The Pensive Maid: OR, The Virgin's Lamentation for the loss of her Lover.  
For seven years' space she patiently did bear,  
The absence of her Love, as you shall hear,  
At length sad tidings came that he was slain,  
And that they never more should meet again.  
Tune of, Through the cool shady woods, Or, Deep in Love, etc.  
 
 

WHen sol will cast no light,  
all darkened over,  
And dolesome time of night  
the Skies did cover:  
Down by a River's side  
where Ships are sailing  
There a fair Maid I spied,  
weeping and wailing:   

I stepped unto her strait,  
dearest what grieves thee.  
She answered me and said  
none can relieve me:  
'Tis seven long years and more  
●●nce my Love parted,  
And left me on this shore.  
●●ite broken hearted.   

He promised to return,  
if life was lent him,  
Which makes me sigh & mourn,  
death doth prevent him:  
O that I could but hear  
some tidings from him,  
How it my heart would cheer,  
for all my longing.   

A young man strait she spied:  
like one amazed,  
Which did a token bring  
whereon she gazed;  
Where is my Love? quoth she,  
that comes not near me,  
The Youngman he replied,  
please for to hear me.   
 
 

YOur Love and I did fight  
under one Banner,  
Maintaining England's right,  
purchasing Honour:  
He was a Seaman bold,  
of courage valiant,  
Scorning to be controlled,  
by e'er a Gallant.   

But in a Dreadful Fight  
where Guns did rattle,  
And many a Gallant Wight,  
fell in the Battle:  
His fatal destiny  
near was approaching,  
And summoned him away,  
by Death's Encroaching.   

When he his Death's wound had  
and brains were broken,  
To me these words he said,  
deliver this token,  
To her that hath my heart,  
and is more dearer,  
Wishing her for my sake,  
to love the Bearer.   

And having spoke these words,  
he then declined,  
And in a stream of blood  
his life resigned,  
Leaving me full of care,  
sad news to bear it,  
His death for to declare  
as you now hear it.   

When she the tidings heard,  
with this sad potion,  
She like a stock appeared  
without all motion,  
At length her spirits came  
by grief Inflamed,  
And then with floods of tears  
thus she exclaimed.   

O ye great powers above,  
which life doth lend us  
And thou the God of Love  
that did befriend us  
Why have ye snatched away  
my dearest sweeting  
And by your cruelty  
spoiled our meeting?   

Since that my Love is dead  
whom I did tender  
No comfort I will take  
but life surrender:  
In some unwonted paths  
there will I wander,  
And prove more constant  
then ere was Leander.   

And so vain world farewell  
and all thy pleasure,  
Since he is gone that was  
my chiefest Treasure,  
In the Elysium shades  
there will I hide me  
Until I find my Love  
what ere betid me.