Kentshire tragedy, or, The constant lovers overthrow/The ploughman's love to the farmer's daughter

The PLOUGHMAN'S LOVE to the FARMER'S DAUGHTER.

WHEN first a-courting I did go,
⁠I lov'd a fair maid as my life,
I often told her I did her love, I did her love,
⁠but I never could gain her for my wife.

I serv'd her father winters seven,
⁠from rising sun till nine at night,
Duly and truly as my life, as my life,
⁠but I ne'er could gain my heart’s delight.

I told her father secretly,
⁠his daughter I did daily prize,
He lock'd her up in a room so high, in, &c.
⁠then first began my miseries.

I went to my love's chamber door,
⁠where oft-times I had been before.
For to let her know and understand, and &c.
⁠I was going to some foreign shore.

On shipboard I then went straightaway,
⁠and sailed for fair Flander's shore;
I little thought what should me befal, I &c.
⁠that I ne'er should see my love more.

When to fair Flanders I did come,
⁠no rest nor comfort could I find,
Tho' I did it and with glass in hand, glass, &c.
⁠still my true love ran in my mind,

I took a pistol in my hand;
⁠and charged it couragiously,
I shot a ball into fair England, into fair. &c.
⁠where I thought my true love might be.

When to fair England I return'd,
⁠I met her father in the street,
My daughter dear is dead, said he, dead, &c.
⁠all for the sake of loving thee.

I went to my love's chamber door,
⁠where oft-times, I had been before.
There sprung a light from my love’s clothes,
⁠just like the morning sun when rose.

All young men who a courting go,
⁠who never made the bells to ring,
Go no more into shady groves, into shady &c.
⁠for to hear the sweet nightingale sing.