Nature's Wonder?  
OR, 〈…〉 ●●●ount how the Wife of one John Wate●man an Ostler in the Parish of Fisherton-Anger, near Sali●bury, was Delivered of strange Monster upon the 26 th'. of October 1664. which lived until the 27 th'. of the same Month. It had two Heads, four Arms, and two Legs. The Heads standing contrary each to the other; and the Loins, Hips and Legs Issueing out of the middle, betwixt both. They were both perfect to the Navel, and there joined in one, being but one Sex, which was the Female. She had another Child born before it (of the Female Sex) which is yet living, and is a very comely Child in all proportions. This is Attested for truth, by several Persons which were eye witnesses.  
The Tune is, London Apprentice: Or, Jovial Bachelor.  
 
 


COme take a view good People all,  
observe it well with heed  
A stranger Wonder Nature did  
ne'er frame of Humane Séed;  
A Monster of misshapen Form  
I here to you present,  
By this Example you may learn  
to fear God's Punishment.   

Strange Wonders hath been lately shown  
within our English Nation;  
But none so strange as this was known,  
you'll find by this Relation;  
Then give attention to the same,  
I'll show you how it was,  
To tell the truth it is no shame,  
for thus it came to pass.   

At Fisherton near Salisbury,  
a Husbandman doth dwell  
John Waterman so called is he,  
his Neighbours all can tell;  
It was his Wife which did bring forth  
this strange misshapen Thing:  
From East to West, from North to South  
the News thereof will ring.   

It was but in October last,  
the Six and twenty day,  
No longer since 'twas done and passed:  
I can for certain say  
This Woman was Delivered well,  
and with her Life she scap't  
Of this same Monster I'll tell  
how strangely 'twas Mishapped.    

The se●ond Pa●t,  
to the same Tune.  

TWo Heads it had, grew opposite,  
the Picture plain appears  
With all proportions fair in sight,  
Mouths, Noses, Eyes and Ears,  
Two Bodies shaped perfectly,  
down to the Navel seen,  
And there they joined wondrously,  
the Hips and Legs between.   

The bodies being joined in one,  
were of the female Sex,  
The like thereof was never known,  
they strangely did Connex;  
Four Arms were on the body placed,  
it had of Legs but two;  
Thus Nature had her work defaced,  
which she doth seldom do.   

The Women they were all afraid  
to see this fearful sight,  
〈◊〉 eke the Midwife much dismayed  
when as it came to light,  
But most of all the Mother weak  
her grievious Pains was much,  
She had not power long time te speak  
her sorrow it was such.   

Two days and nights this Monster lived  
in woeful misery,  
The Parents they were sadly grieved,  
the Neighbours came to see;  
At length it died, and was conveyed  
for Chyurgeons to Dissect,  
And what Report thereof had said,  
they found it in Effect.   

Another Babe this Mother sad  
brought forth at the same birth,  
A comelier Ch●ld on woman had  
upon the face o'th' Earth;  
Nature in that did make amends,  
proportioning each Part;  
She may bring joy unto her Friends,  
and cheer her Mother's heart.   

Afflictions God doth sometimes send  
to Parents for their sin,  
When they will not their lives amend,  
then doth the Lord begin  
With judgements for to humble them,  
and make them feel his hand;  
O turn unto the Lord in time,  
for none can Him withstand.   

Our God hath many ways to make  
vile Sinners come to shame:  
If once they do his Laws forsake,  
and wrong his holy Name,  
A thousand judgements (worse than this)  
he on that People brings,  
That will not mend what is amiss,  
but act such heinous Sins.   

Then Parents all Example take,  
at all times seek the Lord;  
Fruit of your bodies he can make  
by your own selves abhorred:  
Your Children which should be a joy  
and comfort in the end,  
The Lord in fury will destroy,  
if you do him Offend.    
FINIS.   

A true Relation of this strange and wonderful MONSTER.  
AT Fisherton-Anger, near the City of Salisbury (called New Saram) near to the sign of the Angel, Liveth one John Waterman an Ostler, His Wife (whose name is Mary) was Delivered (on Wednesday the 26th. of October 1664. about two a Clock in the Morning) first of a very comely Daughter (which is yet living) And after of a strange Monster which was form Triangular, two Heads (at either end one) four Eyes, two Mouths four Arms, two Stomaches, And joined together at the Navel; and below that two Legs and Thighs, with Nature's Passage (as other Female children have) and a fundament: They were Baptised at 3 a Clock the same Morning, the first was named Eefelet: and the Monsters were named Martha and Mary; they had very comely faces, and both received Sustenance, but not together: This Monster lived two days and then died, and is Imbalmed, and to be brought to London to be seen. There hath been both Lords, Ladies, and much Gentry to see it; The Father (bring a poor man) had twenty pound given him the first day, by persons of Quality.  
I Josiah Smith, Practitioner of Physic, saw them all three alive.  
 
With Allowance,  
Novemb. 12th. 1664.   

Printed for E. Andrews at White-Lyon in Pie-corner.