DRAW near you young Gallants, while I do unfold A tragical story as ever was told; It's of a young couple whose hearts were link'd fast, 'Till Death broke asunder the contract at last.

Near Exeter city this couple did dwell, The lass was so pretty that few could excel, Most comely in features, both proper and tall, And constant in heart the best virtue of all.

But Cupid who cunningly fixed his dart, Had shot this fair maid and wounded her heart: With his cunning arrow, he'd wounded her so, For love it will creep where it dare not well go.

A brisk young shopkeeper that lived hard by, Would often on this damsel be casting an eye: She often with smiles upon him did the same; They both were possess'd with a secret flame.

But love, which would then be no longer conceal'd, By this loving couple was quickly reveal'd: As they one evening did meet in a grove, This young man began to discover his love.

Well met, my dear mistress, the joy of my heart, The height of perfection in every part, That love which I long in my heart have conceal'd, Shall here to my dearest be quickly reveal'd.

If you'll be so cruel my suit to deny, My amorous jewel, for you, I must die; My heart is a bleeding, and lies at your feet, Then kill me or cure me, as you think it meet.

The damsel appeared like one struck quite dumb, While blushes like flashes of lightning did come: At length she reply'd there's no trusting young men, And what would you have me to answer you then?

My heart, my dearest, shall constant remain, The thoughts of false lovers I freely disdain; May I bid all pleasures for ever adieu, My dearest, when first I prove false unto you.

This beautiful lady no longer could hide Her tender affection, but freely reply'd, My heart is your own, and shall be till I die; Then into his arms like lightning did fly.

A ring of pure gold from her finger she took, And just in the middle the same she then broke, Says she, as a token of love you this take, And this is a pledge I will keep for your sake.

With hugging and kissing in each other's arms, They both were possessed with capricious charms; And from that same minute they constant did prove, And loyal as e'er did the dear turtle dove.

But fortunate was cruel, and on them did frown, Their love to their parents was quickly made known; So they to their daughter were sharp and severe, She being an heiress to five hundred a year.

They privately sent this young damsel away, To London, that she with her uncle might stay, Thinking in short time that her love would abate, But true lovers will not be serv'd at that rate.

Some time with her uncle this damsel did stay, While she did in private a letter convey To her loyal lover and joy of her heart, Whom covetous parents did cruelly part.

But when her true lover her letter did read, He sent her another in answer with speed, Saying, the whole world shall not us divide, For I will come unto thee, whatever betide.

Her true lover's answer she never reciev'd, For which she lamentingly sighed and griev'd; Saying, hath my love forsaken me quite, O now all my pleasures have taken their flight.

Sure he was too loyal his love to deceive, Then here I in sorrow no longer will grieve, But now to fair Exeter I will repair, Tho' my shadow is here, my heart it is there.

This damsel, without any longer delay, For Exeter city she then took her way; And that very minute for London he came, In hopes for to meet with his true love again.

But still cruel Fortune upon them did frown, The one coming up, and the other going down, And then on the road they each other did miss, O who can discover the sorrow of this!

Now when they found that their labour was lost, And both their designs by misfortune were crost, Without any stay they returned again, With their hearts both possess'd with invincible pain.

Thus three times together each other they miss'd While trouble and sorrow their hearts did possess: This innocent damsel her heart then did break, And dy'd on the road for her true lover's sake.

The inn where this damsel that night had decreas'd, This young man her lover came to as a guest: They asked this young man what news was abroad, If he knew that young damsel that dy'd on the road.

The corps he desir'd then quickly to see, Which when he beheld, he cry'd, ah woe is me! My long long travel now an end must have, My dearest and I'll be both laid in one grave.

A thousand times over as weeping he lay, He kiss'd her cold lips that were colder than clay; And that very night there his heart he did break, And like a true lover he dy'd for her sake.

You covetous parents, wherever you be, Consider the same, and lament now with me; Let not gold nor silver true lovers divide, Lest dreadful judgments unto you betide.