The wonder of wonders, or, the strange Birth in Hampshire.  
Being an exact, true, and perfect relation of one A.B. living in a Country parish near the Town of Rumsey in Hampshire: relating how the said person was strangely brought to bed the 18th. of November last; with a live Toad, a terrible Serpent, and a dead Child, having some part of its head and face, and other parts devoured by the serpent in the Mothers Womb, where at this strange birth the Midwife and other Women sounded at the delivery of the said Monsters; but some of the other Women being more bolder in spirit took the Toad and Serpent and burned them, and butted the child in a decent manner: the said Midwife and other women have testified for the truth of this relation.  
Tune of, My bleeding heart.  By T. L. 
 


ATtend good Christians young & old,  
Observe what hear I shall unfold,  
A strange example i'll rehearse,  
The like was never put in verse.   

'Tis such a wonder strange indeed,  
Would make a stony heart to bleed,  
When as I have the same declared,  
You'l say the like was never heard.   

strange wonders God to us doth sand,  
For to make us our lives amend,  
But some so unbelieving be,  
They'l not believe unless they see.   

All in the West of England fair,  
Near unto Rumsey in Hampshire,  
At Shervel Parish called by name,  
From thence this true relation came.    

The second Part,  
To the same Tune.  

IN this same place which I you tell,  
An honest man and his wife did dwell,  
They loved each other very dear,  
As by relation doth appear.   

This Woman she with child did prove,  
By her husband whom she did love,  
He on her had a special care,  
All things in order to prepare.   

Her time being come she called in hast,  
In travail she then fell at last,  
The neighbouring women came with speed,  
For to help her in time of need.   

The Midwife she came with good will,  
To use her chiefest art and skill,  
Some present help for to procure,  
To her that torment did endure.   

The child-bed woman with pain and woe,  
Much misery did undergo,  
In bringing forth of such a birth,  
Which almost brought her unto death.   

The first monster which came to sight,  
Was a live toad, which did them fright,  
It sprauled and creeped all about,  
Which put the women all in doubt.   

It had four legs as it is  told,  
A loathsome creature to behold,  
In ugly shape it did appear,  
The like no woman e're did bare.   

The next that came unto their view,  
As for certain it is just and true,  
It was a Serpent and a dead child,  
Whose life the Serpent did beguile.   

For why some of it's face and head,  
By this monster was devoured,  
And it's body injured full sore,  
The like was never seen before.   

The Serpent had ears like a big,  
Which was considerable big,  
It had a long great tail likewise,  
With a pair of wings, and eke two eyes.   

This Monster joined to the childs side,  
Which they endeavoured to divide,  
But before they could bring it to pass,  
The Midwife sunk down in the place.   

But other Women in the room,  
Who having stouter hearts then some,  
Without delay they did contrive,  
To burn these 2 Monsters alive.   

Into the fire they did them throw,  
whereas they burnt them with much ado.  
And there they were consumed quiter,  
To dust and ashes in their sight.   

The poor weak woman and Midwife too,  
For to recover had much a do,  
The thoughts of this same terrible thing,  
Much grief and sickness did them bring.   

Thus have you heard me briefly tell,  
This judgement which of late befell,  
unto this woman in Hampshire,  
The like before did near appear.   

Then let us serve the Lord on high,  
And praise his name continually,  
Let us keep still the right path-way,  
Then we his blessings shall enjoy.     
FINIS.  

Printed for J. Hose, and E. Oliver, and are to be sold at their shops, in Holbourn, and on Snow-hill.