A Godly Warning for all Maidens by the example of God's Judgements showed upon one Jermans' wIfe of Clifton in the County of Nottingham, who lying in Childbed, was born away and never heard of after.  
The tune is, The Lady's fall.  
 

YOu dainty ●ames so finely framed,  
of beauties 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 Dame she was beloved  
of many in that place  
And many sought in marriage be●  
h●r 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 there was found,  
that he from all the rest,  
Had stole 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  
this true Love'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 month's space,  
and then this Maid began  
To settle love and liking too  
upon another man.  
One Jerman who a widower was,  
her husband needs must be  
Because he was of greater wealth,  
and better in degree.   

Her vows and promise lately made  
to Bateman she denied▪  
And in despite of him and his  
she utterly defied.  
Well then quoth he if it be so  
that you will me forsake,  
And like a false and forsworn wretch  
another husband take.   

Then thou shalt not live one quiet hour  
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 thy sake thou bearest report,  
what torments I endured.   
 

But mark how Bateman 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 wat  
great moan was made therefore  
He hanged h●mself 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 at night 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.   

But she then being big with Child  
was for the Infant's sake,  
Preserved from 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  
that sought her overthrow.   

But being of her burden eas d,  
and safely brought to bed,  
Her care and grief began anew  
and further sorrow bred.  
And of her friends she did entreat  
desiring them to stay,  
Out of bed quoth she this night  
I shall be bern away.   

Here comes the spirit 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  
In middle of the night to keop  
sad slumber from their eyes.   

So being all full fast asleep  
to them unknown which way.  
The child-bed-woman 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 Maidens that 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.  
On such that of a wilful vow  
do slender reckoning make.    

Printed for F, Coles, Tho. Vere, and W. Gilbertson.