A good warning for all Maidens, By the Example of God's judgement showed upon one Jermans' wife of Clifton in the County of Nottingham, who lying in child bed was born away and never heard of after.  
The Tune is, The Lady's fall.  
 

YOu vaintie dames so finely framed  
of beauty's chiefest mould,  
And you that trip it up and down  
like Lambs in Cupid's fold.  
Here is a lesson to be learned,  
a lesson in my mind,  
For such as will prove false in love,  
and bear a faithless mind.   

Not far from Nottingham of late,  
in Clifton as I hear,  
There dwelled a fair and comely Dame  
of beauty without Péer.  
Her cheeks were like the crimson Rose,  
yet as you may perceive,  
The fairest face the falsest heart,  
and soon will deceive.   

This gallant Damsel was beloved  
of many in that place,  
And many sought in marriage bed,  
her body to embrace.  
At last a proper handsome youth,  
young Bateman called by name,  
In hope to make a married wife  
unto this Maiden came.   

Such love and liking soon he foun,  
that he from all the rest,  
Had stolen away this maiden's heart,  
and she did love him best.  
Then plighted promise secretly,  
did pass between them two,  
That nothing could but death itself  
these True lover's knot undo.   

He broke a piece of Gold in twain:  
one half to her he gave,  
The other as a pledge quoth he  
dear heart myself will have,  
If I do break my vow quoth she,  
while I remain alive,  
May never thing I take in hand  
be seen at all to thrive.   

This passed on for two months' space,  
and then thi● Maid began  
To settle lobe liking and too  
upn another man.  
One Jermans who a widower was,  
her husband needs must be,  
Because he was of greater wealth  
and better in degree.   

Her vows and Promise late she made  
to Bateman she denied,  
And in despite of him and his,  
she utter●ie defied.  
Well then quoth he if it be so  
that thou wilt me forsake,  
And like a false and forsworn wretch  
another husband take.   

Thou shall not live one quiet day,  
for surely I will have  
Thee either now alive or dead,  
when I am laid in grave.  
Thy faithless mind thou shalt repent,  
therefore be well assured,  
When for my sske thou hearest report,  
what torments I endured,   
 

But mark how Baeeman died for love,  
he finished up his life,  
The very day she married was,  
and made old Jermans' wife.  
For with a strangling cord God wots,  
great moan was made therefore,  
He hanged himself in desperate sort  
before the brides own door.   

Whereat such sorrow pierced her heart,  
and troubled sore her mind,  
That she could never after that  
one day of comfort find;  
For wheresoever she did go,  
her fancy did surmise,  
Young Bateman pale and ghastly ghost  
appeared before her eyes.   

When she in bed a nights did lie  
between her husband's arms,  
In hope thereby to sleep and rest  
in safety without harms.  
Great cries & grievous groans she heard,  
a voice that sometimes said,  
O thou art she that I must have,  
and will not be denied.   

Tut she then being big with child,  
was for the infant's sake  
Preserved the Spirits power,  
no vengeance could it take.  
The babe unborn did safely keep,  
as God appointed so;  
His mother's body from the fiend,  
hat sought her overthrow.   

But being of her burden eased,  
and safely brought to bed,  
Her cares and griefs began anew,  
and further sorrow bread:  
And of her friends she did entreat,  
desiring them to stay,  
Out of my bed quoth she this night,  
I shall be born away.   

Here comes the Sirit of my love,  
with pale and ghastly face,  
Who till he bears me hence away,  
will not departed this place,  
Alive or dead I am his right,  
and he will surely have,  
In spite of me and all the world,  
what I by promise gave.   

O watch with me this night I pray,  
and see you do not sleep,  
No longer than you be awake,  
my body can you keep  
All promised to do their best,  
yet nothing could suffice.   

At middle of the night to keep  
sad slumber from their eyes.  
So being all full fast asleep,  
to them unknown which way,  
The child bed bed that woeful night  
from thence was born away,  
But to what place no creature knew,  
nor to this day can tell;  
As strange a thing as ever yet  
in any age befell.   

You maids that do desire to love  
and would good husbands choose,  
To him that you have vowed to love,  
by no means do refuse;  
For God that hears all secret oaths,  
will dreadful vengeance take;  
And such that of a wilful vow  
do slender reckoning make.    

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