When all these words were ended,
Then came the man of death,
Who kindled soon a fire,
Which stopt this virgin's breath,
To Christ her only Saviour,
She did her soul commend, Farewell, quoth she, good people, And thus she made an end.
HEARD you not lately of a man,
That went besides his wits,
And naked through the street he ran,
Wrapt in his frantic fits?
My honest neighbours, it is I,
Hark, how the people flout me,
See where the mad man comes! they cry, With all the boys about me.
Into a pond stark-naked I ran
And cast away my cloaths, Sir,
Without the help of any man
Made shift to get away, Sir,
How I got out I have forgot,
I do not well remember,
Or whether it was cold or hot,
In June or in December.
Tom Bedlam's but a sage to me,
I speak in sober sadness,
For more strange visions do I see
Than he in all his madness
When first to me this chance befel,
About the market walkt I, With capon's feathers in my cap, And to myself thus talkt I :
Did you not see my love of late,
Like Titan in her glory?
Did you not know she was my mate,
And I must write her story,
With pen of gold on silver leaf,
I will so much befriend her,
For why I am of that belief,
None can so well commend her.
Saw you not angels in her eyes,
Whilst that she was a speaking?
Smelt you not smells like Paradise
Between two rubies breaking?
Is not her hair more pure than gold,
Or finest spider's spinning?
Methinks in her I do behold
My joys and woes beginning.
Is not a dimple in her cheek,
Each eye a star that's starting?
Are not all graces install'd in her,
Each step all joys imparting?
Methinks I see her in a cloud,
With graces round about her;
To them I call and cry aloud
I cannot live without her.
Then raging towards the sky I rove,
Thinking to catch her hand,
O then to Jove I call and cry
To let her by me stand,
I look behind, and there I see
My shadow me beguile,
I wish she were as near to me,
Which makes my worship smile.
There is no creature can compare
With my beloved Nancy :
Thus I build castles in the air,
This is the fruit of fancy;
My thoughts mount high above the sky,
Of none I stand in awe,
Although my body here doth lie
Upon a pad of straw.
I was as good a harmless youth
Before base Cupid taught me,
Or his own mother, with her charms
Into this case had brought me :
Stript and whipt now must I be,
In Bedlam bound in chains;
Good people, now you all may see,
What love hath for his pains.
When I was young as others are,
With gallants did I flourish,
O then I was the properest lad
That was in all the parish,
The bracelet that I us'd to wear,
About my arms so tender,
Are turned into iron plates
About my body slender.
My silken suits do now decay,
My cups of gold are vanished,
And all my friends do wear away,
As I from them were banished,
My silver cups are turn'd to earth,
I'm jeered by every clown;
I was a better man by birth,
Till fortune cast me down.
I'm out of frame, and temper too,
Though I'm somewhat chearful,
O this can love and fancy do,
If that you be not careful:
O set a watch before your eyes,
Least they betray your heart,
And make you slaves to vanities,
To act a mad man's part.
Declare this to each mother's son,
Unto each honest lad;
Let them not do as I have done,
Lest they like me grow mad :
If Cupid strike, be sure of this,
Let reason rule affection,
So shalt thou never do amiss
By reason's good direction.
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