The two Constant Lovers. Or, A pattern of true Love expressed in this loving Dialogue between Samuel and Sara.  
To a pleasant new tune.  

 
 

As I by chance was walking,  
on a summer's day,  
I heard too Lovers talking,  
and thus they did say:  
With a mournful Ditty,  
she began her tale,  
Which moved my heart with pity,  
her for to bewail.   Sara. 

My love I have desired,  
for to speak with you,  
My heart within was fired,  
Until that I know:  
Whether you were living,  
in good health or ne,  
My heart it was grieved,  
Until I did know.   Samuel. 

What sweet heart what ails thee,  
thus for to complain,  
Let not ill befall thee,  
thou shalt me obtain:  
Though I ●ere absented,  
from thee for a space,  
I'll not be prevented  
of the comely face.   Sara. 

Samuel my own Sweeting,  
I to thee must tell,  
In a heavy greeting,  
what hath us befell:  
My friends do grudge and murmur,  
and to me they say;  
That we must part asunder,  
or else they'll thee destroy.   Samuel. 

My Love be not grieved,  
though thy friends do frown:  
Thou shall be relieved.  
none shall put thee down:  
I for thy sweet favour,  
will adventure much,  
Though thy friends and Brother,  
Do against me grudge.   Sara. 

O my own dear Sweeting,  
I am grieved in heart,  
That I give thee such greeting,  
for to breed thy smart:  
Barnwell my own Brother,  
Captain being he,  
Swears that of all other,  
killed thou shalt be.    

The Second Part.  
 Samuel. 

SAra be not fearful,  
though thy Brother swear;  
Of thyself be careful,  
I no man do fear:  
What care I for Barnwell,  
though he a captain be,  
He shall find that Samuel,  
is as good as he.   Sara. 

O my loving Samuel,  
Look where he doth go,  
'Tis my brother Barnwell,  
now begins our woe:  
Would that we together  
had not met this day.  
O my Judas brother,  
will my life bewray.   

Now comes Captain Barnwell,  
to these Lovers twain,  
And made count that Samuel,  
he could soon have slain:  
But it proved contrary  
to his bloody mine,  
In the sight of Sara,  
conquest he resigned.   

The said he to Samuel,  
what do you make here?  
I'm with my sweetheart Sara.  
put her not in fear:  
Barnwell in a fury  
swore he would prevent,  
His own sister Sara,  
of her hearts content.   Sara. 

O my Brother Barnwell,  
let me you entreat,  
Not to wrong my Samuel,  
in your bloody heat:  
He hath ne'er offended  
you at any time,  
Let me be condemned,  
save his life take mine.   

A says Captain Barnwell,  
Sara thou shalt see,  
Than he called to Samuel,  
come and answer me:  
I thy death hath vowed,  
ere I further go;  
Then sweet Sara bowed,  
saying do net so.   Samuel. 

Samuel being heedful,  
of his tyranny;  
Says Sara be not fearful,  
thou anon shalt see:  
Though thy Brother Barnwel,  
vow my life to spill,  
Thou shalt see that Samuel,  
hath both strength and skill.   

Now these wores being spoken,  
they to Weapons go,  
Samuel gave him a token,  
with a dreadful blow:  
And withal incolsed,  
with his Enemy,  
Then Barnwell he supposed,  
that himself should die.   

Then says loving Samuel,  
are you now content?  
I says Captain Barnwell,  
and withal consent,  
That my Sister Sara  
shall be made thy wife;  
So thou wilt but spare me  
and not take my life.   

Thus in place they ceased  
for the present time,  
Sara much was eased  
of her troubled mind:  
And enjoyed her Samuel,  
to her hearts content,  
And her Brother Barnwel,  
gave his free consent.   

Now these Lovers twain  
live in joy and peace,  
Pray heaven upon them rain  
plenty and increase:  
And to all true Lovers,  
Wheresoe'er they be,  
Aid them with the favour,  
that have such Constancy.    
FINIS.   

LONDON Printed for Fr. Cole T. Vere, and W. Gilberson.