THE Unfortunate Couple; Or, The Unkind FATHER:  
Being a true Relation of a Squire's Son, who having Married his Father's Maid against his Consent, was reduced to such great Necessity, that his Young Wife Died for Grief, and his Father denying him relief, he fell into sad Dispair, and Shot himself Dead with a Pistol, in his Chamber in L -- d-g-te-street on Saturday last.  
Tune, of or give me if my looks I thought etc.  

YOU Cruel Parents, most severe  
now Listen to my story,  
And pity your own Children dear,  
if they for Love do Marry:  
For 'tis not saiding Earthly Dross,  
that will true joys procure,  
When Lovers find a fatal Cross,  
none can such pains endure.   

All Squire's Son, of Wealth and fame,  
in Love was much affected,  
With a most fair and brisk young Dame,  
who kindly him respected,  
But being but his Father's Maid,  
his Friends did all despise her,  
Quoth they, let us the Youth persuade,  
to leave her, and be wiser.   

But all their words did but increase:  
his true and real affection,  
He vowed that he would soon release,  
his Love from their subjection,  
And in the Dark and silent Night,  
he privately did Carry,  
His only Darling from their sight,  
and quickly her did Marry.   

No sooner did the Squire hear,  
what his Young Son had acted,  
But he with rage did rave and tore,  
as if he'd been Distracted,  
Quoth he, no Spawn of Beggar's Bats,  
shall e'er enjoy my Treasure,  
I'll never own him for my Son;  
so great is my displeasure.   

The Cruel Father, thus unkind,  
did make them both Distressed  
For no subsistence could they fi●d  
with wants they were oppressed.  
So that the poor unhappy Bride,  
with sorrow and vexation,  
Her heart it broke, and soon she Died,  
While he made Lamentation.   

Two pretty Babes she left behind,  
would move a Tark's compassion:  
But yet the Squire's cruel mind;  
retained his Indignation:  
For when his Son on bended Knee;  
implored some small assistance,  
(Quoth he) bring not her Bats to me:  
But pray keep at a distance.   

This answer filled his heart with grief;  
and brought despair upon him,  
Because he missed of all relief:  
and friends they did disown him,  
Disturbed mind and fearful Dreams:  
did Night and Day Molest him,  
Confused thoughts, and such extremes:  
as more, and more oppress't him.   

He set a Pistol to his Head,  
which cut Life's thread insunder:  
And in his Chamber fell down Dead  
which filled the Town with wonder:  
Let all take warning by his fall:  
despair it was his Ruin  
Take heed in time both great and small  
for fear 'tis your undoing.    

LONDON, Printed for P. Markham near Bridge-water-Square.