THE CAT'S-SKIN GARLAND.
PART I.
Ye fathers and mothers, and children also,
Come draw near unto me, and soon you shall know
The sense of my ditty, for I dare to say
The like han't been printed this many a day.
The subject which to you I am to relate,
It is of a squire's son of a vast estate,
And the first dear infant his wife to him bare,
It was a young daughter of beauty most rare.
He said to his wife, had this child been a boy,
'Twould have pleased me better, and increased my joy,
If the next be of the same sort I declare,
Of what I'm possess'd she shall have no share.
In twelve months thereafter, this woman, we hear,
Had another daughter of beauty most clear;
And when that her husband knew 'twas a female,
Into a strong bitter passion he fell.
Saying, since this is of the same sort as the first,
In my habitation she shall not be nurst,
Pray let it be sent into the country,
For where I am truly, this child shall not be.
With tears his dear wife to him thus did say,
Husband, be content, I'll send her away,
Then unto the country with speed did it send,
For to be brought up with one who was a friend.
Although that her father hated her so,
Her mother fine learning on her did bestow;
And with a golden locket and robes of the best,
This slighted young damsel was commonly drest.
And when into stature this damsel was grown,
And found by her father she had no love shown,
She cried, before I lie under his frown,
I'm fully resolv'd to range the world round.
