4
She said, honoured father, the cause I don’t know,
But men they are fickle, and so let them go.
Tho’ she to her parents did not seem surpris’d,
When she was alone, the tears from her eyes
Like fountains would run; crying, worst of men;
For your sake I will trust no man again.
But I will wander thro’ vallies and groves,
Be witness Heaven, how false is my love!
And still I must love him do all that I can,
I must be a slave to this perjured man.
Rich jewels and treasures she did provide,
Saying, now I will wander whatever betide!
And if my troubled heart does find any rest,
To live in a cottage I’d think myself blest.
So then from her parents away she did go,
Poor soul, with her heart full of sorrow and wo,
Thro’ lonesome fields and woods she did hie,
Then she a small cottage at length did espy.
It was a poor shepherd that in it did dwell,
Seeing the lady sit down near his cell,
He welcom’d her in, and said, sweet lady fair,
Pray what cruel fortune has driven you here?
Then into his cottage tho lady did go,
His wife unto her great kindness did show.
When she with the shepherd some time had been,
Her riches and jewels she gave unto them,
