THE
OXFORDSHIRE TRAGEDY.
PART I.
Young virgins fair, of beauty bright,
And you that are of Cupid's fold,
Unto my tragedy draw near,
For it's as true as ever was told.
In Oxford liv'd a lady fair,
The daughter of a worthy knight,
A gentleman that lived near,
Was enamoured with her beauty bright.
Rosanna was this maiden's name,
The flower of fair Oxfordshire
This gentleman a-courting came,
Begging her to be his dear.
Her youthful heart to love inclin'd,
Young Cupid bent his golden bow,
And left his golden dart behind,
Which proved Rosanna's overthrow.
Within the private groves they'd walk,
And valleys where the lambs do play,
Sweet pleasant tales of love they'd talk,
For to pass away the summer's day.
My charming lovely Rose, said he,
See how the pleasant flowers spring,
The pretty birds on every tree,
With melody the groves do ring.
I nothing want for to delight
My soul, but those charms of thine;
Our hearts are fix'd, therefore my dear
Like turtle doves let us combine.
Let me embrace my heart's delight
Within this pleasant bower here,
This bank of violets for our bed,
Shaded with these sweet roses fair.
She said, what can you mean, I pray?
I am a noble lady born,
What signifies my beauty bright,
That's a trifle when my honour's gone.
My parents they will me disdain,
Young virgins they will me deride,
Oh! do not prove my overthrow,
If you love me, stay till I am your bride.
Sweet angel bright, I here do vow,
By all the powers that are divine,
I'll ne'er forsake my dearest dear,
You're the girl that doth my heart confine.
But if you will me still deny,
This sword shall quickly end the woe;
Then from her arms he flew straightway,
In fury out his sword he drew.
Her hands as white as lilies fair,
Most dreadfully she then did wring,
And for the jewel she had lost,
She said, my death's approaching.
It only brings my fatal fall,
It's I that must receive the wound;
The crimson dye forsook his cheek,
At his feet she dropp'd upon the ground.
Thus innocence he did betray,
Full sore against her chaste desire,
True love is a celestial charm,
But the flame of love is a raging fire.
But when her senses did revive,
He many vows and oaths did make,
That he'd for ever true remain,
Her company would not forsake.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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