his holding the office of high sheriff, which he filled when he was about thirty-two years of age. The author of the ballad is unknown: supposing him to have composed it shortly after the events which he records, we cannot be far wrong in fixing its date about 1706. The earliest broadside we have seen contains a rudely executed, but by no means bad likeness of Queen Anne, the reigning monarch at that period.]
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 pleasure Is in faithful love, you'll find, Graced with a noble mind.
Such a noble disposition Had 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 courted This 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, (7) A young gentleman she saw, Who belonged to the law.
As she viewed his sweet behaviour, Every courteous carriage gave her New addition to her grief; Forced she was to seek relief.
Privately she then enquired About him, so much admired; Both his name, and where he dwelt, - Such was the hot flame she felt.
Then, at night, this youthful lady Called her coach, which being ready, Homewards straight she did return; But her heart with flames did burn.
PART II.
SHOWING THE LADY'S LETTER OF A CHALLENGE TO FIGHT HIM UPON HIS REFUSING TO WED HER IN A MASK, WITHOUT KNOWING WHO SHE WAS.
Night and morning, for a season, In her closet would she reason With herself, and often said, 'Why has love my heart betrayed?
'I, that have so many slighted, Am at length so well requited; For my griefs are not a few! Now I find what love can do.
'He that has my heart in keeping, Though I for his sake be weeping, Little knows what grief I feel; But I'll try it out with steel.
'For I will a challenge send him, And appoint where I'll attend him, In a grove, without delay, By the dawning of the day.
'He shall not the least discover That I am a virgin lover, By the challenge which I send; But for justice I contend.
'He has caused sad distraction, And I come for satisfaction, Which if he denies to give, One of us shall cease to live.'
Having thus her mind revealed, She her letter closed and sealed; Which, when it came
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 pleasure Is in faithful love, you'll find, Graced with a noble mind.
Such a noble disposition Had 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 courted This 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, (7) A young gentleman she saw, Who belonged to the law.
As she viewed his sweet behaviour, Every courteous carriage gave her New addition to her grief; Forced she was to seek relief.
Privately she then enquired About him, so much admired; Both his name, and where he dwelt, - Such was the hot flame she felt.
Then, at night, this youthful lady Called her coach, which being ready, Homewards straight she did return; But her heart with flames did burn.
PART II.
SHOWING THE LADY'S LETTER OF A CHALLENGE TO FIGHT HIM UPON HIS REFUSING TO WED HER IN A MASK, WITHOUT KNOWING WHO SHE WAS.
Night and morning, for a season, In her closet would she reason With herself, and often said, 'Why has love my heart betrayed?
'I, that have so many slighted, Am at length so well requited; For my griefs are not a few! Now I find what love can do.
'He that has my heart in keeping, Though I for his sake be weeping, Little knows what grief I feel; But I'll try it out with steel.
'For I will a challenge send him, And appoint where I'll attend him, In a grove, without delay, By the dawning of the day.
'He shall not the least discover That I am a virgin lover, By the challenge which I send; But for justice I contend.
'He has caused sad distraction, And I come for satisfaction, Which if he denies to give, One of us shall cease to live.'
Having thus her mind revealed, She her letter closed and sealed; Which, when it came