The Wandering Shepherdess of Exeter/Chapter 2

by Anonymous

THE TURISH LADY.

Young virgins all I pray draw near,
A pretty story you shall hear,
It's of a Turkish Lady brave,
Who fell in love with an English slave:
A merchant ship that in Bristol lay,
⟨In⟩ which we sailed from that bay,
⟨By⟩ a Turkish rover o'ertook were we,
⟨And⟩ all of us made slaves to be.

They bound us down in irons strong,
They whip'd and slash'd us all along;
⟨No⟩ tongue can tell, I am certain sure,
What we poor Sailors do endure.
Come sit ye down, and listen a while,
⟨O⟩ Fortune on this Tar did smile:
⟨'Twas⟩ his fortune for to be
⟨Slave⟩ unto a rich Lady.

She drest herself in rich array,
And went to view her slaves one day:
Hearing the moan this young man made,
She went to him, and thus she said:
What countryman, young man, are you?
I'm an Englishman, madam, that's true.
I wish you was some Turk, said she,
I'd ease you of your slavery.

I'd ease you of your slavery work,
If you'll consent to turn a Turk,
And me, myself, to be your wife,
For I do love you as my life.
O no! O no! O no! said he,
Your constant slave, dear Ma'am, I'll be:
I'll rather be burnt at the stake,
Before that I'll my God forsake.

This Lady to her chamber went,
To give her grief and sorrow vent:
Little Cupid with his piercing dart,
Did deeply wound this Lady's heart
She was resolved the next day
To ease him of his slavery,
And own herself to be his wife,
For she did love him as her life.

She drest herself in rich array,
And with this young man sail'd ⟨away,⟩
Until they came to Bristol shore,
With jewels, diamonds, and rich store
Houses and lands she left behind,
And all her slaves who were confin'd;
Unto her parents she bid adieu:
By this you see what love can do.

Now she is turn'd a Christian brave,
And married to her own slave,
Who was in chains and bondage too:
By this you see what love can do.

FINIS.

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T. Johnston, Printer, Falkirk.

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