The godly end, and woeful lamentation of one john Stevens, a youth, that was hanged, drawn, and quartered for High-Treason, at Salisbury in Wiltshire, upon Thursday being the seventh day of March last 1632. with the setting up of his quarters on the City gates.  
To the tune of Fortune my foe, etc.  

 depiction of city gates of Salisbury  

NOw like the Swan before my death I sing,  
And like the Raven heany news I bring,  
Oh dismal rate, and cruel destiny,  
Which brought me here in this same sort to die.   

Did ever any hair of one so young,  
That was so bad and had so vile a tongue:  
Which was the cause that brought me to that fail,  
For which to God I now for mercy call.   

In famous Wiltshire was I borne and bred,  
And by my careful Parents nourished,  
Ah woe is me, john Stevens is my name,  
That to my friend and kindred am a shame.   

Oh let me be example unto all,  
That they may never in such mischief fall,  
Children and Prentices, eld and young  
Serve God in heart, and govern well your tongue.   

It was the D●uill that wrought my overthrow,  
It was the Devil that brought me to this woe,  
And 〈…〉 e I di● not ●e●es my God aright,  
Satan with shame doth thus my deeds requite.   

In femous Salisbury, that City fair,  
My Parents bound me Prenti●● with great care,  
But careless I, my life did lieu 〈…〉 spend,  
Which brings me to a shamesull 〈…〉 eyes end.   

To God above I do for mercy cry,  
'tis for High-treason, that I here must die,  
Drawn, hanged. & quartered this is now my doom  
My body must have neither grave nor tomb.   

And for my fact that was so visd and base,  
I apprehended was in that same place,  
And straight to London than I up was brought  
Is be examined, where I soon was caught.   

To the King-bench than was I straight way led,  
Where I a year almost contained,  
And then from thence I was again sent down,  
To be art aigned next Assizes at cur Town.   

There by just justice I my Trial had,  
Which soon condemned me for my fact so had;  
My judgement was I should from thence besent  
To Prison back, a while for to repeut.    

The second part,  
To the same tune.  
 

ANd then I should be on a Hurdle laid  
And to my Execution place conveyed,  
Where in a Rope I there should strangled be,  
In shameful manner for each one to see.   

My Members, and my Bowels forth be cut,  
And in a flaming fire they should be put,  
There to consume and unto ashes turn,  
As wicked members there they then must burn.   

My Body must in quarters eke be cut,  
And on the City gates they should be put,  
To be a sight for others to take heed,  
Where ravenous Fowls upon my flesh will feed.   

And now I do beseech you Parents all,  
That here are come to see my timeless fall,  
In virtue's paths do you your children train,  
That they may heaven and heavenly thoughts retain,   

Oh do not suffer them to curse and sweat,  
But train them up the God of heaven to feat,  
Teach them obedience to their Sovereign King,  
And their Superiors, whence doth virtue spring.   

And Children all do you example take,  
Oh let me be a warning for your sake,  
Spend not your lives so vaineas I have done,  
Whose glass is broke before my sand is run.   

Unto your Parents reverend honour give,  
The Lord commands it, than you long shall line,  
Your days he says shall be long in the land,  
This is your duty, as he doth command.   

Honour the King, for so the Lord doth say,  
And see the Magistrate you do obey,  
Unto your Equals loving be and king,  
To your inferiors bear an humble mind.   

But now, O Lord, for mercy I entreat,  
Thou canst forgive although my sins are great,  
Lord make me clean, & make me clear as glass,  
And then the Snow I shall in whiteness pass.   

Great God upon me pour the Spirit of grace,  
And then in Heaven I hope I shall find place,  
Christ my Redeemer, he hath ●●●e for me,  
My soul I hope with him in heaven shall be.   

Lord bless the King, and send him long to reign,  
Preserve the Queen, their Issue, & their Train.  
And God forgive me, and my Prince I pray,  
Whose Laws and Statutes I did disobey.   

Lord let thy Gospel's flourish in this Land,  
Grant that the truth may flourish still and stand,  
Preserve the Clergy, Nobles, and the State,  
And keep the Commons from all strife and hate.   

Vain world fatewell, I am prepared to die,  
My Soul I hope, shall strait ascend sheskie▪  
I come, Lord jesus, now I come to thee,  
To thee one God, yet holy Trinity.    
FINIS.   

Printed at London for H. Gosson.