A warning for married Women.  
By the Example of Mrs. Jane Renalds, a West-Country Woman, born near unto Plymouth; who having plighted her troth to a Seaman, was afterwards Married to a Carpenter, and at last carried away by a Spirit: the manner how shall be presently recited.  
To a gallant West-country tune, called, The fair maid of Bristol; Or, Bateman, or, John True  
 

THere dwelled a fair Maid in the West,  
of worthy birth and Fame,  
Near unto Plymouth stately Town,  
Jane Renalds was her name.   

This Damsel dearly was beloved  
by many a proper Youth,  
And what of her is to be said,  
is known for very truth.   

Amongst the rest a seaman brave  
unto her a wooing came;  
A comely proper Youth was he,  
Jame Harris was his name.   

This Maid and Youngman were well agreed  
as time did them allow:  
And to each other secretly,  
they made a solemn vow.   

That they would ever faithful be,  
whilst Heaven afforded life:  
He was to be her Husband kind,  
and she his loving Wife.   

A day appointed was also,  
when they were to be married:  
But before these things were brought to pass  
matters were strangely carried.   

All you that fatal Lovers be,  
give ear and harken well;  
And what of them became at last,  
I will directly tell.   
 

The youngman he was pressed to Sea,  
and forced he was to go:  
His sweetheart she must stay behind,  
whether she would or no.   

And after she was from him gone,  
she three long years for him stayed,  
Expecting of his coming home again,  
and kept herself a Maid.   

At last came news that he was dead,  
within a Foreign Land,  
And how that he was buried,  
she well did understand.   

For whose sweet sake the Maiden she,  
lamented many a day,  
And never was she known at all  
the wanton for to play.   

A Carpenter that lived hard by,  
when he heard of the same,  
Like as the other had done before,  
to her a Wooing came.   

But when that he had gained her love,  
they married were with speed;  
And four years' space being man & wife  
they lovingly agreed.   

Three pretty Children in that time,  
this loving Couple had;  
Which made their Father heart rejoice  
and Mother wondrous glad.   
 

BUt as occasion served one time,  
the goodman took his way,  
Some three days' journey from his home  
intending for to stay.   

But whilst that he was gone away.  
a Spirit in the night,  
Came to the window of the house,  
and did her sorely fright.   

Which Spirit spoke like to a man,  
and unto her did say.  
My dear and only love (quoth he)  
prepare and come away.   

James Harris is my name (quoth he)  
whom thou didst love so dear,  
And I have traveled for thy sake,  
at least this long seven year.   

And now I am returned again,  
to take thee to my wife;  
And thou with me shall go to Sea,  
to end all further strife.   

O tempt me not sweet James (she said)  
with thee away to go;  
If I should leave my Children small  
alas what should they do?   

My Husband is a Carpenter,  
and a Carpenter of great fame,  
I would not for five hundred pounds,  
that he should know the same.   

I might have had a King's Daughter,  
and she would have married with me,  
But I forsook her golden crown,  
and all for love of thee.   

Therefore if thou wilt thy husband for sake,  
and thy children three also,  
I will forgive all that is past,  
if thou with me wilt go.   
 

If I forsake my Husband, and  
my little Children three,  
What means hast thou to bring me too,  
if I should go with thee.   

I have seven Ships upon the Sea,  
when they are come to Land,  
Both mariners and merchandise  
shall be at thy command.   

The Ship wherein my Love shall sail,  
so glorious to behold:  
The Sails shall be of finest Silk,  
and the Masts of shining Gold.   

When he had told her these fair tales,  
To love him she began:  
Because he was in human shape,  
she thought he had been a man.   

And so together away they went,  
from off the English shore,  
And since that time the woman kind,  
was never heard of more.   

But when her Husband he came home,  
and found his wife was gone,  
And left her sweet pretty Babes  
within the house alone.   

He beat his breast, he tore his hair,  
the tears fell from his eyes,  
And in the open streets he run,  
with heavy doleful cries.   

And in this sad distracted case  
he hanged himself for woe,  
Upon a tree near to that place,  
the truth of all is so.   

The Children now are fatherless,  
and left without a guide;  
But yet no doubt but heavenly powers,  
will for them well provide.   
L. P.  
Finis.   

Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and W. Gilbertson.