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GOSPORT TRAGEDY.
IN Goſport of late a young damſel did dwell,
For wit and for beauty did many excel;
A young man did court her for to be his dear,
And he by his trade was a ſhip carpenter.
He ſaid, My dear Molly, if you will agree,
And now will conſent, love, to marry me,
Your love it will eaſe me of ſorrow and care,
If you will but marry a ſhip carpenter.
With bluſhes more charming than roſes in June,
She anſwer'd, ſweet William, to wed I'm too young,
For young men are fickle, I ſee very plain,
If a maid ſhe is kind they'll her quickly diſdain.
They'll flatter, & tell how her charms they adore,
If they gain her conſent, they'll care for no more;
The most beautiful woman that ever was born,
If a man has enjoy'd her, her beauty he'll ſcorn.
My charming ſweet Molly, why do you ſay ſo?
Thy beauty is the haven to which I will go;
And if in that channel I chance for to ſteer,
There I will caſt anchor and ſtay with my dear.
I ne'er will be cloy'd with the charms of my love,
My love is as true as the ſweet turtle dove,
And all that I crave is to marry my dear,
And when you're my own, no danger I'll fear.
The life of a virgin, ſweet William I prize,
For marriage brings ſorrow and trouble likewiſe;
I'm loth for to venture, and therefore forbear,
For I will not marry a ſhip carpenter.
