'n Risborow, 20 yeeres,

d of all that d there robbing ew her, and standshe spat three drops ould be washt out, by ecuted for the aforesaid Brickhill."

Worthy London Prentice.

offences,

passed sins,

doleful story,

vy heart begins:

ickedly I spent my time,
evoid of godly grace,
lewder woman never liv'd,
I think in any place..

Near Buckingham I dwelled,

And Susan Higges by name,
Well thought of by good gentlemen,
And farmers of good fame;

He having wit at will,

Unto them both did say :

I will not heare them speak one word,
Watch-men with them away;

And cause they lov'd so well,
"Tis pitty they should part:
Away with them to new bride-well,
There busse your owne sweet heart.

His will it was fulfil'd,

And there they had the law:

And whilst that they did nimbly spin,

The hempe he needs must taw:

He ground, he thump't, he grew

So cunning in his arte,

He learnt the trade of beating hempe, By bussing his sweet heart.

he still would say,

If I could get release,

To see strange fashions I'le give o're,

And henceforth live in

peace,

The towne where I was bred,

And thinke by my desert

To come no more into this place,

For bussing my sweet heart.

XLV.

"True Relation of one Susan Higges, dwelling in Risborow, a towne in Buckinghamshire, and how she lived 20 yeeres, by robbing on the high wayes, yet unsuspected of all that knew her; till at last coming to Messeldon, and there robbing and murdering a woman; which woman knew her, and standing by her while she gave three groanes, she spat three drops of blood in her face, which never could be washt out, by which shee was knowne, and executed for the aforesaid murder, at the assises in Lent at Brickhill."

To the tune of The Worthy London Prentice.

To mourn for my offences,

And former passed sins,
This sad and doleful story,

My heavy heart begins :
Most wickedly I spent my time,
Devoid of godly grace,
A lewder woman never liv'd,
I think in any place..

Near Buckingham I dwelled,

And Susan Higges by name,
Well thought of by good gentlemen,
And farmers of good fame;

Where thus for twenty years at least,

I liv'd in gallant sort:

Which made the country marvel much To hear of my report.

My state was not maintained,
(As you shall understand)
By good and honest dealings,
Nor labours of my hand,
But by deceit and cozening shifts
The end whereof we see,

Hath ever been repaid with shame,

And ever like to be.

My servants were young country girls,

Brought up unto my mind,

By nature fair and beautifull,

And of a gentle kind :

Who with their sweet enticing eyes

Did many youngsters move,
To come by night unto my house,

In hope of further love.

But still at their close meetings (As I the plot had laid)

I stept in still at unawares,

While they the wantons play'd,

And would in question bring their names,

Except they did agree,

To give me money for this wrong,

Done to my house and me.

This was but 'petty cozenage

To things that I have done,
My weapon by the highway side,
Hath me much money won:
In men's attire I oft have rode
Upon a gelding stout,

And done great robberies valiantly,
The countries round about.

I had my scarfes and vizors
My face for to disguise,
Sometimes a beard upon my chin,
To blind the people's eyes:
My Turkey blade and pistols good,
My courage to maintain,

Thus took I many a farmer's purse
Well cram'd with golden gain.

Great store of London merchants,
I boldly have bid stand,
And shewed myself most bravely,
A woman of my hand: