A WARNING for Married WOMEN:  
Being an Example of Mrs. JANE REYNOLDS (a West-country Woman) born near Plymouth, who having plighted her Troth to a Seaman, was afterwards married to a Carpenter, and at last carried away by a Spiriet, the manner how shall be recited.  
To a West-country Tune, called, The fair Made of Bristol: or, john True, etc.  
 
 

THere dwelled a fair maid in the West,  
of worthy birth and fame,  
Near unto Plimoath stately town,  
Jane Reynolds was her name.   

This ●amsel dearly was beloved,  
by 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 he was,  
James Harris called by name.   

The maid and young man was agreed,  
as time did then allow,  
And to each other secretly  
they made a solemn vow.   

That they would ever faitful be,  
whilst Heaven afforded life;  
He was to be her husband kind,  
and she his faithful 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 faithful lovers be,  
give ear and hearken well,  
And what of them became at last  
I will directly tell:   

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

And after he was from her gone,  
she three yéars for him stayed,  
Expecting of his coming home,  
and kept herself a maid.   

At last news came 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 and wife)  
they lovingly agreed.   

Three pretty children in this time,  
this lovely couple had,  
Which made there father's heart rejoice,  
and mother wondrous glad.   

But as occasion served our time,  
the good man took his way,  
Some three days journey from his home  
intending not to stay.   

But whilst that he was gone away,  
a spirit in the night,  
Came to the window to his wife,  
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 travelled for thy sake,  
‛ at least this seven year.   

‛ And now I am returned again,  
to take thee to my ●ife,  
‛ And thou with me shalt go to See,  
to end all further strife.   

O tempt me not, sweet James (quoth she)  
with thee away to go,  
If I should leave my children small,  
alas, what would they do:   

My husband is a Carpenter,  
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 me,  
‛ But I forsook her golden crown,  
‛ and for the love o●●hee.   

‛ Therefore if thou'●t th● husband forsake,  
‛ and thy children three also,  
‛ I will forgive thee what is past,  
‛ if thou wilt with me go.   

I● I forsake my husband and  
my little children three,  
What means hast thou to bring me to,  
if I should go with thee?   

‛ I have seven ships upon the sea,  
‛ wh●n they are come to ●and,  
‛ Both merriners and merchandise  
‛ shall be at thy command.   

‛ ●he ●hip wherein my love shall sail,  
‛ is glorious to behold,  
‛ The sails shall be of finest silk,  
‛ and the mast of shining gold.   

When he had told her these fair tal●s,  
to love him she began  
Because he was in humane shape,  
much like unto a man.   

And so together away they went,  
from off the English shore,  
And since that time the womankind,  
was never seen no more.   

But when her husband he came home,  
and found his wife was gone,  
And left her three 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 the place,  
the truth of all is so.   

The children now are fatherless,  
●nd left without a guide,  
But yet no doubt the heavenly Powers,  
● will for them well provide.    

London: Printed by and for W. O. and are to be sold by the Booksellers.