A royal arbor (1663) :: :: University of Virginia Library

I have a story which doth plainly tell,
That Lovers hearts are tost 'twixt heaven and hell:
Therefore let him or her this place forbear,
That cannot vent a sigh, or shed a tear.

2

A vertuous Lady, innocent and fair,
Who to a noble Knight was onely Heir,
Was to a Gentleman with quick dispatch
Contracted, but his brother scorn'd the match,
And therefore privately did plot to be
An enemy unto their amity.

3

The costly garments, and the wedding chear
Provided is, for now the day draws near;
The Bride-men and the Bride-maids are made fit
To wait upon their vertue and their wit:
And till the day, long lookt for, doth appear,
Each hour's a day, and every day a year.

4

The brother that was hatefully inclin'd,
Did yet appear to bear a better minde,
And seem'd as much to like the Match as they
That every hour did wish the wedding day;
But mark what follows, and you'l quickly be
Assur'd 'twas nothing but hypocrisie.

5

He hires a knave, whose love was closely ty'd
Unto the Chambermaid that serv'd the Bride,
And bids him in the evening go unto her,
And in her Mistress chamber seem to wooe her;

Desire her for your humour to put on
One of her Mistress Gowns that well was known.

6

The fellow goes to her whom he did know
Could not to any thing he crav'd cry no,
The Brother to the Bridegroom quickly hies,
To fill his brothers soul with jealousies;
Quoth he, if you this strumpet Lady marry,
You and our Family will all miscarry.

7

If you with two or three with me will go,
At night I'le shew you what you ne're did know;
That Lady which hath lockt your love in charms,
I'le shew you tumbling in anothers arms:
For though till now I ne're did tell you on them,
These three nights I have cast my eyes upon them.

8

The Bridegroom though he lov'd her well before,
Hating to be the Husband of a Whore,
Doth with his brother go, (who was his guide)
To see (as he suppos'd) his wanton bride;
Where in her Mistress night-gown she was toying,
And with her plotting Sweet-heart closely playing.

9

The marriage day is come, and now they go,
As some surmise, to make but one of two;
But when the Bridegroom took her by the hand,
He gave the people all to understand,
That she was known a most notorious whore,
And vow'd from that time ne're to see her more.

10

The Bride fell in a swound, the father cry'd,
Alack for me! I would my childe had dy'd
Before this time had come, for much I fear
My sorrow will become my murtherer;
He caus'd her in this fit to be convey'd
Home to his house, and in her chamber laid.

11

The Chamberr-maid much fearing some mistake,
Desir'd her Sweet-heart that for her dear sake
He would disclose, or him she'd never own,
Why he would have her wear her Mistress Gown?
And after many subtle tricks of youth,
He did confess, and tell the naked truth.

12

She tells her master how they had been us'd,
And by the Bridegrooms Brother thus abus'd;
Which when the Bride & Bridegroom knew, they then
With joynt consent go to the Church agen:
Where they did knit a knot until they dye,
Which Men and Angels never shall untye.