Bonny bell (1)/Bonny Betsy Taylor

BONNY BETSY TAYLOR.

⁠In Hygate, as I now do tell.
One Betsy Taylor there did dwell,
Who was a beauty of renown.
But nowiher roses are pull'd down.

⁠With Mr. Hooker she did reside,
A young man wish'd her for his bride:
They fix'd upon the wedding day
But all their joys are fled away.

⁠Her brother was a wicked blade,
This poor young girl her did persuade
To rob her Master—wick'd deed!
Which made her tender heart to bleed.

⁠Two hundred pounds in goods they stole<
O now have mercy on their soul!
For they were taken and ⟨cast⟩ to die
. And in the dreadful cells they lie!

⁠When at the bar this maid stood
The tears ran down just like a flood
The roses from her cheeks were fled.
She droop'd with heart as cold as lead

⁠When to the bar, poor soul, was brought.
For mercy on her knees she fought!
The Judge unto her then did cry,
There is no help, for you must die.

⁠When from the bar they did her take.
With grief her heart was like to break;
Her sweetheart he was in the Court,
His dearest girl for to support.

⁠When, back to prison they did go,
And they, must part—O fatal woe!
The scene of grief no tongue can tell,
When she was led into the cell.

⁠With aching heart, she now does lie,
Until the day that she sust die;
When drest in white from top to toe;.
To meet her fate this maid will go.

⁠So maidens now take warning all,
Reflect upon her wretched fall,
And when you hear the dead bell toll,
Fall on your knees, pray for her soul.

⁠O! by her death ⟨a⟩ warning take;
Before with you it be too late;
May she get it strength to meet the blow,
When she sinks to the shades below.